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Location
Sydney
Salary
$75 - $100 per hour
Job Type
Contract
Ref
BH-184037
Contact
Gemma Fernie
Contact email
Email Gemma
Posted
9 months ago
Role Title: Senior Lawyer
Contract
Division: Legal Counsel and Regulatory Advice
Start Date: ASAP
End date: 16/05/2025
Pay Rate: $75-100 per hour + super
Location: McKell, Haymarket
Hours of work: 7 hrs per day / 35 hrs per week
Hybrid: 2 days in the office (Tuesdays all the IPC team are in and the 2nd day is of your choosing)


Primary Purpose of the Role

The Senior Lawyer will provide high-quality legal advice and representation on a range of government law matters, specifically in the areas of administrative law, privacy, and information access. The role involves interpreting and applying legislation administered by the “Government Department”, undertaking litigation, and ensuring that the organisation's legal services meet the highest standards of professional practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Legal Advice & Representation: Provide clear, concise, and independent legal advice on the interpretation and operation of legislation under the “Government Department”, remit. Represent the Information Commissioner or the Privacy Commissioner in courts and tribunals when necessary.
• Legislative Interpretation: Analyse, interpret, and draft legal documents, including advice, submissions, and other key communications. Advise on complex legislative issues and assist in the drafting of legislative projects.
• Litigation Management: Conduct litigation, including briefing external counsel, and ensure effective representation in legal proceedings.
• Risk Management: Identify and report on emerging legal issues that may present risks or opportunities for the Government Department, offering strategic solutions to minimise risks and enhance opportunities.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Engage with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure effective legal service delivery, providing advice and guidance as necessary.
• Training & Development: Develop training materials to build legal awareness among internal and external stakeholders, and proactively reduce legal risks within the organisation.
• Research & Analysis: Conduct in-depth legal research and contribute to projects aimed at improving decision-making and outcomes for stakeholders.
• Knowledge Sharing & Mentorship: Support and mentor junior team members, sharing expertise and providing leadership in legal matters.

Key Challenges

• Dynamic Environment: Manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, evolving legal landscape, ensuring the delivery of timely and effective legal services.
• Complex Legal Issues: Provide clear and practical solutions to complex legal matters, considering the broader legal and operational context.
• Legislative Knowledge: Stay up to date with relevant legislation, case law, and legal developments, while simplifying complex legal concepts for a range of stakeholders.

Internal Relationships

• Director, Legal Counsel & Regulatory Advice: Collaborate on legal matters, providing advice and escalating complex issues as necessary.
• Information & Privacy Commissioners: Advise and support the Commissioners in their decision-making processes, providing legal expertise to guide their actions.
• Legal and Other Government Department, Teams: Work closely with Government Department, teams to deliver legal services and ensure effective outcomes.

External Relationships

• Stakeholders: Provide legal advice and build effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including government departments, private entities, and the public.
• External Legal Providers: Manage relationships with external legal service providers, overseeing performance and ensuring quality service delivery.

Reporting Line

• Direct Report: Director, Legal Counsel & Regulatory Advice
• Direct Reports: None

Essential Requirements

• Admission as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of NSW.
• A current practising certificate or eligibility to hold one.

Skills & Capabilities

• Legal Expertise: Advanced understanding of government law, privacy, administrative law, and statutory interpretation.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex legal concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
• Risk Management: Proactive in identifying legal risks and implementing strategies to mitigate them.
• Stakeholder Management: Skilled in managing relationships and working collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to analyse complex issues and develop innovative, practical solutions.
• Project Management: Competence in managing legal projects from initiation to completion, ensuring timely and effective delivery.
• Resilience & Adaptability: Ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment while maintaining a high level of legal expertise and professionalism.

Desirable Capabilities

• Experience in legislative drafting and development.
• Familiarity with privacy laws and regulations, particularly in the public sector.

The Senior Lawyer role offers an opportunity to contribute to the protection of privacy and the right to access government information, while working in a supportive and dynamic legal environment. If you are a skilled lawyer with a passion for public law and a commitment to upholding legal integrity, we encourage you to apply.