Senior Lawyer

Australian Attorney-General's Department; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid work

Competitive package with 15.4% super

Generous leave entitlements

Job summary

Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) within the Attorney-General's Department is seeking Senior Lawyers to join our Commercial team in Sydney and other capitals. You will advise Commonwealth agencies on major projects, provide strategic advice, and handle high-profile matters that shape Australian law.

We value experience in ICT, privacy, procurement, and public sector advocacy. The roles offer flexible, hybrid working and opportunities to mentor junior lawyers while contributing to national

Qualifications

• Extensive legal experience with proven ability to develop precise legal arguments and written advice in complex matters.
• Ability to supervise and grow capability in junior legal practitioners.
• Proven capacity to work in a time-recording environment and meet tight deadlines.
• Willing to obtain and maintain NV2 security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality legal services to Commonwealth clients and contribute to practice success.
• Contribute to nationally significant, high-profile, complex matters and transactions.
• Provide excellent client service and maintain strong client relationships.
• Collaborate with a national, high-performing legal team and engage in pro bono work.

Job description

Australian Attorney-General's Department – Sydney CBD NSW

• EL1 (Senior Associate equivalent) and EL2 (Senior Associate/Special Counsel equivalent)
• Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth
• Ongoing (permanent) and non-ongoing (12 months) opportunities - Full-time

Work on legal matters that shape Australia
We are seeking high-performing lawyers to join our Commercial team as a Senior Lawyer. In these roles, you will work on significant and often high-profile matters, provide strategic advice to Commonwealth clients, and contribute to legal outcomes that influence government decision-making, public administration and the development of Australian law.

Working alongside some of Australia’s leading government lawyers, you will have the opportunity to build trusted client relationships, develop junior practitioners and work on matters of national significance.

If you are looking for intellectually challenging work, direct client engagement, and the opportunity to contribute to matters of national significance, we encourage you to apply.

About the roles

As a Senior Lawyer, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality legal services to Commonwealth clients and contributing to the success of the practice. Our commercial lawyers provide specialist commercial legal advice to agencies across the Commonwealth. We are engaged by our clients to provide legal advice on many of the Australian Government’s largest projects and commercial transactions. Our work is diverse, and includes advising on policies and programs that are of national importance, such as:

• nationally significant energy and infrastructure projects
• cutting edge technology, privacy and IP projects with whole of Australian government implications
• procurement and contracting to support Australia’s national security and defence forces
• integrity, legal process and probity advice to government at the highest levels.

We are particularly interested to hear from candidates with experience advising on ICT projects, privacy (especially privacy impact assessments), major government projects, construction and grants. We are also very interested to hear from candidates with broader commercial and corporate law experience.

In these roles you will:

• contribute to the Commonwealth’s most important, high profile and complex national transactions, programs and reforms
• be part of a supportive, collegiate and high performing national legal practice
• provide a high standard of client service and maintain strong client relationships
• work as one of the Australian Government’s most trusted legal advisors and
• have the opportunity to support community interests though pro bono work. For more information about our pro bono work, refer to our website.

For further information about the requirements of the roles, please refer to the role descriptions available on our career portal.

About us

Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) is the Australian Government's central legal practice and trusted legal adviser. As part of the Attorney-General's Department, AGS advises and represents the Commonwealth on some of Australia's most complex, significant and high-profile legal matters.

Operating as a fee-for-service legal practice, AGS competes with private sector providers for the majority of its work while delivering legal services that support the national interest.

With more than 550 lawyers and approximately 800 professionals across Australia, AGS combines the scale and sophistication of leading private practice with the opportunity to contribute to outcomes that shape government, public administration and the development of Australian law.

Why join AGS?

At AGS, you’ll have the opportunity to build an exceptional legal career while contributing to outcomes that matter to Australia.

• National impact: Work on legal matters that influence government decision-making, public policy and the administration of law across Australia
• Complex and challenging work: Advise on significant, sensitive and often precedent-setting matters
• Professional growth: Work alongside recognised experts and access ongoing professional development, mentoring and career progression opportunities
• Flexible working: Benefit from flexible and hybrid working arrangements that support both professional and personal commitments
• Competitive employment conditions: Enjoy an attractive remuneration package, 15.4% superannuation and generous leave entitlements.

Few legal practices can offer the opportunity to work on matters that combine legal complexity, public impact and direct engagement with government decision-makers.

In addition, AGS lawyers have the opportunity to work on matters and projects for a range of organisations as part of AGS’s pro bono program.

About you

We are interested in lawyers who combine strong technical legal expertise with sound judgement, leadership capability and a commitment to client service.

• extensive legal experience of relevance with a proven ability to develop precise legal arguments and prepare high-quality written legal advice in complex or sensitive matters
• demonstrated capacity to supervise and grow capability in junior legal practitioners
• proven record or a demonstrated capacity to work in a time recording environment
• proven ability to work well under pressure; strong interpersonal, persuasive, and creative problem-solving skills
• entry in the Register of Practitioners of the High Court of Australia or the roll of barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory
• willing to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) level, or higher if required

Highly desirable:

• generally, a minimum of 5 years’ PQE for Executive Level 1 roles and a minimum of 8 years’ PQE for Executive Level 2 roles in one or more of the practice areas described above
• a detailed knowledge of the Commonwealth legal environment and experience in advising and/or representing the Commonwealth (or other government)
• professional standing in the Commonwealth public sector and/or legal profession
• strong academic results
• knowledge of additional legal areas applicable to the team and practice
• proven ability to collaborate with clients to achieve outcomes.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role further, please contact Kim Da Pozzo, Human Resources Business Partner on 02 6253 7***.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

AGS is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and high-performing workforce. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and are committed to providing an accessible recruitment process.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI) in AGS recruitment

We may use AI tools to support administrative tasks during recruitment processes. For further information about the use of AI in AGS recruitment, please visit our careers portal.

AGS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.