Advise and represent the State in the most significant litigation and arbitration matters to Western Australia

About the role

The State Solicitor’s Office (the Office) is seeking experienced lawyers to join our busy Public and General Litigation (PGL) team.

The Public and General Litigation section provides legal services to the Attorney General, Ministers, departments and agencies across a broad range of disputes. Lawyers in the section work on matters including  administrative and public law, commercial and contractual claims, class actions, arbitration, state revenue recoveries and other complex disputes.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of government, representing the State of Western Australia in matters that are often legally complex, high-profile and politically sensitive.

In this role, you will:

• Provide legal advice and representation across a broad range of contentious matters.
• Conduct litigation and have the opportunity to appear in courts and tribunals on behalf of the State.
• Manage complex legal matters and build strong relationships with government clients and key stakeholders.

• Supervise, mentor and support junior lawyers while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

• Contribute to the delivery of high-quality legal services to the Western Australian Government.

This recruitment process is designed to identify a body of suitable lawyers at the following levels:

• Assistant State Solicitor - Level L5LG $221,389 per annum or pro rata plus super.
• Senior Assistant State Solicitor - Level L6LG $244,359 - $273,991per annum or pro rata plus super.

Offers of employment which are drawn from this recruitment pool will be for fixed term opportunities, with the potential for permanent appointment in the future. The decision on how many offers of employment will be made, at what levels and when, will be determined by business needs. 

If you would like further information regarding this opportunity prior to making an application, please contact either:

• Chris Owen, Deputy State Solicitor – PGL via email owen@sso.wa.gov.au or phone (08) 9264 1584 to organise a time for a confidential discussion; or
• Cath Ide, Adviser – PGL via email ide@sso.wa.gov.au or phone (08) 9264 1158 to organise a time for a confidential discussion

About us

The State Solicitor's Office is responsible for the provision of broad based, high quality legal services to the Government of Western Australia and to a wide range of state government client departments and agencies including advice on law reform. You can find more about the Office, its functions and key contributions here

The Office is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and value the unique contributions of all employees. We are committed to improving employment opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as outlined in our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.   

To support this commitment, we have applied Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) to this recruitment process. This vacancy is open to all interested applicants, however Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

What does this mean? See the attached Section 51 – Guide for Applicants for more information. 

About you

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

• Experience in the conduct of litigation at all stages, from pre-action through to trial and/or settlement.
• An ability to work on matters of varying size and timescales, including long-running litigation, shorter disputes and urgent applications.
• Experience in, or a desire to gain exposure to, multiple courts and tribunals, including the State Administrative Tribunal, Magistrates Court, District Court, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court.
• Strong legal and analytical skills, including the ability to identify and manage legal, factual and strategic issues.
• Well-developed communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to build productive client relationships. The ability to work collaboratively, supervise others and contribute positively to a high-performing team.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the attached Job Description Form (JDF), which outlines the role requirements and selection criteria. This information will assist applicants in preparing their application.

How to apply

If you don’t want to miss out on this great opportunity, apply now by submitting:

• A Comprehensive CV outlining your experience and key achievements related to the position.
• A covering letter of no more than two pages addressing the key criteria as outlined under role requirements. Please use this as an opportunity to tell us about some situations you have experienced that demonstrate these key criteria to support your claims.
• Copies of any relevant qualifications.

Note: during the selection process we'll be assessing applicants against all the qualifications outlined in the JDF.

Please allow sufficient time to submit your application, as late applications will not be accepted.

To submit your application, click the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this page. Emailed applications will not be accepted.

Employee Benefits

As an employee of the State Solicitor's Office, you can enjoy the following:

• Generous leave entitlements, including 3 extra public service holidays per year.
• Cultural leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff.
• Access to a free Employee Assistance Program.
• Salary packaging is available.
• 12% Superannuation
• Discounted Private Health Insurance with eligible providers.
• Access to a fitness passport - use any eligible gym, Australia wide!

Other important information

Support

If you have access needs that may require adjustments to allow you to fully participate at any stage of the selection process, please can contact SSOHR at ssohr@sso.wa.gov.au for a confidential discussion.

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who would like assistance with your application, please contact Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64.

Subsequent Vacancies

The Office may conduct further search activities after the closing date, if required, to extend the field of applicants. 

Applicants found suitable but not recommended for this vacancy, may be considered for subsequent similar vacancies in the Department for a period of twelve (12) months.

The recommended applicant will be required to complete a pre-employment screening process prior to appointment. This includes undergoing employment screening, which includes a National Criminal History Check and other checks that may be relevant to the position requirements.