Principal Litigation Solicitor - Team Leader

The Law Society of New South Wales is Australia’s largest membership body for solicitors. It shares co-regulatory duties with the NSW Legal Services Commissioner to ensure professional standards and integrity within the profession.

We are currently looking for a full time permanent Principal Litigation Solicitor and Team Leader to join our Legal Regulation team.

About the role

The Principal Litigation Solicitor – Team Leader (PLS-TL) takes instructions from the Council of the Law Society of New South Wales (Council) and undertakes litigation on behalf of the Council in the exercise of its legal regulatory functions in complex matters. In this role, you will supervise the Law Society’s investigations into queries and allegations about persons who may have engaged in unqualified legal practice and/or held themselves or other entities out as entitled to engage in legal practice whilst not qualified.

You will also support the Deputy Director, Litigation and External Intervention (DDLEI) in the efficient and effective management of the litigation practice and provide day-to-day supervision of the junior litigation staff.

What you'll be doing

  • Conduct litigation before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT), the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the NSW Local Court, the NSW District Court and other courts on behalf of the Council in complex matters.
  • Prepare for and appear in proceedings before the Courts and NCAT, including drafting, settling and filing Applications and other initiating processes such as Court Attendance Notices, Statements of Facts, subpoena and summonses, Instruments of Consent; gathers evidence and marshals witnesses; researches relevant legislation and cases, prepares submissions, briefs counsel as required and when approved and completes itemised bills for recovery of costs.
  • Prepare advices for and take instructions from the Council and from the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) when it exercises delegated powers from the Council.
  • Prepare responses to subpoena and summonses served on the Law Society and appears on return dates.
  • Expeditiously peruse, analyse and master facts and issues in reports prepared by Investigations Solicitors and external interveners, Council's instructions, and counsel's advice.
  • Support the DDLEI in the management of the litigation practice and Litigation Team and provides day-to-day supervision of litigation staff.
  • Provide guidance to professional staff in the Professional Standards Division of the Legal Regulation Department (PSD-LRD) in relation to the conduct of investigations, gathering of evidence, and preparation and conduct of matters referred for litigation or commenced against the Council by external parties.
  • Notify stakeholders of court results and orders in a timely fashion.
  • Supervise the investigation of queries and allegations about persons who may have engaged in unqualified legal practice and/or held themselves and other entities out as entitled to engage in legal practice whilst not qualified.
  • Assist the DDLEI with ad hoc project work and strategic initiatives as required.
  • Identify and report to DDLEI aspects of legal regulatory legislation requiring amendment.

About you

  • Appropriate graduate qualifications.
  • Admission as an Australian Lawyer.
  • Holder of a current local practising certificate.
  • Extensive team management experience
  • Extensive relevant litigation experience.
  • Possesses a thorough understanding of the privileges and responsibilities that attend a solicitor in practice.
  • Demonstrates knowledge coupled with practical experience and the ability to identify a relevant alleged breach of the law and litigating it with a view to protecting members of the public from similar breaches by other lay associates or solicitors.
  • Demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding of the Uniform Law, ancillary Acts and Rules and relevant Court and Tribunal Acts and Rules and can apply the same.
  • Possesses highly developed staff supervision skills and the ability to manage one’s own practice and the team’s practice in a busy litigation environment.
  • Is capable of listening and assimilating information from others, identifying various potential outcomes and consequences, presenting dispassionate and persuasive arguments.
  • Has a proven ability and willingness to use clear, concise language in correspondence, reports, advices and submissions.
  • Leads by example in being a litigant of reason, fairness, objectivity, integrity and professionalism.
  • Demonstrates an ability to plan and organise self and other team members to ensure the timely completion of tasks.
  • Demonstrates an ability to structure, engage and present information clearly and dispassionately in liaison and communication with stakeholders and before Courts and Tribunals.
  • Has a proven ability to digest and analyse complex facts and evidence, prepare reports and conduct litigation in a manner consonant with Council’s regulatory and protective role.
  • Can appropriately prioritise cases, gather and analyse the required information to identify issues; and identify, gather and adduce the most probative evidence to seek to prove allegations to the requisite standard.
  • Demonstrates computer skills, including word processing capabilities, proficiency with email and internet and data base applications, and experience using programs, such as MS Word, Oracle and Excel.

To apply

The Law Society of New South Wales is committed to building and maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace, appointing the best person for the role and supporting diversity.

Applications must contain a CV and cover letter that outlines your key experience and motivations for this role.

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