The State Litigator will lead the State Litigation Office in providing expert civil legal advice and litigation services to the State of Tasmania, its instrumentalities and agencies.  The State Litigator will also play a key role in the management of Crown Law together with the Solicitor-General, Crown Solicitor and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The State Litigation Office presents an exciting opportunity to contemporise the management of civil litigation relevant to the State.  The State Litigator will lead this work, with a key focus on ensuring an understanding of the impact of trauma and harm is embedded in all areas of the State's legal system, and that all matters are dealt with sensitively and with the utmost respect and consideration for victim survivors.

This position is best suited to a service-oriented, experienced practitioner who enjoys motivating and supporting staff to provide excellent client service in a fast-moving, busy legal team.  More information is provided below and within the Statement of Duties.

We encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people living with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, mature age workers and LGBTIQA+ people.

The Department of Justice supports reasonable adjustment requests in any stage of the assessment process to remove barriers and facilitate full participation in all aspects of employment for applicants with disability. If you have individual requirements that need to be accommodated in order to participate in an interview or recruitment activity, please inform the contact listed at the end of this vacancy.

We are a diverse and inclusive workplace and understand the importance of flexible working arrangements.  Talk to us about how this could work for you.

Period of Appointment

Fixed term for a period of up to 5 years

Hours per fortnight

73.50 hours per fortnight - flexible options available. 

Duties

• Act as Solicitor and Counsel in complex, critical, novel and sensitive civil law matters involving the State and its Agencies before any Commonwealth or State Court, Tribunal or Board.
• Lead the State Litigation Office by providing strategic direction and oversight, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and values as well as leading change initiatives to foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Provide high-level legal, policy and strategic advice to the Attorney-General in respect of the conduct of civil litigation. 
• Manage civil law issues on a whole of government basis to ensure the consistent, effective and efficient disposal of civil law matters in a way that is trauma-informed and consistent with the values of the Department of Justice.
• Provide professional supervision to all legal practitioners in the State Litigation Office, including guiding, mentoring, coaching and performance management. This includes clear guidance on how to appropriately manage civil litigation claims relating to child sexual abuse and ensuring staff undertake regular training on the nature and effects of child sexual abuse.
• Provide advice and develop guidelines for the Attorney-General in relation to the management of civil litigation matters to ensure they are conducted in a contemporary and trauma-informed way and take into account the various impacts of trauma.
• Develop and maintain effective professional relationships with key stakeholders.
• Prepare and present legal education seminars to professional audiences on a broad range of legal topics.
• Collaborate, where appropriate, with the Solicitor-General, the Crown Solicitor and the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the effective and appropriate management of Crown Law.

Essential Requirements

• Admitted or eligible for immediate admission as a Barrister or Practitioner of the Supreme Court of Tasmania.
• A Current Tasmanian Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (Registration Status – Employment), under the Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Act 2013.

Desirable Requirements

• At least 10 years’ experience in legal practice relevant to the duties of the position.

Pre-employment Checks

The Head of State Service has determined that the person nominated for this vacancy is to satisfy a pre-employment check before taking up the appointment, promotion or transfer.

The following checks are to be conducted:

1. Pre-employment checks

• Arson and fire setting
• Violent crimes and crimes against the person
• Sex-related offences
• Drug and alcohol related offences
• Crimes involving dishonesty
• Crimes involving deception
• Making false declarations
• Malicious damage and destruction to property
• Serious traffic offences
• Crimes against public order or relating to the Administration of Law and Justice
• Crimes against Executive or the Legislative Power
• Crimes involving Conspiracy

2. Disciplinary action in previous employment.

3. Identification check.

Download the Statement of Duties and any Associated Documents

 Statement of Duties (357765) State Litigator.docx

 Statement of Duties (357765) State Litigator.pdf

 Information for applicants (Crown Law).docx

 Information for applicants (Crown Law).pdf

How to apply

Online applications are preferred, please click the 'Apply Now' button.  You will be prompted to complete an online application form and to attach your cover letter, resume and selection criteria responses. Please note, attachments must be in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

Please note if you submit the details of your referees with your application the Selection Panel may contact them without notifying you.

If you are unable to submit your application online, please contact the Department of Justice Recruitment Team on (03) 6165 4915

For more information

Kristy Bourne
Secretary, Department of Justice
kristy.bourne@justice.tas.gov.au
Phone: (03) 6165 4943

Reasonable Adjustment Queries

Organisational Development and Design Team
(03) 6165 7603