Senior Solicitor

Department of Families Fairness and Housing; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Solicitor in the Public Law and Litigation Team will provide timely legal advice and representation with minimal supervision, to key stakeholders, focusing on strategic and practical outcomes. Your advice must be clear, accurate and outcomes-focused.

The role involves advising on a broad range of legal issues, statutory interpretation and administrative law matters. You will handle sensitive litigation such as personal injury matters, crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be

Responsibilities

• Provide, with minimal supervision, authoritative advice on complex legal and policy issues and provide high level briefings and correspondence.
• Appear or instruct in complex and sensitive litigation involving the department in a wide range of courts and tribunals.
• Prepare briefs and instruct counsel and contracted solicitors of the State Government Legal Services Panel in complex and sensitive matters.

Job description

THE ROLE

As a Senior Solicitor in the Public Law and Litigation Team, you will be required to, with minimal supervision, work independently and with more junior members of the team to provide timely legal advice and representation for key stakeholders that is strategic and practical. Your advice must be clear, accurate and outcomes-focused. Your legal work will include advising on a broad range of legal issues, statutory interpretation and administrative law matters. You will provide legal advice and manage sensitive litigation matters such as personal injury matters, matters under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 and Serious Offenders Act 2018, discrimination and privacy complaints, and other general civil litigation claims in the portfolio of families and children and disability. The role is also key in supporting less experienced staff.

ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE

• Provide, with minimal supervision, authoritative advice on complex legal and policy issues and provide high level briefings and correspondence.
• Appear or instruct in complex and sensitive litigation involving the department in a wide range of courts and tribunals.
• Prepare briefs and instruct counsel and contracted solicitors of the State Government Legal Services Panel in complex and sensitive matters.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process. Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.