An outstanding opportunity for a legal professional to lead high quality family law services at Legal Aid Queensland, supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged Queenslanders. The role involves complex, rewarding work representing legally aided clients in family law, domestic and family violence and child protection matters, while supervising staff. The Principal Lawyer provides strategic advocacy, early intervention and dispute resolution, builds stakeholder relationships, and contributes to service improvement, policy and law reform.

Job details

Key Details:

• This role is in the Child Protection area.
• This role is not suitable for early career lawyers.
• This position is full‑time, temporary until 25 June 2027.

Mandatory Requirements / Special Conditions:

• You must be admitted, or eligible for immediate admission, as a legal practitioner in Queensland and eligible for a current practising certificate and entry on the High Court Register of Practitioners.
• This is regulated employment involving services to people under 18. Appointment is conditional on the successful applicant holding a valid Queensland Working with Children Clearance (Blue Card), linked to Legal Aid Queensland prior to commencement

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Manage and supervise professional and administrative staff, including performance management, coaching, recruitment and ADPs.
• Supervise legal and administrative work and train, guide and develop internal staff, statewide LAQ staff and external practitioners.
• Lead, monitor and report on team performance, ensuring compliance with professional and corporate responsibilities.
• Lead and implement policy, procedure, system and process improvements.
• Represent clients by preparing matters, instructing counsel and appearing as an advocate in family law, domestic and family violence, counselling notes protect, child protection and related matters.
• Act in the child's best interests where appointed as an Independent Children's Lawyer or Separate Representative.
• Improve systems for file allocation, workflow and administration.
• Deliver CPD, contribute to community legal education and lead communities of practice.
• Provide duty lawyer services, legal information, advice and referrals.
• Conduct quality audits, file reviews and complaint investigations.
• Contribute to policy, law reform and service delivery initiatives.
• Represent the team in forums and maintain stakeholder networks.
• Assist with resource management and operational planning to ensure budgets are maintained.

How You Will Be Assessed:

The ideal applicant will demonstrate:

• Extensive experience advocating in complex family law, domestic and family violence, child protection and related matters, in accordance with ethical and procedural standards.
• Proven ability to manage and supervise staff, including performance feedback and recruitment.
• Clear, persuasive communication skills and the ability to effectively engage stakeholders and clients with complex needs using trauma‑informed practice.

Other Capabilities:

Legal Aid Queensland applies the Leadership Competencies for Queensland. This role aligns to the Team Leader profile, particularly:

• Results: Build relationships to achieve shared goals.
• Vision: Model integrity, transparency and a growth mindset.
• Results: Inspire collaboration and achievement.

What We Offer:

• 36.25 hours per week
• Generous salary packaging
• 12.75% employer superannuation
• Flexible working arrangements
• Study leave for approved, work‑related courses

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• LAQ_00349 Applicant information kit FA (PDF, 3.13MB)
  Information Package for Applicants
  
  position description - PO6 Principal Lawyer_CP (PDF, 476KB)
  Role Description