Law Council of Australia

The Law Council of Australia (Law Council) is the peak national representative body of the Australian legal profession. Since 1933, the Law Council has represented its Constituent Bodies, which include State and Territory law societies and bar associations, on national issues, and promoted the administration of justice, access to justice and general improvement of the law in the public interest.

About the division

The Policy Division in a prestigious national peak organisation, which coordinates strategic policy and advocacy for the legal profession on critical issues affecting access to justice, the administration of justice, regulatory policy, rule of law and human rights.

About the role

The Principal Policy Lawyer is a member of the Law Council’s Legal Policy Division. The position reports to the Director of Policy and leads the Human Rights team. The Human Rights team is responsible for legal policy development and advocacy on a wide range of legal and public policy issues. Specifically, the team has responsibility for federal human rights issues (including business and human rights), First Nations people and the law, migration law, elder and succession law, equal opportunity in the legal profession, and climate change legal issues.

While having primary responsibility in the above areas, the Principal Policy Lawyer will be expected to work in, or assist, in all areas of the Law Council’s policy endeavours. The position will also be required to work closely with the Law Council’s advisory committees, working groups, sections and Constituent Bodies.

The Principal Policy Lawyer will have outstanding legal skills. They will have professional experience interpreting and writing about Commonwealth legislation. They will have experience working in one or more of the areas of the law for which the Human Rights team is responsible. They will have at least a working knowledge of international human rights law.

The Principal Policy Lawyer will have advanced legal research skills and high-level communication skills. The Principal Policy Lawyer will have experience managing projects and supervising junior staff members. The position also requires an advanced understanding of Australia’s legal and political systems, as well as an appreciation of key legal and public policy issues at the national level.

The Law Council is extremely fast-paced and requires dynamic, intellectual individuals with problem-solving skills and a desire to promote positive change, while defending important institutions and rights.

This role is suitable for a legal professional who is keen to apply their advanced understanding of the Australian legal system to a venerable institution with the objective of defending and protecting the rule of law in the public interest.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Please prepare a two-page (maximum) statement of claims outlining your suitability for the Senior Policy Lawyer role with the Law Council of Australia, and address the criteria below as part of this statement:

1. A bachelor’s degree in law or policy development as a minimum. Postgraduate qualifications are considered highly desirable.
2. Professional experience interpreting and writing about Commonwealth legislation.
3. A strong knowledge of several of the following areas of the law: migration law, administrative law, elder law, international human rights law, climate change legal issues, and First Nations people and the law.
4. High-level written and oral communication skills.
5. Excellent judgement and analytical skills.
6. A high level of understanding of Australia’s legal and political systems.
7. Advanced legal research, policy, and advocacy skills.
8. The ability to work within tight deadlines, independently and minimal supervision.
9. Strong and consistent work ethic and demonstrated ability to foster a positive, collaborative, and team-oriented workplace culture.
10. A focus on quality and attention to detail.
11. Demonstrated project and staff management skills.
12. At least five years’ experience in legal practice and/or legal policy work.
13. An ability to manage a small team.

For more information

To receive a copy of the full position description or for a confidential discussion prior to application please contact Katie Hancock, HR Advisor via email [email protected] using the subject line: Principal Policy Lawyer - Human Rights enquiry via EthicalJobs or phone 0439074160 during business hours.