Manager, Fidelity Fund

The Law Society of New South Wales is Australia’s largest membership body for solicitors. It shares co-regulatory duties with the NSW Legal Services Commissioner to ensure professional standards and integrity within the profession.

We are currently looking for a permanent full time Manager, Fidelity Fund, to join our Legal Regulation team.

About the team

The Fidelity Fund is administered by the Law Society of New South Wales under provisions in the legal profession legislation. The Fidelity Fund compensates persons who suffer pecuniary loss due to defaults by law practices arising from dishonest acts or omissions of associates of the practice in relation to trust money. The Fidelity Fund Department sits within Professional Standards, Legal Regulation Department and the Manager, Fidelity Fund reports to the Deputy Director, Legal Regulation.

About the role

The Manager, Fidelity Fund is responsible for oversight of the investigation and assessment of claims made against the Fidelity Fund, including reporting to the Fidelity Fund Management Committee in accordance with the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) (Uniform Law) and implementing that Committee’s resolutions.

What you'll be doing

• Manage, in consultation with the Deputy Director, Legal Regulation, the Law Society’s functions associated with administration of the Fidelity Fund in accordance with legal profession legislation and the delegations from the Council of the Law Society.
• Responsible for the investigation, assessment and reporting on claims made against law practices.
• Identify and where possible maximise the level of recoveries received in relation to claims paid by the Fidelity Fund.
• Oversee and play an active role in the preparation of reports for consideration by the Fidelity Fund Management Committee and Council where required, including resolutions seeking approval for claim payments exceeding the maximum aggregate claim cap as set by legislation.
• In consultation with the Deputy Director, Legal Regulation, monitor the financial position of the Fidelity Fund, including making recommendations to the Committee and the Council on the annual contribution payable by solicitors.
• Ensure that resolutions of the Committee and Council are fully implemented.
• Active involvement with the Deputy Director, Legal Regulation and the Head of Regulatory Policy and Strategy, in legislative reform as it pertains to the Fidelity Fund and the Law Society’s role in its administration.
• Manage and develop the Fidelity Fund department’s staff, ensuring that skill sets remain relevant, and the appropriate systems are in place to discharge the Law Society’s statutory obligations.

About you

• Appropriate legal qualifications and maintenance of an unsupervised Australian practising certificate.
• Proven leadership and management experience.
• Experience in a regulatory or compliance-based environment, including appropriate technical and systems knowledge, is desirable.
• Experience in administrative law, litigation, conveyancing and wills and estates considered advantageous.
• Some familiarity with accounting concepts would be advantageous.
• Sound knowledge of the Uniform Law and related legislation.
• Regulates own behaviour, comprehends organisational structure and culture and acts appropriately in the execution of duties.
• Ability to clearly and influentially articulate a vision, encourage and support others while building valued and trusting relationships with others.
• Ability to practice open communication, lead by example and effectively provide honest and constructive feedback.
• Ability to plan and organise self and others to ensure the completion of tasks and to manage and support others to succeed in their roles.
• Ability to structure, engage and present information clearly and interestingly to various audiences.
• Proven ability to work in complex frameworks, analyse and prioritise elevated levels of information and convert ideas and objectives into actions.
• Demonstrated ability to develop clear project plans and timelines, regularly communicate with stakeholders including project team members and monitor project progress maintaining within budget and required standards.
• Demonstrated computer skills, including, e-mail and internet applications. data base applications and experience using MS Office programs, such as MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Display a commitment to quality client service, values the supplying of accurate and timely information and relates to people from diverse backgrounds.
• Proven ability to use clear, concise language in correspondence and reports.

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.