Principal Lawyer and Team Leader

The Law Society of NSW is currently looking for a full time permanent Principal Policy Lawyer and Team Leader to lead our Commercial and Advisory Law Reform Team, Policy and Practice Department.

About us

The Law Society of NSW is the voice of the legal profession and represents the interests of more than 33,000 members across the state. The Policy and Practice Department researches and advises on issues relating to legal policy and law reform. The Department supports 18 policy and segment committees; and has responsibility for major legal policy projects.

About the role

The Principal Policy Lawyer and Team Leader will lead the Commercial and Advisory Law Reform team of policy lawyers and paralegal/administrative staff in providing high quality policy and strategic advice to the Executive and Council of the Law Society, secretariat support to committees of the NSW Law Society Council, and otherwise support the provision of services to the membership of the Law Society.

What you'll be doing

• Lead and manage a team of policy lawyers, administration staff and paralegals, with primary responsibility for providing advice across a designated group of practice areas.
• Provide individual support to committees within that designated group, as required, and coordinate and delegate secretariat responsibilities for other committees within that group to the members of the team. This includes liaising with practitioners and other Law Society staff on issues arising from the committees and being responsible for the timely completion and distribution of agendas, outcomes, submissions, correspondence and reports as required. Committee areas might include Property Law, Privacy and Data Law, Employment Law, Litigation Law, Business Law, Environment, Planning and Development Law and climate mitigation and adaptation.
• Participate in the management of the Policy and Practice Department.
• Undertake and coordinate research on complex legal practice issues and policy development, as required, including the preparation of submissions and material for the Law Society Journal, Monday Briefs, legal profession education events, and the Law Society website.
• Coordinate the provision of accurate, timely and effective practice information and assistance to members of the profession in concert with the Law Society's Legal Information Service and Professional Support Unit, on practice matters in the areas of responsibility of the designated group of practice areas.
• Provide assistance through the preparation of briefing notes, as required, to the President, Council, CEO and Media and Public Relations Manager on policy and practice issues as required.
• Develop, manage and deliver outcomes from ad hoc policy projects relevant to the work of the Policy and Practice Department.
• Attend meetings with key stakeholders with the ability to represent the Law Society's position.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead, coach and monitor individual team members' performance.
• Coordinate the team's general workload and workflow to ensure external / internal customer satisfaction and optimum team effectiveness.
• Demonstrate and encourage behaviour which is consistent with organisational policy requirements.

About you

• Legal qualifications and eligibility to hold a NSW practising certificate.
• Demonstrated experience of providing high quality and strategic policy analysis and advice.
• High level professional/technical knowledge of legal policy issues.
• Extensive experience in working with committees.
• Sound leadership skills, including the ability to lead, influence and manage staff in a team environment.
• Ability to effectively manage resources to meet objectives and competing deadlines in an intensive workload environment.
• Demonstrated high level research and policy analysis skills, including the ability to carry out legal and general research, including internet based research.
• Superior written and oral communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to mentor members of staff with the ability to lead, develop and coach team members.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to work and participate constructively as a team member.
• High level computer skills.
• High level problem solving skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and to demonstrate initiative.
• High level of integrity and ability to comply with the Law Society's confidentiality requirements.
• Willingness to work out of hours to attend Committee meetings.
• Ability to adapt to a changing and flexible working environment.
• Reliability and the ability to exercise judgment to balance the team and Department's needs with the organisation's requirements.

To Apply

The Law Society of New South Wales is committed to building and maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace, appointing the best person for the role and supporting diversity.

Applications must contain a CV and cover letter that outlines your key experience and motivations for this role.