Solicitor, Professional Support Unit

The Law Society of New South Wales is seeking a full-time permanent Solicitor to join the Professional Support Unit (PSU). The Solicitor, Professional Support will assist NSW legal practitioners navigate Australia's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regime, and guide them on ethical and other regulatory obligations under the Legal Profession Uniform Law and related legislation (the Uniform Law). The role works within the PSU to provide guidance on AML/CTF obligations and related regulatory matters.

This position has been created within PSU to assist NSW legal practitioners with: the management of their legal practice(s) to promote compliance with the Uniform Law and other relevant legislation; strengthening their practice to minimise exposure to complaints and inadvertent breaches to applicable legislation, including the AML/CTF Act; understanding ethical obligations under common law and the Uniform Law, including Conduct and Practice Rules; and compliance with rules and legislation relating to costs.

While the focus includes regulatory compliance matters (including AML/CTF), the role will also work across all four areas of the PSU: AML/CTF, costs, ethics and regulatory compliance.

• Assist practitioners with regulatory, ethical and costs issues, including answering email and telephone enquiries.
• Create educational resources, including regular articles, focusing on regulatory updates, cases and emerging regulatory and ethical issues for the Law Society's publications.
• Present continuing education seminars on issues related to regulatory compliance (including anti-money laundering); occasionally present on ethics, costs and general legal practice management.
• Review standards and requirements established for legal practices to promote compliance with the Uniform Law and other relevant legislation.
• Manage the content of the Law Society's web-based information services relating to regulatory compliance, ethics and costs.
• Provide secretariat support for PSU committees, including AML/CTF Reference Group, AML/CTF Compliance Officers Reference Group, and Costs and Ethics Committees, as required.
• Undertake research on regulatory compliance, ethics and costs to support the development of practical and educational resources for legal practitioners.
• Develop seminars and information resources to respond to emerging trends in relation to regulatory issues, including AML and support for new principals of legal practices.
• Liaise with internal teams and external regulators to ensure guidance is consistent across the Law Society and with Designated Local Regulatory Authorities.
• Assist the Team Leader and Head of Regulatory Policy and Strategy with ad hoc project work related to the Uniform Law and regulatory changes affecting the legal profession.
• Provide legal advice on regulatory compliance (including AML), costs and ethics to the Head of Regulatory Policy and Strategy and Director of Legal Regulation as required.

• Tertiary qualifications in law and current practising certificate.
• Practice experience and knowledge in regulatory compliance and AML legislation or policy principles.
• Good public speaking skills and experience creating educational resources, such as presentation slides.
• Strong understanding of legislative procedures, the legal profession, and recent developments in this area.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation; familiarity with AML/CTF legislation and regulatory frameworks; understanding of legal practice management (including costs or ethics) and compliance auditing or quality and best practice management principles.
• Clear and effective communication skills; ability to create a suite of educational resources (articles, checklists, alerts, presentations, workshops).
• Highly developed interpersonal, presentation and influencing skills; ability to work as part of a small team of solicitors.
• Strong prioritising and organisational skills; computer literacy (word processing, email, internet applications); initiative and commitment to quality client service for diverse backgrounds.

The PSU provides confidential guidance and education to NSW legal practitioners on their ethical and regulatory obligations under the Uniform Law and AML/CTF Act. The Law Society of NSW maintains close professional relationships with other professional bodies and regulatory agencies to support high professional standards in NSW. The PSU aims to help solicitors maintain high ethical and professional standards in their provision of legal services.

The Law Society of NSW is committed to a respectful and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds. Applications must include a CV and a cover letter outlining key experience and motivations for this role.