Senior Paralegal

We are currently looking for a full time permanent Paralegal to join our Corporate Legal Services and Secretariat team. This role is intended for an experienced career paralegal. It is not suitable for a current law student, Practical Legal Training student or recent law graduate seeking supervised legal practice or admission as an Australian lawyer.

About us

The Law Society of New South Wales is the professional association representing the solicitors of New South Wales.  The Law Society has two primary areas of responsibility, namely its statutory obligations and its representative functions under its Constitution.  It acts as both ‘licensing and regulating authority’ and ‘as an association’ for its members, representing their interests, while simultaneously being responsible for maintaining professional standards of conduct and hearing and investigating complaints against solicitors.

About the team

The Corporate Legal Services and Secretariat Department comprises the General Counsel and Company Secretary, the Deputy General Counsel and Deputy Company Secretary, in-house solicitors and support staff.

The Corporate Legal Services function provides the Law Society with support and high-quality legal advice in relation to general commercial (non-regulatory) activities, ensuring compliance and adherence to the law as well as internal policies.

The Secretariat function provides advice and administrative assistance to the President, the Council, the Executive Committee and the Audit, Risk and Finance Committee, and the CEO in his/her management role. Its purpose is to ensure compliance and adherence to the law, the Constitution of the Law Society and other internal charters and policies to promote good corporate governance. 

Team members are required to understand and respond to the needs of the Department’s internal and external stakeholder groups.

What you'll be doing

• Ensure the efficient day-to-day operation of the legal operations and administrative functions of the Corporate Legal Services and Secretariat Department, including preparation and amendment of documentation and correspondence, records management and filing.
• Coordinate the day-to-day administration of legal matters, including matter intake, file management, document preparation, correspondence, execution processes and records management.
• Maintain, administer and continually improve legal operations systems, including LawVu, SharePoint and related legal technology platforms, to ensure accurate matter management, reporting, compliance, document management and efficient workflow processes.
• Assist with the implementation, testing, rollout and ongoing optimisation of LawVu, including document automation, contract management, workflow and reporting tools.
• Assist in-house solicitors with legal research and preparation of briefing materials, reports and draft advice.
• Assist in-house solicitors with contractual, compliance and regulatory matters, including Modern Slavery reporting, privacy and data governance matters, PCI DSS compliance, intellectual property and risk management activities.
• Manage the Department's contract administration processes, including monitoring key obligations, renewal dates and other critical milestones.
• Undertake company, business name, property, trademark, financial and other searches as required.
• Manage trademark, business name and other intellectual property registrations and renewals, ensuring compliance with applicable deadlines.
• Respond to and coordinate requests relating to the use of Law Society intellectual property and branding assets.
• Administer payments received from Copyright Agency Limited, including distribution of author entitlements
• Support litigation and dispute resolution matters, including document management, engagement with external legal service providers and court or tribunal filings where required.
• Liaise with external legal service providers, regulators, consultants and other stakeholders as required.
• Assist with the management of external legal spend, including maintaining engagement records and supporting budget reporting.
• Prepare, maintain and update precedents, templates, forms, policy documents, guidance notes and departmental resources.
• Coordinate execution of contracts, deeds and other legal documents.
• Support information governance, privacy, access to information and records management activities.
• Provide accurate and timely responses to enquiries from staff, members, solicitors, external stakeholders and members of the public, providing information and assistance or directing enquiries appropriately.
• Supervise, mentor and develop the student Paralegal, including allocation of work, training, coaching and performance feedback.
• Undertake special projects and other duties as reasonably directed by the General Counsel and Company Secretary or other members of the Corporate Legal Services and Secretariat Department.

About you

• Relevant qualification in Paralegal Studies, Legal Services, Business Administration or a related discipline, or an undergraduate degree in any field.
• Minimum 3–5 years' experience as a paralegal, legal assistant or equivalent role within a law firm, in-house legal team, regulatory body or government agency.
• Demonstrated experience supporting lawyers and senior stakeholders in a busy legal environment, including document management, legal administration, matter coordination and legal research.
• Experience preparing, reviewing and maintaining legal and corporate records with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience using legal practice management, document management or governance systems is desirable.
• Advanced proficiency in the Microsoft 365 suite, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work autonomously and exercise sound judgement in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Highly developed organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to effectively prioritise and execute tasks.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to work in a self-supervisory, multi-task environment, within clear timelines.
• Ability to focus and function well in a busy environment and under pressure.
• Commitment to quality client service and continuous improvement.
• Motivated and self-directed.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• High level of discretion and ability to effectively manage sensitive and confidential information.
• Regulates own behaviour, comprehends organisational structure and culture and acts appropriately in the execution of duties.

To apply

The Law Society of New South Wales is committed to building and maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace, appointing the best person for the role and supporting diversity. 

Applications must contain a CV and cover letter that outlines your key experience and motivations for this role.