Solicitor Advocate
Inquests, Inquiries and Representation
Principal location – Parramatta - Flexible working arrangements may be negotiated.
Employment type – Ongoing – Full time (35 hours)
Salary – Legal Officer – Grade 6, Base Salary ($165,865 - $169,359), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
Your role
This is a senior leadership opportunity to manage complex, sensitive and high-profile inquests, inquiries and conduct litigation on behalf of the State. As a Solicitor Advocate in the Inquests, Inquiries and Representation team, you will lead advocacy and strategic legal work while supervising and mentoring a skilled legal team. The role offers meaningful public sector impact, exposure to significant matters including deaths in custody and commissions of inquiry, and the opportunity to shape legal practice, standards and capability within the Department.
Applicants need to be compassionate and empathetic, and have a high level of personal resilience.
What You’ll Do
As part of the Inquests, Inquiries and Representation team within Legal, you will lead and manage highly complex litigation, advisory and inquiry matters. You will provide strategic legal advice, appear as a solicitor advocate, and supervise the delivery of high-quality, client-focused legal services across the team, including
Provide assistance in coronial inquests and inquiriesRepresent the Department in inquests, inquiries, courts and tribunals, including matters against senior and opposing counselRepresent the Commissioner of Corrective Services in inquests into deaths in custodyAdvise and represent the Attorney General in interstate prisoner transfer mattersRepresent witnesses before investigatory bodies such as ICAC and the Law Enforcement Conduct CommissionRepresent Youth Justice in the Children’s Court with respect to parole mattersManage complex, contentious and sensitive cases of significance to the StateSupervise and mentor solicitors (Grades I–V) and paralegal staffReview and settle complex legal documents including submissions, briefing notes and reportsContribute to legislative review, law reform initiatives and practice developmentLead strategic legal projects and contribute to continuous improvement of legal servicesWork as part of a high-performing, collaborative team of experienced litigators and advocates committed to excellence in public law practice.
What We’re Looking For
Extensive experience managing complex litigation, inquests or inquiries, with demonstrated capability to appear as a solicitor advocate in courts, tribunals or commissions of inquiry.Strong leadership experience supervising and mentoring legal practitioners, allocating work, monitoring performance and fostering a cohesive, high-performing team.Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive, high-profile matters involving multiple stakeholders, balancing competing priorities while maintaining professional and ethical qualifications and eligibility to hold a practising certificate as a government legal practitioner issued by the NSW Law Society, with Condition 2 removed.
This role may require the ability to undertake travel for regional court and other commitments subject to the application of any discrimination legislation (including in respect of carer’s responsibilities).
Download the role description.
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We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.
What We Offer
We offer a variety of benefits, including:
A challenging and rewarding careerFlexible, autonomous work environmentCompetitive pay and conditionsTraining and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilitiesHealth & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.
We do work that really matters
Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.
Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!
Are you ready to join us?
Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).
Applications close: Sunday, 15 March 2026 at 11:59pm AEDT.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Lyncoln Chee at
If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Lois Jebin at
Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.
Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit
We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.
To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.
Other Information
A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.
For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.
Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
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