Senior Solicitor

Senior Solicitor V – Inquiries & Criminal Law Division – Talent Pool 

• Flexible working hours + additional flex leave (up to 18 days per year) 

• Be part of a dynamic public sector team and work with legal experts of the industry  

• Temporary/Ongoing role based in the Sydney CBD with flexible work arrangements available 

Classification grade: Legal Officer Grade V

Salary: $ 159,035- $ 162,153p.a. base salary (employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading is paid in addition to the base salary.) 

Work type: Full-Time – 35 hours per week, Temporary and Ongoing

* Our primary place of work is the CSO Office located to a new premises located at Parkline Place, 252 Pitt Street, Sydney in July 2026. 

 About the Role 
This recruitment will be used to create a talent pool for the Inquiries & Criminal Law Division. This talent pool may be used to fill ongoing and temporary full-time and part-time Senior Solicitor vacancies (Legal Officer Grade V) that may arise over the next 18 months.

Senior Solicitor roles provide specialist advice and representation in both litigation and advisory matters. The Senior Solicitor (LOG V) role focuses on providing high-quality legal advice and representation in complex matters, managing junior solicitors, and supporting the broader practice group’s work.

In this role, you will deliver high-level legal advice and representation to the Crown Solicitor’s clients across a range of complex litigation and/or advisory matters within the Inquiries & Criminal Law Division.

The ideal candidate will have strong legal expertise and experience in one or more areas relevant to the Division’s practice groups, with a proven ability to manage complex legal matters in accordance with client instructions, tender requirements, and legislative frameworks. You will ensure the delivery of consistent, high-quality legal services that meet CSO policies and professional standards.

We are seeking highly skilled and experienced legal professionals with demonstrated expertise in providing and supervising complex litigation and/or high quality legal advice, and a strong commitment to client-focused, cost-effective outcomes. Some exposure to advocacy would also be well-regarded.

About the Practice Group****s:

The Inquiries practice group specialises in assisting and advising Coroners in coronial inquests, representing NSW government agencies before Royal Commissions, assisting at other ad hoc forms of inquiry and providing advice to agencies concerning investigatory powers. The ideal candidate will have experience in managing complex litigation and in public interest areas of practice; demonstrated ability to communicate with multiple stakeholders in the justice system, including vulnerable groups; and knowledge of inquisitorial law, criminal law, administrative law or medical law is desirable (although this is not a requirement). 

The Terrorism High Risk Offenders Practice Group advises and represents the State of NSW and its agencies in a range of terrorism related matters, including conducting large and complex proceedings for post sentence detention or supervision orders, and parole proceedings for adult and juvenile terrorist-related offenders.  The Practice Group also provides advice and representation in proceedings before the State Parole Authority and the Serious Offenders Review Council.  Experienced solicitors with either criminal law or civil law backgrounds, with strong litigation and legal analysis skills, and the ability to work and adapt in a fast-paced collaborative environment are encouraged to apply.

The Public Safety and Justice practice group provides advice and conducts litigation in  high-risk offender post-sentence detention/supervision applications and extensions of the status of forensic patients, provides advice and conducts litigation in relation to contempt of court, appearances before the Mental Health Review Tribunal, acting for police in applications regarding domestic violence, and other advice work related to such matters.  The practice group also conducts litigation in respect of judicial review applications in the Supreme Court arising from orders made criminal proceedings. The ideal candidate will have prior experience and knowledge of the criminal justice system (including the post-sentence and forensic patient regimes, which is desirable although not a requirement) and a flexible and adaptable approach to fast-paced litigation often involving challenging subject matter. 

The Regulatory and Environment practice group conducts summary prosecutions for environmental and other regulatory offences, including under water, fisheries, electoral, child protection, health, revenue, transport, and gambling control laws. The practice group advises regulators on issues including enforcement options, criminal law and procedure, and evidence. The practice group also advises on reviews of conviction and sentence and applications for the exercise of the prerogative of mercy. The ideal candidate will have specialist experience in criminal law or another relevant area of law (including administrative law or environmental and planning law), demonstrated statutory construction ability, and skills in either advice writing or managing complex litigation.

About the CSO 

The NSW Crown Solicitors Office (CSO) provides high-quality and cost-effective legal services to the NSW Government and its agencies. As a trusted legal advisor to the NSW Government, our principal role is to advise and represent agencies so that they can deliver policies, programs and projects in a lawful, effective and efficient manner. 

We act with integrity and professional independence, guided by the government sector's core values. We are focussed on providing excellent client service and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. We also provide our people with opportunities to learn, develop and adapt within an inclusive and supportive environment. 

For more information about the CSO, click here. 

Essential Requirements:  

• Completion of a law degree from an accredited law school or completion of the Legal Practitioners Admission Board’s Diploma in Law Course.

• Admission or eligibility for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW.

• Undertake Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check.

• Travel for regional or interstate court and other commitments subject to the application of any discrimination legislation (including in respect of carer’s responsibilities).

For more information about this role, please review the role description.

How to apply:  

For your application to be considered, you must submit your application online and include:  

• An updated resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role 

The selection process may include a range of assessment techniques to assist hiring managers in determining your suitability for the role.  

You can request adjustments throughout each step of the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or alternative formats to participate in the process, please contact Margaret Ters, Talent Acquisition Partner on 0427413924 or email csorecruit@cso.nsw.gov.au to further discuss.  

Closing date:  Wednesday, 22 July 2026 (AEST 7:59PM) 

Recruitment enquires: Margaret Ters, Talent Acquisition Partner, margaret.ters@cso.nsw.gov.au, 0427 413 924 

Our commitment to flexible working 

The CSO has adopted a teams-based approach to flexible working. We recognise that everyone has different needs and preferences, and our flexible work culture allows you to adapt your work routine to suit you. We’re all about flexibility, productivity and driving good client outcomes.  

We have generous leave provisions available for our employees that acknowledge individual preferences and responsibilities including:  

• Up to 20 days recreation leave and up to 18 days flex leave per annum 

• 20 days purchased leave annually 

• Inclusive paid parental leave provisions of up to 16 weeks (14 weeks + 2 bonus weeks) which can be taken flexibly within the first 24 months to support the birth, adoption, altruistic surrogacy or permanent out-of-home care placement of a child 

• Study time up to 4 hours per week  

• Extended Leave of up to 44 days after 10 years or up to 30.8 days after 7 years of service.   

How we support health & wellbeing: 

• We offer an employee assistance program to support the wellbeing of employees in the workplace and in their personal lives, which also extends to family members 

• Coaching services are available for people leaders and executives to learn and implement best practices to manage their team’s wellbeing  

• We offer an annual Flu Vaccination program  

• We provide access to the Fitness Passport program – a discounted workplace health and fitness program available to staff and their families  

CSO's commitment to diversity 

At CSO, we believe a diverse and inclusive workforce contributes to the success of our organisation and we are committed to ensuring that our workforce reflects our diverse community. 
We welcome and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the LGBTQIA+ community, culturally and linguistically diverse people, veterans and other diverse communities.