Senior Legal Counsel - Disputes

City of Moreton Bay; Strathpine; Hybrid; AUD 189,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid, flexible working

Local parking on site

Job summary

City of Moreton Bay invites applications for a Senior Legal Counsel - Disputes based in Strathpine. The role leads a diverse portfolio of disputes, regulatory enforcement, insurance and strategic risk matters, whilst advising senior leaders and shaping Council decisions.

You will mentor junior lawyers, work across multiple courts and tribunals, and contribute to the broader legal function of one of Australia’s largest local governments.

Qualifications

• Provide strategic legal advice on disputes, litigation and risk management.
• Lead and manage a diverse portfolio of pre‑litigation and litigation matters.
• Coordinate and mentor junior lawyers within a high‑performing in‑house team.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on disputes, litigation and risk management across the organisation.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of pre‑litigation and litigation matters.
• Lead and coordinate Council's response to complex and high‑profile disputes and regulatory issues.

Job description

• TRP from $207,505 pa (inclusive of 12% super and leave loading)
• 76 hour fortnight
• 5 weeks annual leave
• Hybrid, flexible working environment, including some work from home days
• Location: Strathpine

Join City of Moreton Bay as a Senior Legal Counsel - Disputes, and help shape and enhance our communities for today and tomorrow.

We’re excited to be growing our in‑house legal team. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced disputes lawyer to lead and manage a diverse portfolio of litigation, regulatory, enforcement, insurance and strategic risk matters while contributing to the broader legal function of one of Australia's largest local governments.

As part of the collaborative and high-performing legal team, you will work closely with senior leaders across the organisation to help resolve complex legal issues, manage organisational risk and protect Council's interests.
At the City of Moreton Bay, your work will help shape decisions that affect the community every day. You’ll step into a trusted advisory role, working at the heart of strategic, legal and operational decision‑making within Australia’s third-largest council.

About the Opportunity

In this team, no two days are the same. You will:

• Provide strategic legal advice on disputes, litigation, regulatory enforcement and risk management matters across the organisation.
• Manage a diverse portfolio of pre‑litigation and litigation matters, including planning and development enforcement, contractual disputes, negligence claims, property disputes, regulatory proceedings and judicial review matters.
• Advise on the early identification, assessment and resolution of disputes to minimise legal, financial and reputational risk.
• Lead and coordinate Council's response to complex and high‑profile disputes, incidents and sensitive legal matters.
• Advise on insurance, liability, indemnity and recovery issues, including public liability and property damage claims.
• Support Council's regulatory functions by advising on enforcement strategies, statutory powers, prosecutions and compliance matters.
• Manage proceedings across a range of jurisdictions, including the Supreme Court, District Court, Planning and Environment Court, Magistrates Court, QCAT and other tribunals.
• Instruct and manage external solicitors, counsel, investigators, experts and insurers.
• Develop and implement strategies for the early resolution of disputes through negotiation, mediation and other alternative dispute resolution processes.
• Represent Council's interests in mediations, settlement conferences and alternative dispute resolution processes.
• Provide legal support and strategic advice on disputes arising from Council projects and operations and other sensitive organisational matters.
• Prepare legal opinions, reports and briefings for senior management, executive leadership and Council.
• Develop and maintain dispute resolution frameworks, litigation protocols and risk management practices.
• Monitor emerging legal risks, trends and legislative developments affecting local government operations.
• Mentor junior lawyers and contribute to the ongoing development of Council's legal capability.

While the primary focus of this role is disputes, litigation and risk management, you will also have opportunities to contribute across the broader spectrum of local government legal practice as business needs require.

Position Description - Senior Legal Counsel

About you

This is an exciting opportunity to join a large and growing in‑house legal team during a period of transformation and expansion.

You’ll be part of a collaborative, people‑focused environment where you’ll be supported to develop your skills, strengthen relationships across the business and contribute to delivering contemporary, best‑practice legal services.

You will:

• Lead a diverse and complex portfolio of disputes across one of Queensland's largest local governments.
• Manage matters spanning litigation, enforcement, crisis management, insurance and strategic risk.
• Work directly with senior leaders on high‑profile and sensitive matters.
• Gain exposure to a wide range of courts, tribunals and dispute resolution forums.
• Influence strategic decisions that have lasting impacts on the organisation and community.
• Build expertise across multiple areas of local government law while specialising in disputes and litigation.
• Have opportunities to broaden your practice across planning, property, governance, commercial and other local government legal disciplines.

Local Government offers a diverse and interesting portfolio of work, giving you exposure to a broad range of legal areas while deepening your expertise. If you’ve ever considered a move into Local Government, this is an ideal time to join us as we grow.

Why City of Moreton Bay?

What you do with your life matters. It’s the same with your career.

We’re the third-largest council in Australia and one of the fastest-growing areas. As Australia’s newest city, we’re building something that’s never been done before: a new kind of city, inspired and empowered by a new kind of council.

This is your opportunity to develop skills and experience in a truly unique place, at a truly unique point in time.

At City of Moreton Bay, we’re focused on the vital work we do today. But we’re also focused on the future. On what can be – for our city, our Council and your career.

Here’s what you’ll love about a career with us:

• See it. To build a city of the future, first, you have to see it. The polycentric city we’re building will bring greater prosperity, sustainability and affordability to our city. This is your chance to contribute to something’s never been done before.
• Shape it. You’ll get hands‑on in a rewarding career, serving and strengthening our communities for today and tomorrow. Our work is diverse, interesting and it matters – and it’s yours to shape and own.
• Live it. Contribute to the city you and your family want to live in and enjoy the lifestyle you deserve. And if you don’t live here, you’ll still find pride and connection in so many ways with our successful, resilient team.

You’ll also enjoy a range of other benefits:

• Advance your skills and career through our Study, Training And Research Scheme (STARS).
• Make your pay go further with salary packaging options on novated leases, superannuation payments, smartphones and devices.
• Prioritise your health and wellbeing with discounted health insurance, free annual flu vaccinations and our Fitness Passport Program.
• Get support when you and your family need it most with our 24/7 confidential counselling service, leader support hotline and Mates in Construction program.
• Our Strathpine office has local parking on site and is close to public transport networks, making for an easy commute.

Ready for a career that matters?

Join City of Moreton Bay, and help shape our city of the future.

As part of the recruitment process, applicants will be required to undergo a National Criminal History Check.

City of Moreton Bay extends across the traditional lands of the Jinibara, Kabi Kabi, and Turrbal peoples, and we acknowledge and pay respects to Traditional Custodians. We believe diversity of thought, background and experience creates better outcomes for our people and communities, and we strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of all ages, genders, abilities and cultural backgrounds.

Your Future City. See it. Shape it. Live It.