Solicitor - LO 4 - Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Solicitor

Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Principal location - Parramatta - Flexible working arrangements may be negotiated.
• Employment type - Ongoing - Full time (35 hours per week)
• Salary - Legal Officer - Grade 4, Base Salary ($144,058 - $146,831), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

About us

The Department of Communities and Justice shares a common purpose across many areas of their work, particularly when it comes to improving outcomes for children and young people, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people experiencing domestic and family violence, victims of sexual assault, juvenile offenders, people at high risk of reoffending, and people experiencing homelessness.

Working together for stronger communities means we can continue to deliver our services with a more unified and collaborative approach. This means a greater focus on prevention and early intervention, faster responses, more seamless operations, less duplication of effort and better outcomes.

Your role

The primary responsibility of the Civil Team is to:

• Manage civil claims against DCJ, including historic abuse claims involving Youth Justice and out-of-homecare and other civil claims involving Housing, Courts Services, Corrective Services NSW, disability, and other personal injury claims
• Manage proceedings brought under the Family Law (Child Abduction Convention) Regulations 1986
• Provide advice and liaising with internal stakeholders in relation to matters under the Hague Convention of Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Enforcement and Cooperation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children

What you'll do

As required of the role you will be responsible for conducting both complex and routine legal matters (primarily advice and litigation).

This role will include (but not be limited to) the following accountabilities and challenges:

• Conducting and providing strategic and commercial legal advice and instructing panel firms in relation to civil claims against DCJ, including civil claims for child abuse (some of which are litigated and some of which involve class actions), prison assault claims, claims in negligence, forced adoption, false imprisonment claims, malicious prosecution and other personal injury claims.
• Collaborating with and delivering high level and sometimes urgent legal advice to various senior stakeholders including ministers and senior executive staff.
• Representing the Department in external meetings and forums including leadership forums, mediations and settlement conferences.
• Interpreting, preparing and analysing more complex legal documents including drafting complex legal advice, sensitive government submissions and corresponding with senior stakeholders both internally and externally and interpreting legislation and relevant policies.

• Contributing to the continuous improvement of legal systems, procedures, and practice standards.

• Managing a varied caseload and prioritise effectively within a high volume, deadline driven environment.

• Working as part of a collaborative, professional team of solicitors and legal officers, in a fast-paced and supportive environment.

What we're looking for

• Eligibility to hold a practising certificate as a government legal practitioner issued by the NSW Law Society.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in civil litigation, dispute resolution, and relevant areas of law.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex and sensitive legal matters, providing high quality advice and clear communication to varied audiences.

• Proven experience conducting research and analysis and providing client focussed legal advice

• Experience building and maintaining relationships and liaising with external stakeholders, including panel firms and iCare

• Current and valid Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the 'Apply now' button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply - you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Or

Click apply, attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) addressing the 2 targeted questions below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:

• Describe a situation when you or your team were given an urgent matter to work on, when you were otherwise busy with other matters and the techniques you used to manage and juggle the competing priorities, so that all your work was dealt with in a timely manner? (224 words)

• Outline your experience and expertise in relevant legal areas including litigation, as well as experience in providing advice in complex legal matters.

Applications close: Tuesday, 02 December 2025 at 11:59pm AEDT.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Timothy Long at

If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Lois Jebin at

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

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