Senior Solicitor Walama Unit
Job Description
Senior Solicitor – Walama Unit – Crime Division - Legal Officer V
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Salary Range: $154,403.00 - $157,430.00
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Temporary Full-Time position until 30/06/2027
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Central Sydney Location
About Legal Aid NSW
We stand beside people when they need it most.
At Legal Aid NSW, fairness isn’t just a legal principle, it shapes everything we do - our culture, our services, our workplace and our decisions.
Since 1979, Legal Aid NSW has provided legal advice, support and representation in criminal, family and civil law, helping people across NSW navigate hardship and complex legal issues. Our work is challenging, but deeply meaningful.
In partnerships with Law Access NSW, Community Legal Centres and the Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT, we are located throughout the state including our Central Sydney office, 25 regional offices, and satellite and outreach offices.
About the Role
Support the day-to-day operations of the Walama Unit, contributing to the delivery of high‑quality, culturally appropriate legal services that meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and the community. Build and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including the courts, private practitioners, and legal assistance providers, to support the objectives of the Walama program.
Manage a criminal law practice, providing legal advice and representation to Legal Aid NSW clients, including in more complex matters where appropriate, in accordance with organisational policies and guidelines. Contribute to the delivery of culturally responsive, trauma‑informed services that support the aims of the Walama List.
Provide mentorship and support to junior legal staff, contributing to a collaborative team environment and the consistent delivery of high-quality legal work.
About You
As an experienced and capable legal professional, you bring a strong commitment to delivering high-quality, client‑focused legal services. You manage your own practice effectively, applying sound judgment and ensuring culturally appropriate service delivery that supports positive outcomes for clients and the community.
As a collaborative and supportive team member, you contribute to an efficient practice and provide guidance to colleagues, including junior lawyers and administrative staff, ensuring work is accurate, compliant, and aligned with organisational priorities.
Strong communication skills enable you to build productive relationships with a range of stakeholders, including clients, courts, private practitioners, and legal assistance providers. Professionalism and integrity underpin your approach, supporting a respectful and inclusive workplace culture.
Highly organised and adaptable, you manage competing priorities in a high‑volume environment while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines. A calm, solutions‑focused mindset helps you to manage stressful situations and contribute to continuous improvement in service delivery and work practices.
A commitment to ongoing professional development, combined with a willingness to support the growth of others, helps foster a capable and engaged team.
You Belong Here
Here, every role has purpose.
Whether you’re delivering frontline legal services or strengthening our organisation from behind the scenes, you’ll help create fairer outcomes for the people across NSW.
We’re building a workplace where every culture, identity, ability and voice are included and valued. We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with visible and invisible disability, culturally diverse communities, and LGBTQI+ communities so you can connect and flourish at every stage of career.
You will be part of a diverse and inclusive organisation, working alongside like-minded and values driven people dedicated to justice, community impact, and delivering exceptional support and service through cross collaboration.
Benefits of working at Legal Aid NSW
As an employee of Legal Aid NSW, you will have access to and enjoy a variety of support and benefits so you can thrive professionally and personally. You’ll love our:
Flexible Working - we are a Flex Ready certified and Carers and Employers accredited organisation. We are leading the way in offering a variety of flexible working options to uniquely support your unique work life balance.
Professional Growth – as the largest law firm in NSW we offer a variety of opportunities to enhance your career at every stage, through regional graduate programs, Practical Legal Training and work placements, mentoring, training, and secondment opportunities.
Work Health, Safety and Wellbeing – with dedicated programs, training, resources, and respectful work practices, our Wellbeing Framework ensures your physical, mental and psychosocial wellbeing matters, so you feel supported, safe and holistically well.
Essential Requirements
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Hold Australian or NZ citizenship, Australian Permanent Residency or a valid visa to work in Australia.
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Undertake a Criminal Record Check and/or Conduct Service Check
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Be admitted or eligible for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW
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Provide a current NSW Practising Certificate before you start work with us
Download the Role Description to explore the role in-depth.
We may use this recruitment to create a Talent Pool for similar ongoing or temporary vacancies we have over the next 18 months.
Apply Now!
Closing Date: Sunday 14th June 2026 at 11.59pm
Your application is your chance to show why you’re a strong match for this role.
Please provide:
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A current resume (up to 5 pages)
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A cover letter (up to 2 pages) addressing the below two targeted questions:
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Targeted Question 1: Describe a time you were responsible for providing criminal law work in a busy environment while ensuring services were delivered to a high standard and were culturally safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. What actions did you take, and what was the outcome?
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Targeted Question 2: Provide an example of how you mentored and supported colleagues or a team in a criminal law setting, including how you helped manage workload and support wellbeing. What did you do and what was the result?
Do you need help to apply?
It’s important to properly prepare before you apply for a role. Here is some other information to help you:
- If you have questions about the role, you can contact on or email:
- If you are an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are thinking about applying, you can contact the Aboriginal Services Branch to arrange a confidential conversation about any questions you may have.
- 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
- Working at Legal Aid NSW