Solicitor IV
Legal Officer Grade IV
Coronial Inquest Unit (CIU), Civil Law
* Salary range $144,058.00 - $146,831.00 (plus superannuation and leave loading)
* Ongoing Full Time Opportunity x 2
* Location: Central Sydney (Haymarket) - Travel may be required to Regional and Remote locations
About us
Legal Aid NSW delivers accessible legal services across criminal, family and civil law. We provide advice, court representation, and family dispute resolution through 28 offices and phone-based support, helping people navigate the legal system with confidence and fairness.
About the role
This recruitment process will be undertaken to fill two ongoing position and any future temporary vacancies that may arise within the CIU within the year.
The CIU is a statewide service dedicated to assisting individuals navigate the NSW Coronial Jurisdiction.
In this role, you will deliver high-quality, trauma-informed legal advice and minor assistance to all parties engaged in the coronial jurisdiction following an unexpected, unexplained, un-natural or violent death. You will also represent families in coronial proceedings through written and oral advocacy, including briefing counsel for complex matters, while effectively managing a busy legal practice.
This is a unique opportunity to work on some of the most complex, high-profile, and socially significant cases in the coronial jurisdiction, including deaths in custody or during police operations, as well as deaths occurring in care. These matters frequently raise sensitive legal, ethical, and systemic issues that require nuance, empathy, and sound judgment.
You will play a vital role in progressing matters that may influence institutional reform and accountability, while also ensuring that families are supported, informed, and heard throughout the coronial process. As part of a collaborative and high-performing team, you'll contribute to strategic legal work that not only serves individual clients but also promotes broader community safety.
This position is based in Central Sydney and embraces Legal Aid's Flexible Work Policy. Please note that this role may involve some regional or remote travel.
About you
We are looking for a passionate senior Solicitor with experience in or knowledge of the coronial jurisdiction, to lead complex coronial law matters and provide trauma-informed support to vulnerable families. You will assist families and provide advice to other witnesses in relation to the coronial jurisdiction, helping them understand their roles, advocating for families' concerns following the death of a loved one, and doing so with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and clear communication.
You are adept at managing voluminous briefs while balancing legal strategy with compassionate advocacy. You'll brief counsel when required and undertake some advocacy yourself in coronial proceedings. You thrive in a small, fast-paced team environment and are comfortable managing competing deadlines and shifting priorities with limited guidance.
If you are a skilled solicitor committed to social justice, systemic advocacy, and law reform, we would love to hear from you.
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW!
We are committed to diversity and inclusion
We are committed to creating a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for everyone who works and interacts with us. We strive to be a place where people from diverse backgrounds want to work, where voices and cultures are valued and where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.
We want a workforce that reflects our clients, so we can deliver a service that meets the needs of the community. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities.
We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities.
For application support (including accessing information or require the application in an alternate format) or recruitment adjustments please contact the Talent Acquisition Team at or 02 9134 9347.
To learn more about Recruitment and Workplace Adjustments please visit Adjustments for individual needs | I Work for NSW.
Other benefits of working with us
* You will have access to training, development and mentoring opportunities.
* We are an accredited Flex Ready and Carers and Employers certified employer and are recognised as leaders in flexible work. Most of our staff work flexibly — for example, from home some of the time or in a way that helps them balance family and work life
* Find out more at Working at Legal Aid NSW
The essential requirements for this role
You must:
* be admitted or be eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW
* be able to provide a current (unrestricted) NSW Practising Certificate before you start work with us
* be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check
* hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (for ongoing vacancies) or a valid visa to work in Australia (for temporary vacancies)
How to apply
You must submit your application online. Applications received late or by email, will not be accepted. Please make sure your application is complete, and that you have answered all questions before submitting.
Your application must include:
* your resume (no more than 5 pages)
* cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please respond to the following two (2) targeted questions.
* Please outline how your experience equips you for this role, including any relevant expertise in the coronial jurisdiction.
* Please describe your experience providing trauma informed legal advice or representation to clients experiencing hardship and disadvantage. How do you combine effective legal advocacy with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and clear communication in sensitive matters?
We may use this recruitment to create a talent pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.
Do you need help to apply?
It's important to properly prepare before you apply for a role. Here is some other information to help you:
* If you have questions about the role, you can contact the Hiring Manager, Danielle Captain-Webb on or on 02 4337 6655.
* If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have.
* The Role Description sets out the responsibilities and Focus Capabilities of the role.
* The focus capabilities and key accountabilities in the role description indicate what is expected at that level. Being familiar with these will help you understand what the panel will be looking for in the successful candidate.
* Applying for a Role
* Working at Legal Aid NSW
Closing Date: Wednesday 13th May 2026 at 11:59 pm