Graduate / Lawyer - Public Law

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global legal practice with a national presence in Australia. We provide pre-eminent corporations, financial institutions and Government agencies with a full commercial law service. We have more than 4000 lawyers based in over 58 offices across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Norton Rose Fulbright's Canberra office is growing, and we are seeking a Graduate Lawyer or Lawyer to join our Public Law team. This is a unique opportunity to work alongside leading practitioners advising and representing Commonwealth Government clients on complex and high-profile administrative law, litigation and regulatory matters. Our national government practice has long-standing relationships with Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies and is recognised as a trusted adviser to government on legal and regulatory issues.

Working closely with partners and senior lawyers, you will advise and represent Commonwealth agencies, statutory office holders and government entities across a broad range of matters, including:

• assisting with the litigated matters in the State, Territory and Federal Courts and Tribunals (merits, judicial review and common law claims)
• advising clients with respect to all aspects of legislation, including statutory interpretation, administrative law advice and decision-making
• drafting high-quality legal advice, submissions and Court and Tribunal documents
• assisting clients to respond to inquiries, such as Royal Commissions and investigations
• advising on privacy, FOI and regulatory matters
• participating in secondment opportunities with the firm’s key clients

Requirements

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Up to 2 years' post-admission experience (government or private practice experience advantageous)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A genuine interest in public law, government and litigation
• Strong analytical and research skills
• Strong drafting skills and developing skills in advocacy
• An ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment
• Experience in litigation, public law or regulatory law (advantageous)
• Willingness to apply for, and obtain, an AGSVA security clearance.

What we offer

At Norton Rose Fulbright, you will have the opportunity to:

• Work with recognised leaders in public law and government litigation
• Advise on matters that are legally complex, strategically significant and often high profile
• Develop advocacy, advisory and litigation skills early in your career
• Collaborate with a national team of government, disputes, regulatory, privacy and investigations specialists
• Access market-leading learning, mentoring and professional development programmes
• Build a career in a genuinely global law firm

Why join our Canberra team?

Our Canberra practice is experiencing strong growth and works closely with Commonwealth agencies on administrative law, regulatory and government disputes matters. The team advises clients throughout the lifecycle of government decision-making and frequently appears in courts and tribunals on merits review and judicial review proceedings.

If you are intellectually curious, enjoy solving complex public law problems and want to work on matters that have real impact across government, we would love to hear from you.

Norton Rose Fulbright values diversity and strives to create an inclusive environment. We are proud that Norton Rose Fulbright in Australia has been recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) as well as a gold tier employer for LGBTI Inclusion through the Australian Workplace Equality Index. In 2025 we were re-accredited as a Family Inclusive Workplace and always encourage people to discuss flexible and hybrid work options with us.

We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

To apply online click the 'Apply' button below. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process or if the application portal is inaccessible to you, please don't hesitate to contact Scott Baker via (02) 9330 8578 or  scott.baker@nortonrosefulbright.coma confidential discussion.

If you are trans or gender diverse and would like a confidential discussion before applying, please contact Yvette Borradale (03) 8686 6003 or Scott Baker (02) 9330 8578.

Please be aware in the course of routine work some of our lawyers and teams can be exposed to details of trauma. The firm has controls in place including educational and psychological support. Our talent team can provide further details.