The Role

General Counsel - Dispute Resolution and Litigation Branch (GC-DRL) in Defence Legal is seeking appropriately qualified, dynamic and motivated APS 3, APS 4, APS 5, APS 6 and EL1 Legal Officers to join the Branch at its Campbell Park office in Canberra.

As a Legal Officer you will work collaboratively to manage, assess and advise on a diverse range of litigation and disputes, including sensitive and complex matters. These claims often require management of financial and reputational risk as well as engagement with client groups and external stakeholders. Litigated claims will necessarily involve working closely with external legal service providers and counsel.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Agreement (DEA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team

GC-DRL, within Defence Legal, provides strategic legal advice on all litigation and dispute resolution, on behalf of Defence. GC-DRL is an integrated team of APS lawyers, paralegals, contracted lawyers and administrative staff. The team works on a diverse range of matters, including significant litigation, and regularly engages with a variety of internal client areas, external stakeholders, other areas of Defence Legal, external legal advisers and counsel, while adhering to internal and Court-related deadlines.

Some of the main streams of work in GC-DRL are:

• Managing claims against the Commonwealth including inquests, contractual disputes, commercial claims, personal injury claims, work health and safety matters (including prosecutions), judicial review challenges, debt recovery actions and compensation claims.
• Responding to court orders such as subpoenas and summonses, legislative requests and police requests and search warrants and assisting with the protection of information.
• Managing common law compensation claims relating to alleged historic abuse.
• Managing historic contamination-related claims

Our Ideal Candidate

• Relevant experience managing litigation and dispute resolution matters (with a minimum of 1-3 years’ post-admission experience for APS 3–6 Legal Officers, and 4 years’ post-admission experience for EL1 Legal Officers).
• Ideally, a good knowledge of the Commonwealth legal environment.
• An ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing work priorities.
• An ability to adhere to deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Good client engagement and relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• You are a motivated self-starter.
• A collaborative, positive, team focused and collegiate outlook.

Application Closing Date: Thursday 27 March 2025

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASG/01708/25 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=559D6847-E1AD-C4C8-9CA5-E3A6B494A701