Senior Lawyer - Commercial

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

Job summary

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.

Working alongside leading government lawyers, you will build trusted client relationships, develop junior practitioners and work on matters of national significance.

Qualifications

• Extensive legal experience with complex or sensitive matters.
• Ability to supervise and develop junior practitioners.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality legal services to Commonwealth clients.
• Provide strategic legal advice on national‑importance matters.
• Support procurement, contracting and governance in major projects.

Skills

Legal research

Client engagement

Leadership

Time management

Negotiation

Education

LLB or equivalent

Admission to practice (Australia)

Job description

Australian Attorney-General's Department – Sydney NSW

1d ago , from Australian Government Solicitor

• 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.

• 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 below.

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.

Essential requirements:

• 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
• Australian Citizenship.

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.

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.

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***.