Positions vacant

Positions vacant

Executive Contact Officer 1 - Attorney General's Department

Crown Counsel is an integral part of the Solicitor-General’s Chambers.  The Chambers consist of the Solicitor-General, Crown Counsel, a solicitor on secondment from the Solicitor for the Northern Territory (SFNT) and an executive assistant.  Crown Counsel is responsible for the provision of legal advice to the highest levels of the Northern Territory executive branch, including the Attorney-General, the Cabinet Office and Chief Executive Officers of the Agencies.

Crown Counsel is also required to advise and appear in proceedings where the legislative, executive or judicial powers of the Territory or the Commonwealth are in question, or where the interpretation of the Constitution is raised.

The key duties of the position include:

1. Provide high-level quality advice to:
   1. The Attorney-General’s Department and other government agencies and statutory officers; and
   2. SFNT, and independent statutory officers or their staff, on major, complex or sensitive matters within a broad range of law areas.
2. Appear as barrister on behalf of the Territory or its agencies in Territory courts, the Federal Court, the High Court and various tribunals.  The role requires Crown Counsel to appear as lead counsel and at times as junior counsel (usually to the Solicitor-General) instructed by SFNT or private law firms engaged by Government.
3. Assist the Solicitor-General as required in the provision of high-quality legal advice including to the Attorney‑General, Ministers and independent statutory officers.

Eligibility/Other requirements:

1. The right to practice as a legal practitioner in the Northern Territory.
2. Experience as a legal practitioner in the relevant fields of law, particularly constitutional law, statutory interpretation, public and administrative law and commercial law.
3. Experience in an advocacy role (as barrister or solicitor advocate) with skills of a high order.
4. Extensive knowledge of the constitutional arrangements pertaining to the Northern Territory, including the operation of the Constitution, the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 (Cth), and the Territory court system.
5. Extensive knowledge of, and experience with, the workings and processes of government, particularly State and Territory, but also at the federal and local government levels.
6. Demonstrated ability to prepare high quality written submissions and opinions.
7. Effectiveness in the negotiation of litigation settlements and other legal agreements.

Job level: Executive Contract Officer 1 – Fixed contract for 4 years
Location: Darwin
Salary: $226,322
To apply: https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=337788
Applications close: Thursday 19 February 2026

ACT Government Solicitor - Temporary Register

Roles: 
Solicitor (Government Solicitor 1) – New to practice PQE – Salary Range $89,677 to $131,720
Senior Solicitor (Government Solicitor 2) – 2+ years PQE - Salary range $137,799 - $164,314 
Principal Solicitor (Government Solicitor 3) – 5+ years PQE – Salary range $171,626 to $193,478

Are you interested in temporary employment with the ACT Government Solicitor (ACTGS) and broadening your government legal expertise?  If so, you are invited to submit your curriculum vitae for placement on the ACTGS’ Temporary Employment Register.

How to apply: If you are interested in being placed on the Temporary Employment Register, please email your curriculum vitae and completed Temporary Employment Register Form to ACTGSO@act.gov.au.

More information: available here.

Please contact ACTGSHR@act.gov.au if you have any questions.

ANUSA Lawyer - Australian National University Students' Association (ANUSA)

 

 The ANUSA Lawyer will assist with the delivery of legal services to ANU students and ANU student clubs. This work includes taking instructions from clients, attending client appointments, undertaking relevant legal research relating to client matters, providing legal advice to clients, responding to routine client correspondence, maintaining records of advice, preparing written advice and other legal documents, preparing and presenting materials for community legal education, and, where resourcing allows, providing representation and advocacy on behalf of clients of the ANUSA Legal Service. This position is a fixed term position during leave and reduced duties of another employee.

The key duties of the position include:

 Administration and Information Handling

1. Maintain high standards of ethics, confidentiality, empathy with students, and a culture of continuous improvement.
2. Provide high quality legal advice including initial email correspondence, information gathering and legal research and responding to general inquiries.
3. Refer students with welfare-related needs to ANUSA’s Student Assistance Team, where necessary, or to other legal services where legal needs are outside the scope of service.
4. Maintain up-to-date records of legal assistance to students.
5. Maintain student records in accordance with relevant ANUSA and ANUSA Legal Services policies

Strategic:

6. Acquire and maintain knowledge of key stakeholders within the ANU and Canberra community legal service to inform recommended referral pathways and provide effective referrals to ANU Students.
7. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of ANUSA’s internal policies and procedures.

