Job opportunity

Join us in providing the highest quality legal services to the State of WA. 

About the role

The State Solicitor’s Office is seeking an experienced and capable legal practitioner to join the Public and General Litigation section in the role of Assistant State Solicitor - Public and General Litigation. This position offers the opportunity to work at the centre of government, representing the State of Western Australia in a broad range of litigation matters, including matters that may be complex, high profile, or sensitive in nature.

The role involves conducting litigation across diverse areas, including constitutional and administrative law, judicial review, commercial and contractual disputes, and merits review proceedings before the State Administrative Tribunal. Practitioners within the Litigation team operate as generalists, managing work across varying subject areas and may also be required to appear as counsel in a range of courts and tribunals. If you would like further information regarding this opportunity, please contact Cath Ide, A/Deputy State Solicitor – PGL via email c.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 (the Office) enables and supports public centre action by being a centre of excellence in areas of law important to the state. 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. 

Key Criteria

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

• Demonstrate a high level of legal expertise, with proven experience providing advice on complex legal and factual matters.
• Have substantial litigation experience across courts and tribunals, including the conduct of complex matters in courts of inferior jurisdiction.
• Possess experience appearing as counsel in the Magistrates Court, District Court and tribunals, including the conduct of appeals.
• Exhibit strong statutory interpretation skills and sound knowledge of general law, with a well‑developed understanding of government and public policy considerations.
• Show a proven ability to negotiate effectively on matters of significant complexity, sensitivity and public interest.
• Demonstrate the capacity to work collaboratively, provide guidance and mentoring to junior lawyers, and supervise legal teams as required.

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 above. 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.