Department: LRLS Legal Child Law
Department/Agency: Department of Communities and Justice
Location:
Charlestown, NSW, AU, 2290
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Req ID: 85849
Senior Solicitor
Child Law - Advocacy
Location – Charlestown or Tuggerah locations considered - Flexible working arrangements maybe negotiated.
Employment type – Ongoing – Full time (35 hours)
Salary – Legal Officer – Grade 5, Base Salary ($159,035 - $162,153), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
About us
The Department of Communities and Justice shares a common purpose across many areas of their work, particularly when it comes to improving outcomes for children and young people, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people experiencing domestic and family violence, victims of sexual assault, juvenile offenders, people at high risk of reoffending, and people experiencing homelessness.
Working together for stronger communities means we can continue to deliver our services with a more unified and collaborative approach. This means a greater focus on prevention and early intervention, faster responses, more seamless operations, less duplication of effort and better outcomes.
What you’ll do
As a Child Law Advocacy Lawyer, you will conduct a broad range of child protection litigation matters, with a primary focus on representing the Department in the Children's Court and managing appeals in higher courts. You will provide strategic, timely and practical legal advice on both complex and routine child law matters, while contributing to high-quality outcomes for children, young people and families.
You will play a key role in leading and mentoring junior legal staff, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, client-focused and cost-effective legal services that support the Department's objectives and statutory responsibilities.
This role includes, but is not limited to, the following accountabilities:
Conduct and manage a substantial litigation practice in the Children's Court, including care and protection proceedings, interim applications, contested hearings and other child law matters.
Prepare and conduct appellate litigation in the District Court, Supreme Court and other relevant jurisdictions, including drafting appeal documents, written submissions and advising on prospects of appeal.
Provide expert legal advice on complex and sensitive child protection matters, statutory interpretation, evidence, procedural issues and emerging legal developments.
Develop litigation strategies for complex, high-risk or high-profile matters and provide recommendations to senior departmental stakeholders.
Prepare and review a range of legal documents, including affidavits, subpoenas, submissions, advices, briefing notes, pleadings and court-related correspondence.
Appear as an advocate in courts and tribunals and instruct counsel in complex or significant matters where required.
Work collaboratively with caseworkers, external legal representatives, counsel, courts and other stakeholders to achieve timely and appropriate outcomes for children and families.
Respond to subpoenas, summonses, information requests and other statutory obligations arising from litigation.
Contribute to the development and implementation of legal practice standards, precedents, policies and procedures within the Child Law practice.
Supervise, mentor and develop Solicitors Grades I-V and Paralegal staff, providing guidance on litigation practice, advocacy, legal research, professional development and case management.
Support continuous improvement initiatives, knowledge sharing and best practice approaches within the team to enhance legal service delivery and client outcomes.
This role offers the opportunity to undertake meaningful and challenging advocacy work, influence legal practice within the child protection jurisdiction, and contribute to outcomes that promote the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people.
What we’re looking for
Legal Expertise & Responsiveness
Demonstrated expertise in child protection litigation, including the ability to manage urgent, complex and sensitive legal matters.
Strong legal analysis, sound judgment and a commitment to maintaining current knowledge of relevant legislation, case law and emerging legal issues.
A minimum of five years' post-admission experience undertaking child protection litigation work.
Leadership & People Management
Proven ability to lead, supervise and develop legal professionals in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
Ability to allocate and manage workloads effectively while ensuring high-quality, timely and ethical legal practice.
Commitment to fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing team culture.
Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain productive relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
Experience working collaboratively with clients, courts, government agencies, community organisations and legal practitioners to achieve positive outcomes.
Strategic Thinking & Continuous Improvement
Ability to contribute to organisational objectives through strategic planning, performance monitoring, data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement initiatives.
Commitment to innovation and improving legal service delivery in a changing environment.
Aboriginal Cultural Capability
Demonstrated understanding of Aboriginal people, cultures, communities, organisations, histories and ways of working.
Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, communities and employees in a way that values and responds to Aboriginal voices.
Commitment to implementing the Family is Culture Report recommendations, including Active Efforts and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Principles, and applying these in legal practice, decision-making and service delivery.
Essential Criteria
Legal Qualifications and eligibility to hold a practising certificate as a Government legal practitioner issued by the NSW Law Society and completion of the statutory period of supervised legal practice.
Current and valid Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
Hold a NSW Driver’s Licence as some travel will be required.
Where required hold a National Security Clearance at the appropriate level in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF)
For detailed information on the key accountabilities and capability framework, please click here to download the role description.
We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.
To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.
What We Offer
We offer a variety of benefits, including:
A challenging and rewarding career
Flexible, autonomous work environment
Competitive pay and conditions
Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.
We do work that really matters
Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.
Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!
Are you ready to join us?
Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).
Applications close: Sunday, 06 September 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Rebecca Jouana, Director at
[email protected] or 0459 861 277
If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Lois Jebin at
[email protected]
Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.
Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit
We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.
To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.
Other Information
A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.
For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.
Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/
