Under broad direction, the Senior Lawyer provides strategic, practical and technically sound legal advice on complex, sensitive and high-risk matters affecting the department. The role contributes to organisational decision-making, manages legal risk and supports the achievement of departmental priorities within a complex legal and policy environment.

Legal Services Branch provides legal services across a range of practice areas. Successful candidates may undertake work in administrative law, commercial law, employment law, information law, litigation and dispute resolution, governance, legislative development, regulatory matters and other legal functions relevant to the department’s operations.

- provide strategic, practical and technically sound legal advice on complex, sensitive and high-risk matters, supporting lawful decision-making and effective risk management
- lead and manage complex legal matters, projects and work programs, taking responsibility for delivering outcomes, managing legal risk and supporting departmental priorities
- draft, review and oversee high-quality legal documents, including legal advice, briefs, submissions, agreements, policies,



governance documents, ministerial materials and correspondence
- provide strategic recommendations to senior executives and decision-makers, balancing legal obligations, operational priorities, policy objectives and organisational risk
- develop and maintain team-oriented relationships with stakeholders, including business areas, government agencies, regulators, oversight bodies and external legal providers
- lead legal risk identification, assessment and mitigation activities while supporting compliance with legislative requirements, governance frameworks and departmental obligations
- build legal capability through mentoring, coaching and developing junior lawyers, contributing to workforce capability, knowledge sharing and a high-performing team culture
- drive continuous improvement through legal strategy, governance initiatives, policy development, business improvement activities and organisational capability building.

Please review the job pack for the full position description.

📌 Senior Lawyer (Adelaide)
🏢 Department of Social Services
📍 Adelaide