Senior Lawyer

• Senior Lawyers (Executive Level 1 and Executive Level 2)  
• Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
• Ongoing (permanent) and non-ongoing roles

Opportunities exist for Senior Lawyers to join our Dispute Resolution practice group in the Law Enforcement team. We are looking for lawyers who are interested in complex and sensitive public law litigation. In these roles, part of your practice will be to work closely with security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies on national security and law enforcement related matters. 

About us

Australian Government Solicitor (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 roles

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. 

An important part of these roles is advising on law enforcement and national security issues. For example, in these roles you might:

• work on sensitive national security litigation matters for Commonwealth law enforcement and security agencies
• advise and act for the Commonwealth in respect of applications for control orders, post-sentence orders and community safety orders under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) 
• manage and advise Commonwealth agencies on issues concerning the disclosure and protection of information in civil and criminal proceedings that have significant public interest implications for government, such as where defamation proceedings are brought that relate to national security issues
• advise and act for Commonwealth agencies in prosecutions of summary offences, in coronial inquests or other judicial inquiries in various jurisdictions
• advise Commonwealth agencies on the use of investigative powers, such as search warrants or telecommunications interception warrants
• undertake advocacy work and appear in various court jurisdictions
• undertake work in other areas of law relevant to the work of AGS Dispute Resolution.

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

About you

These roles will suit experienced dispute resolution lawyers. Experience in law enforcement or national security related litigation is desirable, but is not essential. Experience in other areas of public law litigation, or complex litigation, would also be valued. 

The successful candidate will ideally have: 

• a minimum of 5 years’ PQE for Executive Level 1 roles and 7 years’ PQE for Executive Level 2 roles
• experience in managing litigation and dispute resolution matters (experience in managing law enforcement related litigation is desirable but not essential) 
• experience supervising junior lawyers (or the demonstrated capacity to do so)
• the ability to work under pressure, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to persuade,

think creatively and deliver innovative client-focused legal solutions

• the ability to clearly articulate technical arguments and draft advisory opinions.

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. 

With open door access to 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, including working from home arrangements, 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 a security clearance at the Negative Vetting 2 (NV2) level or, if required, the Top Secret Positive Vetting (TS-PV) level. 

To apply, please click the ‘Apply’ button. Applications close at 5:00pm (AEDT) on Monday, 25 March 2024. 

Further enquiries 

Further information can be obtained by contacting Jill Mackay, Human Resources Business Partner on 02 9581 7568.