Operational:

8. Attend client interviews and issue appropriate, relevant legal advice to clients with supervision.
9. Undertake relevant legal research and analysis with supervision.
10. Draft legal documents, memoranda, legal opinions, preparation and delivery of legal educational material for ANUSA’s community legal education programs and legal resources for the ANUSA website.
11. Where resources allow, support clients with small claims.
12. Undertake other duties as required by ANUSA, consistent with the level of the position and the work of ANUSA.

 

Eligibility/Other requirements:

1. Admission as an Australian Legal Practitioner.
2. Hold, or be eligible to hold, a restricted practising certificate to practice law in the ACT.
3. Preferably at least 2 years’ experience working as a legal practitioner, preferably including experience in one or more areas relevant to the legal needs of students.
4. Relevant tertiary education with a strong academic record.
5. Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse range of people, including those from other cultural and language backgrounds.
6. Good legal research skills and demonstrated ability to write clear and concise documents including research briefs and memos.
7. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex legal information to clients effectively and accessibly.
8. Understanding of the legal and other issues students face, and ability to work from a person centred and empathic approach.
9. Demonstrated ability to work independently under professional supervision within a dynamic and diverse team of professional staff and students.
10. Eligibility to hold an ACT Working With Vulnerable People Card.

Job level: ANUO 6.1 (fixed term, leave cover)
Salary: $103,873 per annum (pro-rata) + 17% superannuation
To apply:  https://anusa.com.au/employment/current-jobs-and-vacancies/

Applications close: Monday 16^th February 2026

Commercial Lawyer Member- ACT Architects Board (EOI)

Expressions of interest are sought for the commercial lawyer member position on the ACT Architects Board (the Board).
The key outcomes of the Board are to provide advice to consumers and the Minister about the professional conduct and standards of competence expected of registered architects in the ACT, and investigate complaints, take disciplinary action, or take other appropriate action to protect consumers where these professional practices and registration standards are not met.
The commercial lawyer member has a pivotal role in facilitating and communicating these outcomes. You don’t need a background in architecture to be eligible, but you must be a lawyer with experience in either consumer protection law or trade practices law or both.
The Appointment
The appointment of the commercial lawyer member under this process will start in August 2026 for a period of three years.
Appointment as a Board member is a statutory appointment for a maximum initial term of three years with the possibility of reappointment with a maximum total appointment term of six years in accordance with the ACT Governance Principles: Appointment, Boards and Committees, July 2025.
Board Responsibilities
The Board oversees registration of architects in the ACT and determines who may be registered as an architect in the Territory. It has a range of powers to investigate complaints against architects and to discipline those who are found to have acted unprofessionally or incompetently.
The Board's functions are to:
• register architects;
• investigate complaints given to the Board about registered and unregistered people;
• consider whether it is necessary to take occupational discipline against registered architects, including former registered architects, and, if it is, to apply to the ACAT for occupational discipline orders;
• consider and report to the Minister about issues referred to the Board by the Minister for advice;
• advise the Minister in relation to the practice of architecture, for example, about codes of professional conduct;
• further a common and harmonious approach to the administration of legislation about architects by cooperation with local jurisdictions1;
• accredit courses of study in architecture; and
• provide general advice to consumers about the professional conduct and standards of competence expected of registered architects.
1 local jurisdiction means the Commonwealth, a State or New Zealand.

