Solicitor Advocate & Principal Solicitor - Public Interest & Protection

• Classification grade: Legal Officer Grade VI
• Salary: $170,841 – $174,440 p.a. base salary. Superannuation and annual leave loading are paid in addition to the base salary.
• Employment Status: Full-Time – 35 hours per week, 24 months with a possibility or extension or conversion to ongoing
• Location: Our primary place of work is located at 252 Pitt Street, Sydney.

About the Solicitor Advocate role

We are seeking a Solicitor Advocate (Legal Officer Grade VI) with advocacy expertise in matters within the Public Interest & Protection practice group. The successful candidate will work under the leadership of the Director and play a key role in the practice group.

Solicitor Advocate will be expected to possess strong technical legal knowledge in order to act as a subject matter expert and also play an important leadership role within the practice group, promoting the effective delivery of strategic CSO priorities, as well as supporting staff development and overseeing the delivery of high-quality legal services.

We are looking for the successful applicant to commence in February 2027.

About the Principal Solicitor role

As a Principal Solicitor (Legal Officer Grade VI) at the Crown Solicitor's Office (CSO), you will be instrumental in delivering high-quality legal services to the NSW Government and its agencies. This role involves conducting highly complex legal matters, including advice and litigation, while supervising solicitors at various grades to ensure that the legal services provided are cost-effective and client focused. You will manage a diverse caseload, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements and CSO policies, while also mentoring junior staff to foster their professional development.

The role presents challenges such as balancing urgent legal demands with staff supervision and competing against the private sector for legal work. You will need to demonstrate resilience and effective decision-making while managing your own complex legal matters and stepping into more senior responsibilities when required. Building strong relationships with internal teams and external clients will be crucial for success in this role.

We are looking for the successful applicant to commence as soon as possible.

About the Practice Group

• The Public Interest & Protection Practice Group provides advice and representation to NSW Government agencies in highly complex and sensitive legal work, including:
• Public interest immunity claims in civil and criminal matters across all jurisdictions
• Charitable trust matters for the Attorney General
• Discrimination matters, including class actions
• Guardianship matters

The role involves

Providing authoritative legal advice and representation in complex and sensitive matters.

Managing matters with a high degree of autonomy, accountability and professional judgment.

Advising government clients on emerging legal issues, risks and strategic implications.

Contributing to the development of precedents, procedures and professional knowledge across the Practice Group.

To learn more about the Solicitor Advocate, please review the role description.

To learn more about the Principal Solicitor, please review the role description.

Our ideal candidate.

Applicants must possess at least five years' post-admission experience in the relevant area(s) of law.

Demonstrated leadership experience, including the supervision, mentoring and professional development of legal staff.

The ability to provide clear, practical and strategic advice on complex legal issues.

Sound professional judgment and the ability to work autonomously in a high-pressure environment.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients, counsel, experts, witnesses and court officials.

Essential requirements

Completion of a law degree from an accredited law school or completion of the Legal Practitioners Admission Board’s Diploma in Law Course.

Admission or eligibility for admission as an unrestricted legal practitioner in NSW.

Authoritative specialist with highly developed legal knowledge and extensive experience which enable provision of advice and representation in highly complex and sensitive legal matters in areas of law in which the Public Interest & Protection team specialises.

Travel for regional or interstate court and other commitments subject to the application of any discrimination legislation (including in respect of carer’s responsibilities).

How to apply

For your application to be considered, you must submit your application online and include:

An updated resume; and

a cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role.

The selection process may include a range of assessment techniques to assist hiring managers in determining your suitability for the role.

Please note: You can request adjustments throughout each step of the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or alternative formats to participate in the process, please contact Margaret Ters, Talent Acquisition Partner on 0427 413 924 or email [email protected] to further discuss.

Closing date: Sunday, 8 November 2026 (AEST 7:59PM)

Recruitment enquiries: Margaret Ters, Talent Acquisition Partner, [email protected], 0427 413 924

Who we are?

The NSW Crown Solicitors Office (CSO) provides high-quality and cost-effective legal services to the NSW Government and its agencies. As a trusted legal advisor to the NSW Government, our principal role is to advise and represent agencies so that they can deliver policies, programs and projects in a lawful, effective and efficient manner.

We act with integrity and professional independence, guided by the government sector's core values. We are focussed on providing excellent client service and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. We also provide our people with opportunities to learn, develop and adapt within an inclusive and supportive environment.

For more information about the CSO, click here.

Our commitment to flexible working

The CSO has adopted a teams-based approach to flexible working. We recognise that everyone has different needs and preferences, and our flexible work culture allows you to adapt your work routine to suit you. We’re all about flexibility, productivity and driving good client outcomes.

We have generous leave provisions available for our employees that acknowledge individual preferences and responsibilities including:

Up to 20 days recreation leave and up to 18 days flex leave per annum

20 days purchased leave annually

Inclusive paid parental leave provisions of up to 16 weeks (14 weeks + 2 bonus weeks) which can be taken flexibly within the first 24 months to support the birth, adoption, altruistic surrogacy or permanent out-of-home care placement of a child

Study time up to 4 hours per week (eligibility criteria applies)

Extended Leave of up to 44 days after 10 years or up to 30.8 days after 7 years of service.

How we support health & wellbeing

• We offer an employee assistance program to support the wellbeing of employees in the workplace and in their personal lives, which also extends to family members
• Coaching services are available for people leaders and executives to learn and implement best practices to manage their team’s wellbeing
• We offer an annual Flu Vaccination program
• We provide access to the Fitness Passport program – a discounted workplace health and fitness program available to staff and their families

CSO's commitment to diversity

The CSO is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including (but not limited to) people with diverse ability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, women, and people with caring responsibilities.

We continue to learn new ways to be more inclusive every day and are committed to making improvements in the recruitment process and in the workplace, so that all individuals feel safe and supported to apply for roles.