Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Senior Legal, Policy & Liaison Officer

Office of the Legal Services Commissioner

• Location - Sydney CBD with flexible working arrangements available
• Employment type - Ongoing - Full time (35 hours)
• Salary -Legal Officer - Grade 5, Base Salary ($154,403 - $157,430), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

Your role

This role provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to the resolution of disputes between clients and lawyers, and the regulation of the legal profession in NSW. As a legal expert, you will play a key role in the investigation of alleged misconduct, interpretation of policy, and liaison with legal and regulatory agencies, ensuring high professional standards and compliance with the law. If you are passionate about law, this is a chance to have a direct impact on the legal community while working in a dynamic and challenging environment.

What you'll do

As part of the Office of the NSW Legal Services Commissioner (OLSC), you will conduct complex and sensitive investigations into complaints about lawyers and provide efficient and effective legal services to support the complaint handling functions of the Legal Services Commissioner. You will also co-ordinate feedback to consultations and policy submissions and be the primary contact for external State and Federal Government Agencies, as well as Interstate corresponding authorities and Ministerial and Parliamentary Services.

You will also:

• Conduct preliminary assessment of complaints about lawyers and/or law practices and allocate to staff for action, giving advice as to appropriate lines of inquiry and strategy.
• Conduct investigations into complaints about lawyers and/or law practices and recommend to the Commissioner whether disciplinary proceedings should be initiated.
• Assist in the conduct of internal reviews.
• Provide high level legal advice to the Commissioner, senior management and staff on the interpretation and application of relevant legislation.
• Coordinate feedback and policy submissions in response to inquiries and consultations conducted by external agencies.
• Liaise with external Federal and State government agencies, Interstate corresponding authorities and Ministerial / Parliamentary Services, including with respect to Ministerial Requests for Advice and other correspondence.
• Field enquiries and advise staff (including administrative staff) about day-to-day contact with stakeholders.
• Assist in the recruitment, onboarding and training of new OLSC staff, and management of the OLSC legal unit.

What we're looking for

• Legal Qualifications, with post admission experience working as an investigator
• Experience in policy and liaison work (preferably in the area of legal profession regulation)
• Current unsupervised Australian practising certificate (or eligible to apply for one, having completed the required period of supervised legal practice)

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now' button.

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 career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & 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: Friday, 18 July 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Alfred Matalani at [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW' page.