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Principal Lawyer
Legal Services Unit; Corporate Services; Brisbane CBD, Flexible work location arrangements will be considered
Join the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers as a Principal Lawyer, delivering expert legal advice, managing prosecutions, and handling tribunal litigation. Lead advocacy in hearings, trials, and mediations while mentoring junior staff. Use your legal expertise to ensure compliance, manage risks, and support key departmental objectives. If you’re a skilled legal professional ready to make an impact, this is your opportunity to drive meaningful outcomes for Queensland communities.
Job details
| Position status | Fixed Term Temporary |
|---|---|
| Position type | Flexible full-time |
| Occupational group | Justice & Legal |
| Classification | PO6 |
| Workplace Location | Brisbane Inner City,Flexible |
| Job ad reference | QLD/655341/25 |
| Closing date | 03-Sep-2025 |
| Job duration | Until 31/05/2026 |
| Contact person | Petra Faas |
| Contact details | Phone: 0457 173 733 Access the National Relay Service |
As a Principal Lawyer within the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, you will provide high-level legal advice, representation, and services to support the department's objectives. A key focus of the role is managing and undertaking prosecutions for breaches of legislation, including appeals, statutory appeals, and tribunal-related litigation. You will appear as an advocate in hearings,
trials, pleas, mediations, and mentions across various jurisdictions or instruct external legal service providers as required.
The Role:
Working within Legal Services, you will provide legal advice, representation, and other legal services to the department. The role primarily involves managing and undertaking prosecutions for breaches of legislation, statutory appeals, and tribunalrelated litigation. You will appear as an advocate or instruct legal service providers in hearings, trials, pleas, mediations, and mentions across jurisdictions.
Key Accountabilities:
· Manage and undertake compliance-related litigation, statutory appeals, and tribunal-related litigation. Represent the department in prosecutions for breaches of legislation, including appeals and decisions under legislation administered by the department.
· Appear as an advocate or instruct legal service providers in hearings, trials, pleas, directions, mediations, and mentions across courts and tribunals, including the Magistrates Court, District Court, Land Court, Industrial Court, Planning & Environment Court, and QCAT.
· Provide high-level oral and written legal advice to staff, Directors-General, and Ministers on complex and sensitive legal matters.
· Report on litigation to Ministers, Directors-General, and senior managers.
· Contribute to the continuous improvement of client service delivery and meet feefor- service budget requirements.
· Liaise with external legal providers to ensure consistent, coordinated, and costeffective legal services.
· Provide leadership, supervision, and mentoring to senior and junior lawyers, driving continuous improvement in legal service delivery.
· Support the General Counsel as a senior leader in the team.
· Perform other duties as required.
About You:
· Bachelor of Laws degree and admission (or eligibility for immediate admission) as a barrister, solicitor, or legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of Queensland.
· Willingness to travel outside Brisbane, including outside normal office hours and overnight stays if required.
The Benefits:
· Be recognised and rewarded for your contributions.
· Join a dynamic, supportive team that values collaboration and innovation.
· Work in a respectful, inclusive workplace that values diversity and encourages collaboration.
We strive to create a respectful and rewarding workplace culture that recognises and embraces every individual's contribution. Our workforce reflects the community we serve, and we strongly encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, and LGBTQ+ people.
How to Apply:
Submit your resume and a 1-2 page cover letter demonstrating your suitability for the position.
This position is available at the following locations: Brisbane - Flexible work location arrangements will be considered. Please advise your preference with your application.
Applications will remain current for 12 months.
Further information
We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.
Please ensure you download all attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.
Documents
Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.
