Senior Lawyer | Ethics and Practice

The Law Society of South Australia; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Work from home two days per week

Job summary

The Law Society of South Australia is seeking an experienced Senior Lawyer to join the Ethics and Practice Unit, providing trusted legal expertise across regulatory, advisory, educational and statutory functions.

You will lead complex ethics matters, support the Director, and contribute to policy, investigations and professional standards with professional leadership and discretion.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated litigation, dispute resolution or regulatory experience with strong professional judgement.
• Experience in professional conduct, regulatory, investigative or advisory work is highly regarded.
• Eligibility for or holding a SA Category C unrestricted practising certificate on commencement.
• Post-admission experience typically five or more years.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality advice on legal ethics, professional obligations, and practice issues.
• Analyse complex regulatory issues and prepare well-reasoned reports and submissions.
• Support statutory functions under the Legal Practitioners Act, including disciplinary processes.
• Represent the Society in court proceedings as needed.
• Develop policies, guidance materials and thought leadership for the profession.
• Design and deliver education and professional development programs.

Skills

Litigation experience

Dispute resolution

Regulatory practice

Professional conduct

Regulatory frameworks

Analytical skills

Sound judgment

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Communication skills

Education

Category C unrestricted practising certificate (SA)

5+ years PQE

Job description

Adelaide | Full-time | Flexible working options

At the Law Society of South Australia, we support and strengthen the legal profession while advancing the law, upholding ethical and professional standards and serving the public interest.

We are seeking an experienced legal practitioner to join our Ethics and Practice Unit as Senior Lawyer - Ethics and Practice.

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced legal practitioner to apply their expertise beyond traditional private practice and contribute directly to the standards, regulation and future development of the South Australian legal profession.

The position will particularly appeal to experienced litigators and practitioners with backgrounds in dispute resolution, professional conduct or regulatory matters who are seeking to apply their advocacy, analytical and problem-solving skills in a broader public-interest environment.

Working closely with the Director (Ethics and Practice), you will provide trusted legal expertise across a broad range of advisory, regulatory, educational and statutory functions. As a senior and experienced legal practitioner within the Unit, you will provide professional guidance and support to colleagues, contribute to operational and strategic initiatives and act on behalf of the Director when required.

The ability to navigate complex and sensitive matters with professionalism and confidence is essential.

The position will demonstrate professional leadership through expertise, sound judgment and influence, and will play a key role in supporting the Director and the Society’s regulatory function.

About the position

As a Senior Lawyer within the Ethics and Practice Unit, you will work across a diverse and intellectually challenging portfolio spanning regulatory, advisory, educational and policy functions.

This includes:

Providing considered, high-quality advice on legal ethics, professional obligations and practice issues.

Analysing complex legal and regulatory issues and preparing well-reasoned advice and reports.

Supporting statutory functions under the Legal Practitioners Act, including disciplinary, trust accounting and regulatory processes.

Participating in court proceedings concerning legal practitioner regulation, investigation or discipline, where the Society appears as applicant or interested party.

Applying litigation, advocacy and legal analytical skills to complex regulatory, disciplinary and professional conduct matters.

Contributing to investigations, compliance activities, and practice supervision matters.

Developing policies, guidance materials and thought leadership for the profession.

Designing and delivering education and professional development programs.Preparing submissions, papers, and materials for senior committees and stakeholders.

Additional responsibilities include:

Supporting the Director (Ethics and Practice) in the effective operation of the Ethics and Practice Unit.

Acting as a senior legal resource within the Unit and providing professional guidance, mentoring and support to colleagues.

Contributing to operational and strategic initiatives that support the ongoing development of the Unit.

The successful applicant will also provide guidance and support to colleagues and contribute to team capability.

About you

You are an experienced legal practitioner, ideally with a background in litigation, dispute resolution, professional conduct or regulatory practice, who brings strong legal analytical skills, sound judgment and a commitment to professional standards.

You will bring:

1. Demonstrated litigation, dispute resolution or regulatory experience, together with the ability to analyse complex legal issues and exercise sound professional judgement. Experience in professional conduct, regulatory, investigative or advisory work will be highly regarded.

2. Applicants must hold, or be eligible to hold, a South Australian Category C unrestricted practising certificate upon commencement

3. Demonstrated post-admission experience ordinarily consistent with five or more years PQE or equivalent capability.

4. The ability to analyse complex issues and exercise sound, independent judgment,

5. An interest in legal ethics, professional standards and regulatory frameworks,

6. The capability to manage sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and professionalism,

7. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to translate complex concepts clearly and persuasively,

8. Strong stakeholder engagement skills and a collaborative approach.

9. Demonstrated ability to provide professional guidance, mentoring and support within a legal team.

10. The confidence and judgment to act with delegated authority and support the Director on complex, sensitive and high-risk matters.

Experience in a regulatory, disciplinary or investigative environment will be highly regarded.

Intellectually engaging work - complex, varied and far from routine.

Purpose-driven position contributing to the legal profession and public interest.

Breadth of work across regulation, policy, education and advisory.

Engagement with senior stakeholders including the Supreme Court, Attorney-General and key regulatory committees.

The opportunity to act as a senior legal adviser within a specialist regulatory team and contribute to the future development of the Ethics and Practice Unit.

Supportive, respectful and values-driven team culture.

Professional development and strong sector exposure.

Flexible working arrangements including working from home two days per week.

Additional information

Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.

Appointment is subject to a National Criminal History Check.

Personal information will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Please note that while this position is predominantly office-based during standard business hours, occasional early morning, evening and other out-of-hours work may be required to support committees, professional education programs, stakeholder meetings and Society events.

Employment is subject to a satisfactory Australian National Character Check.