Exciting opportunities for 2 Policy Lawyers at the NSW Bar Association.

Our Policy and Law Reform team is recruiting two new team members:

1. Graduate Policy Lawyer – suitable for someone who has recently graduated from university, been admitted, or who will soon be admitted, to the Supreme Court of NSW. We are looking for someone with 1+ years of paralegal, policy, government or other relevant experience.

2. Policy Lawyer – suitable for someone with 2+ years post-university experience working in policy, government, law, advocacy or other related industries.

The Association:
The New South Wales Bar Association is the professional body for practising barristers and associate members, such as clerks and judges. Its purpose is to serve the public good in relation to the administration of justice and the provision of legal services.

Your new team:
The Policy and Law Reform team is a skilled group of lawyers and policy specialists who work with the President, Bar Council and the Association’s Committees in the promotion of administration of justice and in making recommendations with respect to legislation, law reform, rules of court and the business and procedures of courts.

Key Responsibilities:
As a Policy Lawyer, your role is to provide effective advice, legal research and guidance on a wide range of policy and law reform issues and to provide secretariat and other support to the 15 specialist committees of volunteer barristers that we serve.

Duties for both roles include:

• Committee support:
  - Provide secretariat support to Bar Association Committees (preparing agendas, minutes and meeting papers) and support to Committee Chairs.
  - Assist Committees to prepare submissions to NSW and Australian Governments, Parliamentary Committees, the Law Council of Australia, and other government and law reform agencies.
• Policy analysis and legal research:
  - Undertake policy analysis and legal research.
  - Draft briefing notes, memorandums, and submissions on legal policy issues.
• Events and other duties:
  - Assist with the organisation of continuing professional development for barristers, educational events, functions and open days.
  - Other duties that assist in the smooth running of the team, our Association and the Committees we serve.

Some work outside the core standard hours will occasionally be necessary, as committee meetings are held between 5-7pm.

Experience and personal attributes:

• Excellent research, legal and analytical skills.
• Ability to research and develop responses to complex legal and policy issues.
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of NSW and Australian government, parliamentary, and legal system.
• Passion for access to justice issues and solutions.
• Admitted, or eligible to be admitted, to the NSW Supreme Court.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and tight timeframes.
• A team player, with a pitch in and help mentality.

Application Process:
If you’d like to apply for either of these roles, please send your cover letter, highlighting your relevant skills and experience, along with your resume, by Wednesday 12 February. Early applications are encouraged as we will be reviewing them as they are received. If you’d like more information feel free to contact our People & Culture Manager, Jacqueline Heys at jheys@nswbar.asn.au.

Additional information:
These roles report to the Director, Policy & Law Reform. Our office is located close to Martin Place Metro, train stations and many major bus routes.

We’re a friendly team of professionals, who work collaboratively in support of one another. We’re also looking forward to a move later this year, to a brand new office, just a block away.

The Association is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. First Nations people are encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability.