APS 4, APS 5, APS 6, EL 1, and EL 2 (Multiple Classifications and Positions) – Legal Officers

Job Description

The Role

Defence’s response to our current strategic environment has put Defence Legal at the forefront. We need to expand our team to meet the demands of senior leadership and client groups.

The nature of our work varies, with lawyers required to assist in a range of challenging, interesting and highly rewarding roles. These include legal support on:

•                Afghanistan Inquiry Response Task Force, including implementation activities, legal proceedings, and assisting with the protection of national security information.

•                Complex and sensitive disputes, including class actions, commercial claims, compensation claims, and other matters involving financial and reputational risk.

•                Defence sponsored international agreements of strategic significance (including the AUKUS arrangement) including safety, regulation, environmental protection, infrastructure and workforce issues.

•                Future capabilities in areas of law including nuclear, information, data, space and cyber.

•                Defence’s contribution to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, including attending hearings, responding to compulsory notices, and making confidentiality claims.

About our Team

Defence Legal has a dynamic and collegiate team, made up of Australian Defence Force (ADF) and APS lawyers with expertise in a range of law, from operations and intelligence, to commercial and administrative law. We bring global perspectives, innovative approaches to problem solving with a preference for alternative dispute resolution processes, and have a range of skills and experience.

We offer a family friendly environment, flexible work life balance, extensive training and mentoring, and a strong culture of collaboration, leadership and agility. Defence lawyers are highly skilled and highly sought in the legal sector and its lawyers advise on, and finalise, some of the most strategically significant projects in Australia.

Defence Legal is recognised by its client groups for its professionalism, pragmatism and responsiveness and has client satisfaction ratings of the highest levels. It is the 2018 recipient of the Lawyers’ Weekly Government Law Team of the Year Award.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are looking to fill a variety of current and expected vacancies from APS4 to EL2. Lawyers at all levels will have the opportunity to demonstrate their unique leadership qualities as part of teams coordinating important initiatives that will shape the future of Defence and the ADF.

To be considered for these roles, you will need to be able to demonstrate:

•                Relevant experience or knowledge in a relevant practice area, or general legal experience,

•                Ability to provide pragmatic, responsive and results focused advice,

•                Good client engagement and relationship management skills,

•                Strong analytical and communication skills, and

•                A collaborative, positive, team focused and collegiate outlook.

Defence Legal headquarters is located in Canberra and some roles are located here. For other roles, we support remote work so encourage lawyers from across Australia to apply. Some roles require travel for periods (eg, several months in Sydney to observe court hearings). Salary negotiation is available.

Application Closing Date: Thursday 28 July, 2022

For further information please review the job information pack, reference DESG/03941/22 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=83495E60-A2BB-0D53-AEA2-C8A7D56C12C9