Special Counsel, Energy Law

NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 178,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) seeks a Special Counsel Energy to lead strategic legal work in NSW’s energy transition. You will guide legislation, regulation, and policy in collaboration with senior executives and stakeholders.

The role offers high-impact work across government priorities, with strong leadership expectations and a focus on capability development within the Energy Law team.

Qualifications

• Must be admitted or eligible for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in the Supreme Court of NSW.
• Significant legal experience with at least 8 years post-qualification.
• Strong understanding of government policy, legislative reform, and regulatory frameworks supporting DCCEEW’s work.

Responsibilities

• Lead and influence major energy reforms in New South Wales.
• Provide strategic leadership on complex legislative, regulatory and policy matters.
• Support and shape regulatory frameworks underpinning NSW's energy transition.
• Mentor and develop team capability and foster a high-performing culture.

Skills

Energy law expertise

Regulatory leadership

Strategic legal advice

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Solicitor or Barrister admitted in NSW

Job description

Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?

Working to protect the state’s environment and heritage.

• Rare opportunity for an exceptional and highly experienced Energy Lawyer
• Ongoing full-time opportunity, 35 hrs per week
• Based in Parramatta (flexible working supported; other office location considered subject to availability and business need)
• Salary relative to experience ranging from $178,315 to $197,753 + superannuation and annual leave loading

DCCEEW’s Energy Law team is seeking a Special Counsel in an ongoing capacity to join us and work at the heart of the NSW energy transition. This is a rare opportunity to join a high performing specialist legal practice in a defining moment in the State’s energy history, and lead reforms of scale and complexity in supporting one of the most significant energy transformations of our time.

About the team

The Energy Team sits at the forefront of providing legal advice on the State's renewable energy transition. NSW is phasing out coal and moving rapidly towards a low emissions energy system. The Energy Law team plays a critical role in shaping the legislative and regulatory frameworks that will support this transformation.

The team advises on dynamic and high-profile government priorities, including the delivery of the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, energy emergencies, gas and pipelines, consumer energy protections, and emerging climate and decarbonisation initiatives.

The pace and complexity of the energy transition mean the legal issues we face are evolving, novel and strategically significant. For the right candidate, this is an exceptional opportunity to lead a critical reform area, shape the legal architecture of the energy transition, and have a lasting impact on NSW’s energy future.

About the role

This is a unique opportunity for a senior energy lawyer l to lead and influence some of the most significant energy reforms in New South Wales. As Special Counsel Energy, you will provide strategic legal leadership on complex and high-profile legislative, regulatory and policy matters that support the State's renewable energy transition.

Working closely with senior executives and government stakeholders, you will lead the delivery of legislative reform, provide trusted and pragmatic legal advice on emerging issues, and help shape the regulatory frameworks that underpin NSW's rapidly transforming energy sector. You will also play an important leadership role in fostering a collaborative and high-performing team culture, developing capability across the team, and driving innovation in legal service delivery.

This role offers the opportunity to work on matters of genuine public significance and make a lasting contribution to NSW's energy future.

The Energy Team places a strong emphasis on capability development and continuous learning. The team benefits from structured internal training, specialist workshops with external experts in the field, and a dedicated in-house learning academy designed to build deep technical expertise in the energy transition.

About you

You are an experienced energy lawyer who thrives on tackling complex legal and regulatory challenges and is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to reforms that will shape NSW's energy future.

You combine deep technical expertise in energy law, with strong commercial acumen, sound judgement and a strong client focus. You are known for building trusted relationships, providing clear and practical advice, and delivering outcomes in complex stakeholder environments. You bring exceptional drafting, research and analytical skills, a collaborative leadership style, and a commitment to mentoring others and fostering a positive team culture.

Importantly, you bring a strong commitment to public sector values. Leading by example, you uphold high levels of integrity and professionalism, and will foster a culture of trust, accountability and ethical decision-making.

• Admitted or qualified for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in the Supreme Court of NSW and hold, or be eligible to hold, an unrestricted NSW Practicing Certificate.
• Significant legal experience, preferably with over 8 years of post-qualification experience.
• Strong understanding of government policy and decision-making processes, legislative reform, and the regulatory and administrative frameworks that support DCCEEW’s work.

For more information read the full Role Description: Special Counsel, Energy Law

Who we are

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) work to protect the state’s environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

DCCEEW conserves and protects the state’s natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations.

DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state, to support the environment, communities and industry.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

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