Senior Executive Lawyer

• Senior Executive Lawyer (Senior Executive Service Band 1)                             
• Civil Claims related litigation        
• Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Brisbane
• Permanent role                 

An opportunity exists for a leading senior practitioner to join our Civil Claims team managing significant and complex claims including:

• tort based damages and personal injury claims brought against the Commonwealth 
• commercial claims including contractual and debt recovery claims brought by or against the Commonwealth 
• class actions.

About us

AGS is the Australian Government’s central legal practice and part of the Attorney-General’s Department. AGS helps Commonwealth clients to manage legal issues, navigate new challenges and find solutions which deliver the best outcomes for Australia. We are a self-funded legal practice and compete for our work.

AGS is unique. AGS is dedicated to the national interest and is a trusted advisor to Government. 

AGS is innovative. Drawing on an exceptional depth of experience and expertise, we assist the Australian Government in the development and implementation of solutions to legal issues that have national importance.

AGS is diverse. With offices in every capital city and a team of 680 staff, including 470 lawyers, we work in more than 40 different areas of law related to government. 

About the role

The AGS Dispute Resolution practice (DR) is Australia’s pre-eminent public law litigation practice. It has unrivalled experience and specialist expertise in providing dispute related legal advice and representation in every jurisdiction in Australia, across a diverse range of legal matters for Commonwealth agencies, including a very significant practice representing the Commonwealth’s regulatory enforcement agencies, administrative law, tax litigation, employment law, torts law and information access law. AGS acts for the Commonwealth in the full range of disputes to which it is a party or in which it has an interest (including access to sensitive information) and advises on investigations including for law enforcement and national security agencies. DR also represents the Commonwealth before inquests, inquiries and royal commissions, and as the solicitor assisting royal commissions. In addition, DR has a specialist in-house counsel practice, led by Tim Begbie KC.

In this role within the Civil Claims team of AGS Dispute Resolution you will: 

• have responsibility for large scale, significant and complex claims in Federal and State jurisdictions on behalf of the Commonwealth, including tort-based damages and personal injury claims, and, commercial claims brought by or against the Commonwealth
• advise on complex legal risk management strategies
• manage and supervise large and often diverse portfolios of claims, including class actions and cohorts of claims
• supervise the work of others and develop and mentor junior colleagues
• provide a high standard of client service and maintain strong senior client relationships
• be part of the AGS Dispute Resolution team and undertake work in other areas of law relevant to the work of AGS Dispute Resolution.

For further information about the requirements of the role please refer to the role description available on our recruitment portal.

About you

This role will suit a highly experienced dispute resolution lawyer with significant expertise in large civil claims litigation. The successful candidate will ideally have: 

• substantial experience in claims against the Commonwealth, including tort related claims, ideally including class actions and cohorts of claims
• excellent technical legal skills
• significant experience in managing large-scale litigation 
• detailed knowledge of the Commonwealth legal environment
• excellent professional judgement, interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with influence and build client relationships 
• demonstrated ability and commitment to effectively supervise, train, mentor and develop more junior legal staff 
• excellent interpersonal skills, negotiation skills and the ability to persuade,

the capacity to lead, both within and beyond the AGS Dispute Resolution team, and positively contribute to the broader AGS practice.

You will work with a community of professionals dedicated to the national interest. You will work collaboratively in an inclusive environment where everyone’s contribution is valued, and success is rewarded. We offer our lawyers commercially competitive remuneration packages, including 15.4% superannuation. 

Working with some of Australia’s most respected lawyers, we are a developer of talent and critical thinking and you will partner with our clients to deliver creative solutions to current and emerging legal issues of national importance.

AGS is a supportive organisation which embraces diversity. We understand that work is only part of your life and while our work can be demanding at times, we also provide access to a range of flexible working options, generous leave entitlements and wellbeing benefits to support your needs throughout your career. 

To apply

To apply you must be an Australian Citizen and be willing to obtain and maintain at a security clearance at the Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) or Positive Vetting (TSPV) level. 

To apply, please click the ‘Apply’ button and ensure that you upload a maximum 3-page cover letter indicating your relevant experience with reference to the required skills and experience set out above and in the relevant role description, along with a copy of your CV.

 Applications close at 5:00pm (AEDT) on Sunday, 25 February 2024. 

Further enquiries 

Further information can be obtained by contacting Jill Mackay, Human Resources Business Partner on 02 9581 7***.