About the Law Council of Australia

The Law Council of Australia represents the legal profession at the national level; speaks on behalf of its constituent bodies on federal, national, and international issues; promotes and defends the rule of law; and promotes the administration of justice, access to justice, and general improvement of the law.

The Law Council advises governments, courts, and federal agencies on ways in which the law and the justice system can be improved for the benefit of the community. The Law Council also represents the Australian legal profession overseas, and maintains close relationships with legal professional bodies throughout the world.

The Law Council was established in 1933, and represents its constituent bodies: 16 Australian state and territory law societies and bar associations and Law Firms Australia. Through these bodies, the Law Council represents more than 110,000 Australian lawyers.

The Law Council’s Secretariat is based in Canberra. Its website is www.lawcouncil.au.

About the division

The Policy Division performs a critical role in a prestigious national peak organisation, coordinating 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.

In our work we champion the rule of law and its effective delivery as the foundation of a just legal system and aim to lead law reform and legal policy discussions with expertise at the national level. We also advocate on behalf of the Law Council’s Constituent Bodies and in turn the legal profession. Our objective is to provide the federal government and other stakeholders with balanced, respected, independent and apolitical policy positions.

The Law Council’s Policy Division 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.

About the position

Position title: Senior Policy Lawyer

Work hours: Full-time

Division: Policy Division

Reports to: Executive Policy Lawyer

The Senior Policy Lawyer is responsible for preparing papers and submissions and managing projects on critical law reform and public policy issues.

The Senior Policy Lawyer will be expected to work in, or assist, in all areas of the Law Council’s policy endeavours. However, the role will include a focus on matters including access to justice, public integrity and legal education reform.

The position will also be required to work closely with the Law Council’s Advisory Committees Working Groups, Sections, and constituent bodies. As such, this is a unique opportunity to work closely with eminent legal practitioners in these areas.

The Senior Policy Lawyer will have advanced legal research skills and high-level communication skills as well as the ability to manage projects and to supervise junior staff members if required. The position also requires a solid understanding of Australia’s legal and political systems and an appreciation of key legal and public policy issues at the Commonwealth 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 position allows tie in with parliament house, and our senior policy lawyers have the opportunity to attend parliamentary hearings and events.

Duties

• Analysing legal and public policy issues and drafting advice on realistic policy options for the Law Council to adopt and advocate.
• Communicating and presenting information in writing and orally in a clear, logical, and insightful way.
• Managing relationships and working with the Law Council’s advisory committees, working groups, Sections and Constituent Bodies to develop comprehensive policy positions.
• Researching and drafting papers and submissions to governments and non-government about current legislative or policy initiatives within set timeframes.
• Monitoring the domestic and international environment to identify issues likely to have an impact on the Australian legal profession or areas of the Law Council’s policy focus.
• Assisting in the developing and strengthening of relationships with governments and stakeholders.
• Representing the Law Council at meetings with governments and non-government organisations.
• Drafting speeches, media releases, articles, and briefings for the Law Council and external publications.
• Preparing and assisting with correspondence for Law Council office holders and senior managers.
• Reporting to the Law Council Directors on Commonwealth law reform issues and priority matters affecting the Australian legal profession.
• Delivering allocated priorities in the Law Council’s annual Strategic Operational Plan.
• Managing specific projects as determined by the Law Council.
• Supervising staff as required.
• Other duties as required.

Selection criteria

1. An Australian bachelor’s degree in law as a minimum. Postgraduate qualifications are considered highly desirable. Candidates who have been admitted to legal practice in Australia will be preferred.
2. Demonstrated commitment to access to justice and rule of law issues and solutions.
3. Sound understanding of legal policy frameworks and/or relevant legal practice experience.
4. Demonstrated experience in advanced statutory interpretation. Advanced legal research, policy, and advocacy skills.
5. High-level written and oral communication skills.
6. Strategic and innovative problem-solving skills. Proven ability to develop responses to complex legal and policy issues.
7. A high level of understanding of Australia’s legal and political systems.
8. Demonstrated ability to manage conflicting priorities and to work within tight deadlines, independently and with 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. Four to five years’ post-admission experience in legal practice and/or legal policy work.
12. Preference for Canberra-based employee to allow collaborative work.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our HR Advisor, Andrea Killebrew, at [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Policy Lawyer enquiry via EthicalJobs.