5-10

Senior Solicitor

4/12/2026

Provide expert legal advice and representation in complex criminal law matters while supervising and mentoring junior legal staff. Manage the Local Court practice to ensure efficient, client-focused service delivery and build strong relationships with key stakeholders.

Salary

154403 - 157430 AUD

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

10,001+ employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

About The Company

Working together for a stronger, safer and fairer NSW. Collection notice We will collect information about you when you interact with us through social media. This may include your name and any messages, comments or photos you send us. We will collect your information in order to respond to your queries, feedback and complaints, and to improve service delivery. The social networking service will also handle your personal information for its own purposes. These services have their own privacy policies. You can access the privacy policies for these services on their websites. We will not disclose your information to any other third parties unless you have consented or the Department is required, or authorised, by law to do so. The supply of your information through social media is voluntary. For information about your rights to seek access to, and correction of, your personal information, please see our privacy policy at https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/statements/privacy/privacy-policy.html Department of Communities and Justice Locked Bag 5000, Parramatta NSW 2124

About the Role

Legal Aid I work for NSW banner image

Senior Solicitor V Criminal Law

Salary range $154,403.00 - $157,430.00 pa (plus superannuation and leave loading)

Temporary 12 Month Full-time contract with the possibility of extension or permanent conversion

Newcastle Location

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

You are an experienced criminal law solicitor who can confidently manage a high‑volume and complex practice while delivering high‑quality advice and representation to vulnerable clients. You communicate clearly with people from diverse backgrounds and apply Legal Aid NSW policies, legislation and guidelines consistently in your work.

You are a supportive leader who mentors junior staff, oversees their development, and actively promotes wellbeing by managing workloads and exposure to distressing material.

In this Newcastle‑based Practice Manager role, you provide strong leadership across the Local Court practice, ensuring efficient, effective and client‑focused service delivery.

You build positive relationships with courts, agencies and internal stakeholders, and you are committed to Legal Aid NSW’s mission to provide accessible and compassionate legal services to the community.

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 erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au or 02 9134 9347.

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 before you start work with us

be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check

hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (for ongoing vacancies) or a valid visa to work in Australia (for temporary vacancies)

Certain roles within Criminal Law (mainly in the regional areas) require a valid Driver Licence and the ability to travel to circuit courts including overnight travel.

How to apply

You must submit your application online. Applications received late or by email, will not be accepted. Please make sure your application is complete, and that you have answered all questions before submitting.

Your application must include:

your resume (no more than 5 pages)

cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please address the below two targeted questions:

Target Question 1- In this Newcastle Practice Manager role, you will oversee the Local Court practice and work with many different stakeholders. How have you built strong working relationships to improve services for clients with diverse or complex needs?

Target Question 2 - Describe a time when you managed a busy or complex criminal law practice while supporting junior staff. How did you maintain high‑quality client service and look after the team’s wellbeing?

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

Do you need help to apply?

If you have questions about the role, you can reach out to Robyn Fraser - Solicitor in Charge Crime Newcastle on Robyn.Fraser@legalaid.nsw.gov.au

If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have.

The Role Description sets out the responsibilities and Focus Capabilities 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.

Closing Date: Sunday 26/04/2026 at 11.59pm

Key Skills

Criminal lawLegal adviceCourt representationLeadershipMentoringCase managementStakeholder managementPolicy implementationClient serviceCommunicationLegal researchConflict resolutionTeam managementRisk management