Senior Criminal Solicitor

Senior Criminal Solicitor – Grade V

• Ongoing – Full Time
• Legal Officer Grade V (between $154,403 - $ 157,430 plus super & annual leave loading)
• Location – Coffs Harbour

About us

Legal Aid NSW delivers accessible legal services across criminal, family and civil law. We provide advice, court representation, and family dispute resolution through 28 offices and phone-based support, helping people navigate the legal system with confidence and fairness.

About the role

Provide legal advice and representation to clients of Legal Aid NSW, including in more complex matters, in accordance with Legal Aid NSW policies and guidelines in order to contribute to the implementation of Legal Aid NSW's mission to deliver high quality legal services to our clients and to assist them to resolve their legal problems. Supervise and lead junior legal staff in achieving this aim.

About you

The successful applicant will be an experienced criminal law solicitor who can maintain a busy criminal practice, including complex matters whilst simultaneously supervising and leading other crime solicitors. The successful applicant will be committed to delivering excellent service and be able to engage with external stakeholders. Management experience and enthusiasm for mentoring/developing staff is essential.

We may use this recruitment to create a talent pool for ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW

We are committed to diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for everyone who works and interacts with us. We strive to be a place where people from diverse backgrounds want to work, where voices and cultures are valued and where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.

We want a workforce that reflects our clients, so we can deliver a service that meets the needs of the community. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities.

We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities.

For application support (including accessing information or require the application in an alternate format) or recruitment adjustments please contact the Talent Acquisition Team at or

To learn more about Recruitment and Workplace Adjustments please visit Adjustments for individual needs | I Work for NSW.

Other benefits of working with us

• You will have access to training, development and mentoring opportunities.
• We are an accredited Flex Ready and Carers and Employers certified employer and are recognised as leaders in flexible work. Most of our staff work flexibly — for example, from home some of the time or in a way that helps them balance family and work life
• Find out more at Working at Legal Aid NSW

The essential requirements for this role

You must:

• be admitted or be eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW
• be able to provide a current NSW Practising Certificate (unrestricted) before you start work with us
• be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and/ or Working with Children Check (for regional offices and some specialist teams)
• hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (for ongoing vacancies) or a valid visa to work in Australia (for temporary vacancies)
• Hold a valid Driver Licence and the ability to travel to circuit courts including overnight travel

How to apply

You MUST submit your application online. If you submit your application late or by email it will NOT be accepted.

Your application must include:

• your resume (no more than 5 pages)
• cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please respond to the below 2 targeted questions.

Targeted Question 1: Outline your experience in conducting a high volume and complex criminal law practice.

Targeted Question 2: What do you perceive to be the challenges of managing a regional criminal law practice or team? How do your skills and experience enable you to meet those challenges?

Make sure your application is complete and you have answered all questions before you submit it.

Applications Close: Wednesday 22 October 2025 at 11:59PM

Do you need help to apply?

It's important to properly prepare before you apply for a role. Here is some other information to help you:

• If you have questions about the role, you can contact Andre Diaz-Valdivieso via email on Andre.Diaz-
• If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have.
• The Role Description sets out the responsibilities of the role.
• The focus capabilities and key accountabilities in the role description indicate what is expected at that level. Being familiar with these will help you understand what the panel will be looking for in the successful candidate.

Applying for a role is a great NSW Government resource for helping you prepare your application.