Are you a recent law graduate or 1-3 year PQE solicitor with a passion for policy and law reform? The Bar Association is seeking a full or part-time Policy Lawyer to join our Policy and Law Reform team.

As a Policy Lawyer, your role is to provide effective advice, legal research and guidance on a wide range of policy and law reform issues and to provide secretariat support to the 15 barristers’ policy committees we serve.

Our Organisation

The New South Wales Bar Association is the professional body for practising barristers and associate members, such as clerks and judges. Its purpose is to serve the public good in relation to the administration of justice and the provision of legal services. This is achieved by promoting and maintaining the highest standards of excellence among local practising barristers.

In pursuit of this objective, the New South Wales Bar Association:

• Carries out educational, regulatory and policy functions through the work of the Bar Council, via its committees.
• Co-ordinates pro bono or reduced-cost legal services to underprivileged sections of the community.
• Operates the Bar Library.
• Supports the Bar Council in carrying out its regulatory functions in matters of professional discipline, by managing complaints against barristers via Professional Conduct Committees.
• Supports the wellbeing of its members.

Responsibilities include to:

• Provide secretariat support to committees of volunteer barristers appointed by Bar Council (preparing agendas, minutes and meeting papers and providing support to committee chairs);
• Assist committees to prepare submissions for NSW and Australian Governments, Parliamentary Committees, the Law Council of Australia, and other government and law reform agencies;
• Undertake policy analysis and legal research;
• Draft briefing notes, memorandums and submissions on legal policy issues; and
• Other duties as required.

Work outside the core standard hours will occasionally be necessary, as committee meetings are held between 5-7pm. This position reports to the Director of Policy and Law Reform.

The successful applicant will have:

• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills;
• Legal reasoning and legal research skills;
• Interest and capacity to develop cultural competency;
• A proven ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively in a small team;
• Strategic and innovative problem-solving skills;
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflicting priorities and meet tight deadlines;
• High level organisational skills and attention to detail;
• Excellent IT skills, including competency using Word, Powerpoint, Excel, online legal research databases and social media;
• Proven ability to research and develop responses to complex legal and policy issues;
• Detailed knowledge of NSW and Australian government, parliamentary and legal systems;
• Demonstrated interest in access to justice issues and solutions;
• An LLB or JD qualification (mandatory);
• Legal policy or legal practice experience will be looked upon favourably, but is not essential. Graduates, newly admitted lawyers or solicitors with 1-3 PQE are encouraged to apply.

next steps

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you, please click 'Apply Now' to submit your application.

If you have questions, please contact Harriet Ketley, Director Law Reform and Policy on 9232 4055.

Please note, strong candidates will be interviewed prior to the close of applications. Early applications are encouraged.

The Association is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. First Nations people are encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability.

We work in a CBD location with hybrid work conditions (office/work from home). Part-time or full time will be considered.

The New South Wales Bar Association (Association) values your privacy and is committed to handling personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Any personal information that you provide during the recruitment process is collected by the Association for the purpose of considering your application for employment. This may include using and disclosing your personal information (and that of any referees or others mentioned in your application) to conduct reference or other pre-employment checks. If you choose not to provide your personal information to us, we may not be able to process your application.

For further information on how the Association collects, stores, uses and discloses personal information, and how an individual may obtain access to and where necessary correct their personal information, please see the Association’s Privacy Policy available here. The Policy also contains information about how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how the Association will deal with any such complaint.

By submitting an application for this role, you are consenting to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information as described above.