Vacation Clerkship Program null

About Department of Justice WA

The State Solicitor's Office is responsible for the provision of broad-based, high-quality legal services to the Government of Western Australia and to a wide range of state government client departments and agencies including advice on law reform.

Your role

The State Solicitor's Office is responsible for the provision of broad-based, high-quality legal services to the Government of Western Australia and to a wide range of state government client departments and agencies including advice on law reform.

Key functions of the Office are to:

• Provide legal advice to the Cabinet, the Attorney General of WA, Ministers and government departments and agencies.
• Draft legal documents for the Government and government clients.
• Represent the State of WA and government clients in a wide range of civil litigation matters.
• Provide commercial, conveyancing and other property-related services.
• Manage native title claims on behalf of the State.
• Conduct prosecutions for client agencies with prosecutorial powers.
• Appear as counsel on behalf of the State and clients in a wide range of State and Federal courts and tribunals.

During your clerkship, you will be allocated a broad range of tasks relating to current matters impacting the State of Western Australia. You will also be encouraged to get out of the office and view our solicitors in action, whether that be in Court or at client meetings.

Training & development

The State Solicitor's Office offers excellent paid Vacation Clerkships each summer and winter for law students, giving you the opportunity to gain practical legal experience with a leading law office. As part of their well-structured and well-mentored program, Vacation Clerks can expect to undertake work in a range of their practice areas, including Advice, Policy and Public Law, Civil and Public and General Litigation, Native Title and State Lands, Commercial and Counsel.

Salary & benefits

As provided by the employer, the Vacation Clerkship earn an average of A$60,190 -  A$68,636 per annum + Super (PSCA 2022)

Working with the Department of Justice, you will receive all the benefits attached to a government career: job security, competitive wages, flexible work arrangements, generous leave provisions, and a supported work/life balance.

 Additional benefits include:

1. Subsidized housing in specified regional locations in the form of rental assistance through Government Regional Officers Housing (GROH) and the Home Ownership Subsidy Scheme (HOSS)
2. District allowances which are an additional payment for staff working in specified regional locations
3. Additional annual lease for staff working in specified regional locations

Career progression

With locations in the CBD, greater metropolitan area, and regional WA, they offer a diverse choice of locations for you to use your talents.

The Department of Justice is proud of its diverse workforce and is committed to ensuring all its employees are valued and have the opportunity to maximize their potential. To know more, watch this video. 

Work life balance

There are countless ways to develop your career at the Department of Justice. It is one of the most diverse public sector organizations in WA, providing a variety of legal, justice, corrections, and related services to the Government and the community.

Work as part of a team or independently, have contact with a variety of people or work behind the scenes, it’s up to you.

Culture & vibe

The State Solicitor's Office is committed to building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. They actively promote the employment of Aboriginal Australians, people with disabilities, youth, and other diverse groups. People with disabilities will be provided with reasonable adjustments in their recruitment processes and in the workplace.

About you

These clerkships are available to penultimate and final year law students currently completing their Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor in Law.

While the State Solicitor's Office looks for graduates with excellent results in their law degrees, they also want to employ people who have a commitment to public service, and understand that working in government can be different to working for private clients in private practice.

All employees are required to undergo employment screening, which includes a National Criminal History Check and other checks that may be relevant to the position requirements.

How to apply

This role is currently closed. If you are interested in this role, simply click "Pre-Register" and Prosple will inform you once this position from the Department of Justice WA opens again.

Sources

The following sources were used in researching this page

• wa.gov.au