Professional Assistant

Do you have a genuine interest in the law, particularly public law?
Do you have strong research skills, and an ability to work as part of a team or autonomously as required?
About the role
The State Solicitor's Office is searching for law students to join our busy legal practice as professional legal research assistants.
These positions will provide applicants with a unique opportunity to work closely with the most senior legal officers within government, by providing legal research and other assistance to the State Solicitor, State Counsel, and Deputy State Solicitors.

Assigned tasks may include:

Drafting research memos concerning discrete legal issues;
Drafting or proof reading legal advices;
Litigation tasks including drafting submissions, assisting with the discovery of documents and summarising opponent's submissions;
Assisting with law reform papers and submissions to Ministers and public bodies;
Attending Court to observe and assist with cases;
Attending meetings and conferences with clients and stakeholders.

The work is interesting, diverse and challenging, and will provide an excellent basis for a successful career in the law.

If you would like further information regarding this opportunity, please contact Jean Shaw SC, State Counsel on (08) 9264 99***or email ******@sso.wa.gov.au for a confidential discussion.
About us
The State Solicitor's Office is responsible for the provision of broad based, high quality legal services to the Government of Western Australia and to a wide range of state government client departments and agencies including advice on law reform.
You can find more about the Office, its functions and key contributions here.
We are committed to building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion.
We actively promote the employment of Aboriginal Australians, people with disability, youth, and other diversity groups.
People with disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace.
Applicants with disability requiring adjustment or accessibility requirements at any stage of the selection process can contact SSOHR at *****@sso.wa.gov.au for a confidential discussion.
About you
To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

A strong interest in working at the State Solicitor's Office, and developed research, analytical, problem solving and interpersonal skills.

Self-motivation and an ability to work as part of a team and autonomously as required

Applicants will be placed in a pool from which fixed term, full time appointments may be made, with the first appointments from this pool expected to commence in early February 2026 on a two year contract.
Professional Assistants are expected to apply for graduate employment with the State Solicitor's Office in the second year of their contract.
Employment as a law graduate following completion of the two year contract is not guaranteed for those offered Professional Assistant positions but two years as a Professional Assistant will place you in the best position to successfully apply for graduate employment with the Office.
Please ensure you review the attached Job Description Form (JDF) for further information about the requirements of these positions.
This information will assist you with the preparation of your application.
How to apply
If you don't want to miss out on this great opportunity, apply now by submitting:

A current comprehensive CV including the contact details of two referees.
A cover letter of no more than two (2) pages discussing why you want to undertake a Professional Assistant position at the State Solicitor's Office.
This should cover your:
Demonstrated interest in the law and conventions relating to State government, its departments and instrumentalities;
Proven ability to undertake legal research; and
Proven ability to work autonomously and build productive relationships.
Copies of any relevant qualifications.

Note: during the selection process we'll be assessing applicants against all the qualifications outlined in the JDF.
Please allow sufficient time to submit your application, as late applications will not be accepted.
To submit your application click the "Apply for Job" button at the bottom of this page.
Emailed applications will not be accepted.
Other important information
Pool Recruitment only
This pool will be open for a period of 12 months from the day after the breach of standard claim period closes.
We use our recruitment pools to build a bank of talent for future opportunities.
Applicants found suitable in this pool, may be considered for subsequent, similar vacancies with the State Solicitor's Office for the duration of the
Attachments:- jdf - professional assistant l3 (generic) nov 2023.pdf

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