Special Counsel

Special Counsel (Senior Executive Service Band 2)

Dispute Resolution, Tax Team – Sydney

Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) is a group within the Attorney-General’s Department. It is one of Australia’s most significant national legal services providers with offices in every capital city and approximately 320 lawyers covering some 40 different areas of law related to government. AGS provides legal services through 3 national practices: AGS Dispute Resolution, the Office of General Counsel and AGS Commercial.

AGS Dispute Resolution provides specialist expertise in resolving and managing disputes – through litigation and alternative dispute resolution. We provide advice and act in all types of matters, across a range of areas of law and across jurisdictions – from small claims and disputes, to the largest and most sensitive litigation matters in which the Commonwealth is involved.

AGS is a self-funded fee-for-service Commonwealth trading enterprise competing in the market for the significant majority of its work. Our lawyers have business winning and time recording responsibilities and billable targets. We have a strong focus on providing excellent legal advice and representation, outstanding client service, and on being effective and efficient in our business operations.

For further information about AGS practice areas and our business please visit our website www.ags.gov.au

About the role

AGS Dispute Resolution is seeking expressions of interest for the position of Special Counsel (Senior Executive Service Band 2) in the Tax team in Sydney.

The successful applicant will be expected to undertake the responsibilities set out in the Legal Practitioner, Senior Executive Service Band 2 role description which is available below.

Purpose of the role

The person appointed to this role will provide high level tax litigation services and legal advice in relation to matters of high importance, sensitivity and complexity for the Australian Government and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in particular. The person will be a senior professional leader and role model in AGS, with significant national practice responsibility for developing AGS’s tax litigation expertise and capability, mentoring future AGS professional leaders and building strategic relationships with the ATO.

The role operates at a strategic level under limited direction and with a significant level of professional independence.

The Special Counsel will work closely with the National Leader of AGS Dispute Resolution and other senior Counsel and Team Leaders within the practice. The person appointed will also work closely with the Australian Government Solicitor and Chief Operating Officer in relation to particularly important legal issues affecting the Commonwealth. The Special Counsel can also expect to have high level engagement with the ATO and other Government departments and agencies at the most senior levels.

Key responsibilities of the role

These include:

Qualifications including relevant professional experience, knowledge and skills

On the Register of Practitioners of the High Court of Australia or the roll of barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory.

Substantial experience in the provision of tax litigation and legal advice services (minimum 10 years senior executive level or partner level in the private sector) across a broad range of areas relevant to Commonwealth legal practice and a thorough understanding of the Commonwealth legal environment.

Professional standing as a leading expert in the Commonwealth public sector and/or legal profession.

Remuneration

Salary will be negotiated with the successful applicant, depending on their skills and experience.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please click the ‘Apply’ button below.

If you wish to express interest in this employment opportunity you will need to include your CV and a covering letter (no more than 4 pages) indicating relevant experience with reference to the required qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills as set out above.

Closing date

Applications close on 23 May 2017.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Matthew Blunn, National Leader, AGS Dispute Resolution on 02 6253 7424, or Steven Minter, Human Resources Business Partner on

02 9581 7783.

Eligibility

To apply for this role you must be an Australian citizen.

The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at a Baseline, Negative Vetting 1 or Negative Vetting 2 level as required (or higher if required).