Principal Solicitor – National Community Legal Centre (IP / Commercial Law) Salary: Negotiable depending on experience + salary packaging. Location: Sydney (NSW practising certificate required). Role type: Full‑time, ongoing. Travel: Interstate, regional and remote travel required. A national community legal centre supporting Australia’s creative sector is seeking an experienced Principal Solicitor to lead its legal practice. This is a senior leadership role overseeing legal services, supervising a small team, and contributing to national policy and law reform.

About the Role

- Lead and manage the organisation’s legal practice, including advisory services, document review, and a specialist First Nations program.
- Supervise lawyers, secondees, interns and volunteers, ensuring high‑quality, culturally safe service delivery.
- Provide legal advice on copyright, contracts, commercial law, moral rights, ICIP, defamation, governance and employment issues.
- Oversee the development and updating of legal resources, publications and contract templates used across the creative industries.
- Ensure compliance with the Community Legal Centres Australia Risk Management Guide and Professional Indemnity Scheme.
- Deliver workshops, seminars and training to creators, arts organisations, tertiary students and First Nations communities.




- Contribute to national law and policy reform through submissions and advocacy work.
- Work collaboratively in a small, friendly, hands‑on team environment.

About You

- Eligibility to hold an unrestricted NSW practising certificate authorising you to be a principal.
- 5+ years PQE in copyright, IP and commercial/contract law.
- Demonstrated experience supervising lawyers or managing a small legal team.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to explain complex legal issues to non‑lawyers.
- Experience in legal drafting, publications or template development.
- Experience in policy or law reform work.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using CRM systems.
- Ability to travel nationally.

Desirable

- Experience in community legal centres or arts organisations.
- Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients or communities.
- Experience delivering legal education.

First Nations candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Why this role?

- Lead a respected national legal practice with real social impact.
- Work at the intersection of law, culture, creativity and community.
- Contribute to protecting artists’ rights and strengthening Australia’s creative sector.
- Team-oriented, supportive, purpose‑driven environment.
- Salary packaging available.

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📌 Principal Solicitor (New South Wales)
🏢 Elias Recruitment
📍 New South Wales