The Board operates independently, impartially and in the public interest. However, the Minister
can give a direction to the Board about its exercise of functions, if it is in the public interest to do
so. A direction cannot be given about the registration of architects, including renewal,
cancellation, disciplinary action and refusal to register. The Board's decisions about disciplinary
action can be appealed in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Members
The Board is made up of five members consisting of:
• one member nominated in writing by a representative body that has the promotion of the
interests of architects as a main purpose
• one member who is, or has recently been, an academic architect
• one member who is a registered architect
• one member who is a commercial lawyer with experience in either consumer protection law
or trade practices law or both
• one member to represent community interests who is not a registered architect.
Remuneration
The Board meets at least four times a year. Members are entitled to a sitting fee for attending
meetings. Current sitting fees can be found here.
Expressions of Interests
Expressions of interest must be in writing and signed by the applicant. Please include the following
in your application:
• a current CV outlining your legal qualifications and experience in consumer protection law
and/or trade practices law,
• evidence of legal qualifications (for example, degree, admission certificate)
• a statement identifying whether you have any conflicts of interest or other matters that may
affect whether you could carry out all or some functions of a Board member,
• a statement indicating any other Board or statutory positions you hold,
• a statement indicating whether you have at any time been convicted, in Australia or
elsewhere, of an offence punishable by imprisonment for 1 year or longer,
• a statement indicating whether you are currently bankrupt or personally insolvent.
You are encouraged to provide information on why you are interested in the position and any other
information you think is relevant to your application.
In accordance with government principles, advertising of upcoming vacancies and selection of
Board members is an open and competitive process.
This position is advertised on the ACT Diversity Register and the ACT Jobs site.
Lodging your Expression of Interest
Please send your written nomination in a PDF or Word format via email to:
EPSDDBuildingReform@act.gov.au with “EOI – Architects Board - Commercial Lawyer Member” in
the title.
Expressions of interest must be lodged by 11:59 pm on Thursday 5 March 2026.

Internal positions vacant

Senior Lawyer, Investigations and Litigation

The ACT Law Society is currently accepting applications for a Senior Lawyer, Investigations and Litigation, to contribute to a vital new chapter in the Society’s regulatory function.  

This newly created position is part of our recent move to bring investigation and litigation functions in-house – a strategic step to strengthen our ability to uphold professional standards and protect the public.  

As Senior Lawyer, you’ll play a critical role in supporting the Society’s maintenance of high standards of legal practice in the ACT and the protection of consumers of legal services.  

Reporting to the Principal Lawyer, Investigations and Litigation, you will have conduct of investigations into disciplinary and suitability matters and represent the Society in litigated matters before ACAT and the Courts. You will also work closely with our Professional Standards team and contribute to the Society’s broader regulatory and awareness initiatives. 

If you’re passionate about the profession and want to make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you.  

Key Responsibilities 

• Conduct investigations into complaints about practitioners, trust accounts and suitability matters relating to legal practitioners under the Legal Profession Act 2006 (ACT) 

• Engage with complainants, practitioners, counsel and third parties through clear, professional communication  

• Prepare legal advice and briefing notes for Council and delegated committees on investigations, disciplinary, suitability and litigated matters in a timely manner 

• Draft applications in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal and appear on behalf of the Society, or brief and liaise with external counsel or legal representation as required  

• Contribute to the development of internal policies, procedures and guidelines 

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, sharing knowledge with other teams to support education programs and resources promoting ethical and professional legal practice 

What You’ll Bring 

• Admission as solicitor of an Australian Supreme Court with a current practising certificate (or eligibility to obtain one) 

• At least 5 years PQE with demonstrated litigation and advocacy experience 

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills  

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with proven expertise in interpreting legislation, case law and regulatory rules 

• Demonstrated sound judgment in assessing and resolving complex factual and legal issues 

• Ability to quickly master new and evolving areas of law 

• Excellent attention to detail and organisation in maintaining accurate records. 

• Experience in regulatory, disciplinary or complaint-handling environments (highly desirable) 

• Sound understanding of administrative law principles and best practices (desirable) 

• A professional disciplinary record free from any adverse findings. 

 

Core Competencies 

• High integrity and professionalism, acting consistently with honesty, trustworthiness and respect. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, able to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. 

• Strong planning and time-management capabilities, delivering to deadlines in a small-team setting. 

• Commitment to fostering a workplace culture that reflects the Society’s vision and objectives. 

 

What We Offer 

• Generous leave entitlements. 

• 35-hour full-time work week. 

• Flexible work arrangements available. 

• Access to Employee Assistance program. 

• A collaborative, values-driven environment where your leadership will shape the future of legal regulation in the ACT. 

Applications close: 11:59 pm, 6 March 2026 

The Position Description can be accessed here. Part-time arrangements will be considered for the right candidate.  

 

Scholarship opportunities