Summary

Excellent opportunity for a Legal Counsel with 3 years PQE to join a purpose-led organisation in Sydney on a 12-month parental leave contract. Working directly with the General Counsel, you will run a broad in-house commercial and advisory practice, drafting and negotiating contracts and giving practical advice across the business. This is a full-time, hybrid role with one day a week in the office, paying $156,000 to $168,000 including superannuation.

The Company

This well-established, purpose-led organisation operates in a regulated environment, working closely with government, industry partners and suppliers. Its work delivers clear public benefit, and people join because they want their work to count for something.

The business is small and close-knit, with a supportive, collegiate CEO and a flexible, inclusive culture. It is preparing for a period of significant growth, which will bring more suppliers, more contracts and more work with government.

The Role

As Legal Counsel, you will work hand in hand with an experienced General Counsel in a small in-house legal team. Compliance sits with a separate Audit and Risk function, so this is a purely legal role, focused on commercial and advisory work, with regular contact with the CEO and Executive Team.

This is a 12-month parental leave contract, starting in mid-November 2026 with a handover from the current role holder before her leave begins.

Key responsibilities will include

- Reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, including supplier, customer, services and consultancy agreements
- Giving practical advice on contract interpretation, regulatory, employment, privacy and intellectual property matters
- Developing and maintaining legal templates,



policies and internal guidelines
- Monitoring legal and regulatory developments and helping the business respond to them
- Maintaining legal records and supporting legal risk reporting to the General Counsel and Executive Team
- Managing low-risk disputes and pre-litigation matters with the General Counsel
- Delivering legal training to staff across the business
- Supporting contracts and arrangements with government, industry participants and suppliers as the business grows

About You

You are a commercial lawyer who likes being close to the business. You give transparent, practical advice to non-lawyers, handle a busy workload well and enjoy being part of a small team. This Legal Counsel role would suit someone ready for their first in-house move or an in-house lawyer looking for broad, varied work.

You will ideally bring:

- A law degree (or equivalent) and admission in NSW, with a current unrestricted practising certificate
- At least 3 years post-admission experience, with private practice experience preferred
- Strong commercial drafting and negotiation skills
- Broad advisory experience, with regulatory or government contracting exposure a plus
- An organised, accountable approach, following through and managing competing priorities
- A collaborative style and an interest in getting to know the business




- Confidence working with government and industry stakeholders

On Offer

• Salary of $156,000 to $168,000 including superannuation

- Full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract (parental leave cover) based in Sydney’s Inner West
- Hybrid working, with just one day a week in the office
- Office a short walk from the train, with parking contributions
- Direct reporting line to the General Counsel, with regular exposure to the CEO and Executive Team
- A handover from mid-November 2026
- On-site amenities, including gym access, cafes and childcare
- Wellbeing initiatives, including access to counselling sessions
- Support for professional and personal development
- Peer recognition, rewards and discounts, plus regular social events

Why Apply?

This opportunity will appeal to lawyers who want:

- A broad commercial and advisory in-house role with real variety
- To work closely with an experienced, supportive General Counsel
- A purely legal role, without a compliance workload on the side
- Visibility with the CEO and Executive Team
- To join an organisation heading into a period of growth
- Purpose-led work and flexibility that respects life outside work

Next Steps

This role is moving quickly. If this opportunity is of interest, please apply via SEEK.

For a confidential discussion, contact Andrew Murdoch at Dovetail Legal Recruitment at [email protected] to arrange an initial conversation.

Dovetail Legal Recruitment

Founded in 2015, Dovetail Legal Recruitment is Australia’s only dedicated in-house legal recruiter. We have made 400 placements, assisted hundreds of companies, and supported the careers of thousands of lawyers across the Australian legal market.

📌 Legal Counsel - In-House - 12-Month Contract (Sydney)
🏢 Dovetail Legal Solutions
📍 Sydney