Principal Legal Officer, Parliamentary and Statutory Disclosure

Do you want your work to make a difference for NSW?

Working to protect the state's environment and heritage.

• Exciting and unique senior litigation role specialising in Parliamentary and statutory disclosure
• Permanent full-time opportunity, 35 hrs/week
• Genuine work/life balance supported with the flexibility to work in a hybrid role
• Parramatta, Sydney CBD, Newcastle and regional offices - other established NSW work locations may be considered
• Salary relative to experience, and ranges from $151,227 to $176,110 + super + leave loading

Join a highly collegiate in-house litigation and investigations team of enthusiastic, collaborative, passionate and results-driven lawyers. This role will require you to provide expert legal and advisory services to lead and manage Parliamentary and statutory disclosure matters for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), with the opportunity to also assist in resolving disputes spanning many areas of law.

About the role

In the role of Principal Legal Officer – Parliamentary and Statutory Disclosure, you will be instrumental in supporting DCCEEW's functions in the areas of information disclosure and document review and production.

The role will involve:

• Carriage of all legal aspects of Parliamentary and statutory disclosure matters including Standing Order 52s, compulsory notices issued to DCCEEW and subpoenas.
• Working with Manager SO52, and managing SLOs, LOs, graduates and paralegals within the Governance and Legal Branch.
• Liaising across nsw government including with TCO and other government agencies and with external law firms.
• Streamlining information disclosure processes.
• Training and education for DCCEEW in relation to responding to calls for documents.
• Using document management platform (Nuix) to review, analyse, advise on and finalise documents to be disclosed.
• The opportunity to work on litigation matters and draft advice, court documents, and Ministerial and Departmental Briefing Notes on litigation and law enforcement issues.

You will also be responsible for:

• Team management and leadership, including supervising and mentoring junior lawyers and driving a positive team culture and team improvement.
• Developing and providing training and briefing sessions to share and transfer specialist legal knowledge, expertise and skills to the Litigation Team and Governance and Legal Branch colleagues and clients.
• Developing and maintaining enduring relationships within the Litigation and Investigations Team and with Governance and Legal Branch colleagues, clients, and key stakeholders.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced and strategic lawyer, ideally with 5 years PQE or equivalent experience. You will have a drive and passion for legal and information disclosure work, and strong experience in managing large information disclosure or document production matters. You will be able to identify and manage legal and other risks.

Undertaking a wide range of tasks often with tight or competing timeframes, the role requires excellent project management and organisational skills, enthusiasm, and a commitment to providing high-quality and client-focused services. Your communication and interpersonal skills are highly developed, and your strong client and stakeholder management skills provide you the confidence and ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with a variety of clients, stakeholders and team members.

Joining this dedicated and highly regarded team, you will bring your self-motivated and 'can-do' attitude along with a team player mentality, and a supportive and collaborative working style.

Essential Requirements

• Admitted or qualified for admission as a Solicitor or Barrister in the Supreme Court of NSW and hold, or be eligible to hold, a NSW Practicing Certificate.

Key knowledge and experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas at an expert level is required:

• Information disclosure or document production
• Environmental law
• General litigation

For more information read the full Role Description: Principal Legal Officer

Who we are

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) works to protect the State's environment and heritage. It leads the way on climate change, driving the sustainable transition to a net zero economy, powered by affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

DCCEEW conserves and protects the state's natural environment. It manages the NSW national park estate, including its rich and diverse biodiversity and Aboriginal cultural heritage for future generations.

DCCEEW also ensures sustainable management of water resources across the state, to support the environment, communities and industry.

We acknowledge the ongoing custodial responsibilities of the Aboriginal peoples of NSW to care for Country and water and are committed to establishing meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal peoples in the management of the environment.

To Apply

If excited by the information above, we look forward to receiving your application. Your application should include:

• a resume which clearly details your relevant skills and experience (max 5 pages)
• a cover letter addressing how you meet the requirements of the role (max 2 pages)

Applications close Sunday, 09 Nov 2025 at 11:55 PM

Should you require further information about the role please contact Jessica Mackay at

A recruitment pool will be created for ongoing and temporary opportunities of the same role or role type that may become available over the next 18 months.

Our goal is to build a workforce that not only represents but also understands and serves the diverse communities of New South Wales. We are committed to making our state a vibrant and inclusive place to live, work, and thrive for everyone. Our workforce represents people of all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, the LGBTQI+ community, and people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Looking for more information or assistance in applying?

• Our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace
• How we encourage and support people with disability
• Information and adjustments for individual needs for the recruitment process and the workplace

If you require an adjustment for your application process, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team by emailing or contacting (Nivya Shetty) via or please mention reference number

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, use our Aboriginal applicants guide to assist with applying for roles or contact our Aboriginal Career pathways team for a yarn.

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