About the role

QLS has a 12-month parental leave contract opportunity (full-time) for a Senior Legal Counsel to join their Office of General Counsel team. The Office of General Counsel provides independent legal advice to the CEO, President, Council and Committees, the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board, and internal business areas.

This is a Senior Legal Counsel opportunity is suited to an experienced generalist in‑house lawyer to step into a senior advisory role with real breadth, autonomy and influence.

Working within the Office of General Counsel, you’ll provide practical, high‑quality, independent legal advice across a diverse range of matters including litigation and dispute management, employment and workplace issues, contract drafting and policy development. You’ll be trusted to exercise judgement, manage risk and support senior decision‑makers in a complex regulatory environment.

What you'll be doing

In this role you will:

• Provide independent legal advice across the Society’s operations, working directly with senior stakeholders to balance legal risk, practicality and organisational objectives.
• Conduct and manage litigation and dispute management
• Brief and manage external counsel on complex or specialist matters
• Advise on employment law matters, including complex and sensitive matters
• Advise on contracts and commercial activities to manage operational risk
• Lead and contribute to internal policy development and review, translating legal requirements into workable organisational guidance and identifying areas where legal risk education is required
• Advise on regulatory and administrative law matters
• Prepare submissions, correspondence and advice for the CEO, President and Council as required.

About you

You are a confident, adaptable lawyer who is comfortable operating with autonomy and accountability. Ideally you will bring: 

• Bachelor of Law and eligibility to hold an unrestricted Queensland practising certificate.
• Significant post-admission legal experience (ideally around 7+ years PAE) with a strong foundation in private practice, government or inhouse. 
• Demonstrated experience in litigation, regulatory or administrative law.
• Strong experience in employment and workplace law, including complex or sensitive matters.
• Ability to work comfortably across a broad range of generalist legal matters.
• Highly capable in analytical and research skills, with the ability to deliver clear, and practical advice.
• Sound experience in contract drafting and negotiation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop clear, practical policies and procedures.
• Excellent judgement, communication skills and stakeholder management capability.
• Eligibility to hold an unrestricted Queensland practising certificate.

Why join us?

By joining QLS you will assist to build a society that genuinely cares about its members, people and Queensland law.

• Our purpose is to be an authoritative voice, to help members succeed, to connect with the profession and respect, protect and promote human rights in line with our vision.
• Our workforce is diverse, inclusive and equal; and is representative of our members.
• High quality, substantive legal work requiring judgement and discretion.
• Broad exposure to varied legal work beyond a single practice silo.
• A professional, collegiate team with high standards.
• Flexible work arrangements and a genuine commitment to work-life balance.
• Work that contributes meaningfully to the legal profession and public interest.
• We are committed to leading change through our people.
• We provide 12 weeks parental leave irrespective of primary or secondary carers
• We are proud to be listed on Diversity Council Australia's Inclusive Employer Index.
• Employees have flexibility within a social and collaborative environment. 

Please note:

• This is a 12-month parental leave contract.​​​​​​
• That we reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
• You must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident or have unlimited working rights in Australia to apply for this position.
• This position may require the preferred candidate to undergo a Criminal History Records check. A criminal history does not necessarily disqualify a prospective candidate from selection. 

For more information about the role, including obtaining a copy of the position description, please email People and Capability on people@qls.com.au