Senior Solicitor
Senior Solicitor V Criminal Law
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Salary range $154,403.00 - $157,430.00 pa (plus superannuation and leave loading)
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Temporary 12 Month Full-time contract with the possibility of extension or permanent conversion
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Newcastle Location
About us
Legal Aid NSW delivers accessible legal services across criminal, family and civil law. We provide advice, court representation, and family dispute resolution through 28 offices and phone-based support, helping people navigate the legal system with confidence and fairness.
About the role
Provide legal advice and representation to clients of Legal Aid NSW, including in more complex matters, in accordance with Legal Aid NSW policies and guidelines in order to contribute to the implementation of Legal Aid NSW’s mission to deliver high quality legal services to our clients and to assist them to resolve their legal problems. Supervise and lead junior legal staff in achieving this aim.
About you
You are an experienced criminal law solicitor who can confidently manage a high‑volume and complex practice while delivering high‑quality advice and representation to vulnerable clients. You communicate clearly with people from diverse backgrounds and apply Legal Aid NSW policies, legislation and guidelines consistently in your work.
You are a supportive leader who mentors junior staff, oversees their development, and actively promotes wellbeing by managing workloads and exposure to distressing material.
In this Newcastle‑based Practice Manager role, you provide strong leadership across the Local Court practice, ensuring efficient, effective and client‑focused service delivery.
You build positive relationships with courts, agencies and internal stakeholders, and you are committed to Legal Aid NSW’s mission to provide accessible and compassionate legal services to the community.
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW!
We are committed to diversity and inclusion
We are committed to creating a culturally safe and genuinely inclusive organisation and workplace for everyone who works and interacts with us. We strive to be a place where people from diverse backgrounds want to work, where voices and cultures are valued and where people feel valued, welcomed, respected and heard.
We want a workforce that reflects our clients, so we can deliver a service that meets the needs of the community. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds — including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, the LGBTQI+ community, culturally diverse people and other diverse communities.
We acknowledge, support and accommodate the diverse access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities.
For application support (including accessing information or require the application in an alternate format) or recruitment adjustments please contact the Talent Acquisition Team at erecruitment@legalaid.nsw.gov.au or 02 9134 9347.
To learn more about Recruitment and Workplace Adjustments please visit Adjustments for individual needs | I Work for NSW.
Other benefits of working with us
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You will have access to training, development and mentoring opportunities.
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We are an accredited Flex Ready and Carers and Employers certified employer and are recognised as leaders in flexible work. Most of our staff work flexibly — for example, from home some of the time or in a way that helps them balance family and work life
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Find out more at Working at Legal Aid NSW
The essential requirements for this role
You must:
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be admitted or be eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW
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be able to provide a current NSW Practising Certificate before you start work with us
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be willing to do a Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check
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hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency (for ongoing vacancies) or a valid visa to work in Australia (for temporary vacancies)
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Certain roles within Criminal Law (mainly in the regional areas) require a valid Driver Licence and the ability to travel to circuit courts including overnight travel.
How to apply
You must submit your application online. Applications received late or by email, will not be accepted. Please make sure your application is complete, and that you have answered all questions before submitting.
Your application must include:
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your resume (no more than 5 pages)
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cover letter (no more than 2 pages). In your cover letter, please address the below two targeted questions:
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Target Question 1- In this Newcastle Practice Manager role, you will oversee the Local Court practice and work with many different stakeholders. How have you built strong working relationships to improve services for clients with diverse or complex needs?
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Target Question 2 - Describe a time when you managed a busy or complex criminal law practice while supporting junior staff. How did you maintain high‑quality client service and look after the team’s wellbeing?
We may use this recruitment to create a talent pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.
Do you need help to apply?
If you have questions about the role, you can reach out to Robyn Fraser - Solicitor in Charge Crime Newcastle on Robyn.Fraser@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact Legal Aid NSW Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have.
The Role Description sets out the responsibilities and Focus Capabilities of the role.
The focus capabilities and key accountabilities in the role description indicate what is expected at that level. Being familiar with these will help you understand what the panel will be looking for in the successful candidate.
Applying for a role is a great NSW Government resource for helping you prepare your application.
Closing Date: Sunday 26/04/2026 at 11.59pm
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