• Temporary for up to 9 months, with possibility for extension; Full-Time (35 hours per week)
• Location: Sydney
• Legal Officer Grade V, Base Salary ($132,078pa - $134,667pa), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

About us

Supporting over 35,000 customers annually and administering in excess of $6bn in customer assets, NSW Trustee & Guardian (NSWTG) is a statutory agency within the Stronger Communities (formerly Justice) Cluster. The agency supports the Chief Executive Officer of the NSWTG and the Public Guardian (PG), to protect and promote the rights, dignity, choices and wishes of the people of New South Wales. We do this by providing independent and impartial financial management, guardianship and trustee services that support our customers and help them manage their health, lifestyle and financial affairs and ensure their wishes are respected.

Our services help support and protect some of the most vulnerable members of the NSW community, and support people at vulnerable moments in their life. 

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, experienced and respected team leader and change agent with excellent legal skills. The role will report to the Principal Solicitor and work with and provide support to the Principal Solicitor to create a dynamic legal team, build a positive culture in a team with emphasis on working co-operatively together to support the work of NSW Trustee and the Public Guardian. The desired applicant will be one who can implement and champion innovative policies, procedures and work practices to ensure the most efficient legal services are delivered, revenue is generated and the budget is met.

The desired applicant may have broad litigation experience or have a background in disability with a desire to promote and advocate for people with disability or even a background in administrative law with experience in wider government. The successful applicant will be responsible not only for leading a team but also for providing advice, transaction and/or litigation for clients predominantly those under a financial management order and guardianship order.

Essential Requirements  

• Completion of a law degree from an accredited law school or completion of the Legal Practitioners Admission Board Diploma in Law Course.
• Admitted as a legal practitioner in NSW and has a current practicing certificate. 

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

About you

In addition to meeting the Essential Requirements, the successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in the following:

• Undertake complex, contentious or sensitive legal and administrative matters and conduct litigation before Courts and/or Tribunals as the Department's representative.
• Interpret, analyse and prepare more complex legal documents.
• Provide direction, support and supervision to legal and administrative staff to ensure compliance with timeframes, practice standards, budgets and goals of the Legal and Professional Services Division of NSW Trustee and Guardian.
• Maintain customer focus while managing a high volume of complex cases; understanding and prioritising the individual needs and requirements of clients under financial management, guardianship, agency, succession and trusts.
• Professional supervision of staff and legal services; actively develop strategies to build a high performing team which is customer focused, meets strict time-frames and delivers quality legal services. 

For detailed information on the key accountabilities and capability framework, please click here to download the role description. 

To apply for this role you need to submit an application online by clicking Apply Now.

 When applying you will need to: 

1. Answer all pre-screening questions on the online application form and answer the two pre-screening questions below; we are looking for you to demonstrate your competency in this focus capability.   

• There are many ways to show professionalism in your work. What ways work best for you? Give a specific example.
• Clients can be very demanding.  Describe a time when you had to manage client expectations to ensure they did not continue to make unreasonable demands and help you avoid unreasonable commitments. 

Then:

2. Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role as specified in the role description. 

Role enquiries: Luke Williams, Principle Solicitor on 02) 9240 0850 or email on [email protected], using the subject line: Senior Solicitor - Estate Management enquiry via EthicalJobs

Technical assistance: Linda Tummarello, Talent Acquisition Officer on 02) 9765 3155 or email on [email protected]

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.  

The NSW Trustee and Guardian are committed to building a workplace that values and supports diversity and inclusion. We actively promote the employment of women, people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTI and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.  

The Department encourages applications from people with disability and will provide reasonable adjustments in our recruitment process and in the workplace. If you need an adjustment in the recruitment process, please call or email the contact person listed, and also advise us of your preferred method of communication.