Senior Legal Counsel | Local Government Expert

Wyndham City Council; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 119,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Wyndham City Council is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to provide practical, timely and risk-based legal advice across the organisation, focusing on Victorian local government requirements.

Based in Werribee with potential for hybrid work, you will manage disputes, mentor a junior lawyer and coordinate with external providers while upholding high standards of corporate governance and risk management.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of qualifications and substantial specialist experience.
• Sound knowledge of Australian contract, commercial and/or administrative law.
• Demonstrated experience providing practical, timely and solution-focused legal advice, ideally within local government or a comparable organisation.
• Experience managing disputes, tribunal, court or regulatory matters, including working with external legal providers and counsel.
• The ability to assess complex legal issues, identify risks and provide clear, commercially aware advice.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build relationships, negotiate and influence stakeholders across the organisation.
• Experience mentoring or providing professional guidance to junior legal practitioners.
• A current Australian practising certificate and driver's licence are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear, practical legal advice across Council on a range of operational, statutory, regulatory and commercial matters.
• Advise on contract, commercial and administrative law issues, including the legal requirements relevant to Victorian local government.
• Support disputes, tribunal, court and regulatory matters, including briefing and managing external legal providers and counsel.
• Work with the General Counsel on complex, sensitive and high-risk legal matters and organisation-wide issues.
• Identify legal risks and help Council staff develop legally sound, risk-based solutions.
• Mentor and support the junior lawyer in legal research, drafting, matter strategy and professional development.

Skills

Legal advisory

Risk assessment

Communication

Mentoring

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Job description

Wyndham City Council is seeking an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to provide practical, timely and risk-based legal advice across the organisation, focusing on Victorian local government requirements.

Based in Werribee with potential for hybrid work, you will manage disputes, mentor a junior lawyer and coordinate with external providers while upholding high standards of corporate governance and risk management.