Role and Responsibilities

As the Principal Solicitor, you will be the founding legal leader of our new firm, responsible for both high-quality legal service delivery and the operational setup of the practice. Your key duties will include:

Practice Establishment & Compliance: Setting up and managing the law firm’s operations, policies, and procedures. You will make sure the firm meets all requirements for a legal practice, including trust account management etc.

Legal Services Leadership: Providing expert legal advice and representation to clients. You will lead by example in delivering excellent client service and maintaining high ethical standards.

Team Supervision & Mentorship: Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers, paralegals, and migration consultants on the team. A crucial part of this role is sharing knowledge and guiding our existing staff who are working towards their own solicitor admissions, helping to develop their skills and legal careers.

Integration & Collaboration: Working closely with the existing migration practice to integrate legal services seamlessly. You’ll collaborate with non-legal team members to ensure our clients receive comprehensive solutions, and you’ll help train staff on legal procedures and requirements.

Strategic Growth: Contributing to the strategic direction and growth of the firm. This includes identifying opportunities to expand our client base, developing the firm’s reputation in the Brisbane market, and potentially building new practice areas over time. You will play an active role in business development initiatives and marketing of the new firm’s services.

· As the holder of a Principal Practising Certificate and as a designated Responsible Person, provide legal oversight for services under their direction delivered by legal and support staff, and manage legal risk and supervision systems that ensure professional and regulatory obligations, are embedded, monitored and complied with consistently across all of the legal practice

Qualifications and Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

Principal Practising Certificate or able to upgrade by meeting the requirements of Practice Management Course

A strong background in legal practice with approximately 3–5+ years of post-admission experience. Experience in one or more of our focus areas – migration law, family law, or property law – is highly desirable. Note: More experienced candidates are encouraged to apply; we value the insight and leadership that comes with experience and will consider a higher PQE for this pivotal role.

Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team or legal practice. You should be comfortable setting up workflows, managing files, and ensuring compliance with regulatory obligations. Prior experience in a supervisory role or managing junior lawyers will be advantageous.

A genuine willingness to share knowledge and mentor others. You should enjoy working with developing professionals and be committed to helping them grow into competent solicitors. Strong interpersonal skills and patience in training/mentoring are a must.

Excellent understanding of the professional and ethical obligations involved in running a law firm. Familiarity with trust accounting, risk management, and other practice management issues will be important. You will be responsible for upholding the firm’s compliance with all legal profession regulations and legislation at all times.

A proactive and business-minded approach. Since this is a new practice, an entrepreneurial spirit and ability to drive business development will be highly valued. You should be eager to help shape the firm’s strategy, attract new clients, and innovate in service offerings.

We strongly encourage applications from senior solicitors who are:

· Looking to step back from the demands of running their own firm but still wish to practice law in a leadership position.

· Open to bringing their existing client base into a new, supportive structure.

· Interested in taking on a reduced caseload while contributing their knowledge and expertise as a mentor and leader.

What We Offer

Joining us as the Principal Solicitor means you will be at the forefront of an exciting new venture. We offer:

A unique chance to lead a law firm from its inception.

An attractive salary package commensurate with your experience and qualifications. We are open to negotiation to secure the ideal candidate, especially given the seniority and importance of this role. For the right candidate, an equity or ownership stake in the firm may be on offer as part of a competitive remuneration package.

The backing of an existing business with an established client base in migration services. You won’t be starting from scratch – you’ll have access to our current resources, referral networks, and client relationships, providing a solid foundation for the new legal practice.

A convenient office location in the heart of Brisbane, close to courts, government offices, and public transport. Our modern office environment is conducive to collaboration and client meetings.

The satisfaction of building a team and expanding your professional horizons. This role will provide rich experience in law firm management and the chance to develop leadership skills further. Additionally, you’ll be working in a team that values continuous learning and will support your own professional development (e.g., CPD, further training).

A friendly, inclusive culture that respects work-life balance and encourages innovation. As a new firm, we are open to new ideas and better ways of serving our clients – your input will be valued in shaping how we operate.

How to Apply

If you are excited by the opportunity to build a new law firm and meet the above criteria, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience. Applications will be handled with the strictest confidence.

Join us in this rare opportunity to create something new. We look forward to discussing how you can become an integral part of our team and lead our firm to success.