Looking for experienced lawyers to advocate for animal welfare.

At RSPCA WA, we believe animals deserve to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion. As Western Australia's oldest and largest animal welfare charity, we have been making a difference since 1892 through rescue, advocacy, education and enforcement.

As an In-House Lawyer with RSPCA WA, your legal expertise will do more than interpret legislation or prepare court submissions. It will help deliver justice, improve animal welfare, and create meaningful outcomes for vulnerable animals across the state.

You’ll work alongside Inspectors, investigators and experienced legal professionals to prosecute animal cruelty matters, provide strategic legal advice, and influence decisions that make a genuine difference in the community.

We’re currently recruiting for two opportunities within our Legal team:

Fixed-term opportunity (12-month parental leave cover)

- Minimum 3 years PQE

- Experience in criminal law, litigation, or prosecutions, including court appearance experience

Permanent opportunity

- Minimum 5 years PQE

- Strong experience in criminal law, litigation, or prosecutions, including trial experience

- Ability to guide and mentor junior lawyers while overseeing case files

- Experience liaising with external counsel, pro bono lawyers, and key stakeholders

About the roles

You'll advise on complex legal, compliance and enforcement matters, manage prosecutions under the Animal Welfare Act 2002, appear in court, and provide strategic advice across the organisation.

You'll have the autonomy to manage your own matters,



the opportunity to develop advocacy skills, and the chance to work on cases that genuinely affect community outcomes.

Your responsibilities will include:

- Providing legal advice across animal welfare, contractual, and operational matters

- Managing prosecution and litigation matters, including civil forfeiture applications

- Supporting Inspectors through investigations, evidence gathering, brief preparation and court proceedings

- Appearing in court on behalf of RSPCA WA

- Preparing legal documents, briefs, and court materials

- Managing matters end-to-end, from case administration and brief preparation through to trial and enforcement

About you

You are a self-motivated, proactive, and resilient lawyer who can balance technical legal expertise with effective stakeholder management. You build trusted relationships through clear communication and can translate complex legal issues into practical advice for Inspectors and colleagues, while engaging with witnesses and other external representatives.

To be successful in this role, you'll have:

- A law degree

- Admission as an Australian legal practitioner and a current practising certificate, or eligibility to obtain one in Western Australia





- Solid knowledge of court processes and rules of evidence

- Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills

- Proven experience managing complex caseloads

- Demonstrated ability to manage matters independently from commencement through judgment and enforcement

- The ability to provide clear legal advice while building effective working relationships across a diverse organisation

- Strong judgement and resilience under pressure

Why join us

This is a unique opportunity to apply your legal expertise in a role where the work is meaningful, the impact is visible, and no two days are the same.

We offer:

- A passionate and values-driven workplace

- The opportunity to work closely with frontline Inspectors and contribute to meaningful enforcement outcomes

- Free onsite parking

- Staff discounts on selected services and pet products

At RSPCA WA, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating a respectful, inclusive workplace where everyone is valued and treated with dignity.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter outlining which opportunity you are applying for, along with your experience and interest in the role.

We are actively reviewing applications as they are received and encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. As we are looking to fill this position promptly, an immediate or near-immediate start would be highly regarded.

Please note: The successful applicant will be required to undergo a National Police Clearance and hold full Australian working rights.

📌 In-House Lawyer (Permanent & Fixed Term Opportunities) (Malaga)
🏢 RSPCA WA
📍 Malaga