SOLICITOR - LITIGATION RISK & ENFORCEMENT

Personnel Area: Governance and Legal Services

Branch: City Legal

Salary Range: Band 7 $132,572 - $144,942 AUD per annum + superannuation

(Remuneration stated is for a full-time position)

Work type: Permanent Full-time

Location: Brisbane CBD

Our Branch

City Legal is a specialist provider of legal services to Brisbane City Council. We provide a comprehensive range of cost-effective legal services, adding value to Council's core business and major projects.

The Litigation, Risk and Enforcement team conducts a broad range of civil litigation and regulatory matters and advises on enforcement, legal risk, statutory interpretation and Council’s public-facing functions. The team values practical judgment, clear advice, collaboration and the development of effective legal processes and precedents.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Solicitor - Litigation, Risk & Enforcement to provide high quality, professional legal advice on complex issues and deliver effective litigation services across a broad range of Council matters.

Reporting to the Senior Legal Counsel and Legal Counsel, you will have substantial day-to-day responsibility for managing and conducting your own litigation and advisory matters, from initial assessment through to resolution. You will work closely with Council stakeholders, counsel and other external parties to provide clear and practical advice, develop litigation and enforcement strategies, prepare evidence and court documents, and appear for Council where appropriate.

This is a hands-on role for a solicitor who is comfortable making sound judgments, identifying the real issue in complex or incomplete factual circumstances, and progressing matters with an appropriate level of autonomy. You will also contribute to the capability of the team by sharing knowledge, supporting less experienced lawyers and improving precedents and legal processes.

What you’ll be doing

• conduct civil litigation on behalf of Council in Courts and Tribunals, including preparing matters for hearing, briefing counsel and appearing as advocate
• provide clear, practical and timely legal advice on legislation, local laws, regulatory matters, enforcement actions and legal risk issues
• manage litigation and related advisory matters from initial assessment through to resolution, including developing matter strategy, assessing evidence and prospects, complying with procedural obligations and keeping clients appropriately informed
• prepare clear and persuasive legal documents, including affidavits, originating applications, general applications, orders and other court documentation
• partner with Council stakeholders to resolve complex customer and organisational issues, ensuring legal advice is commercially and operationally focused
• manage external counsel and legal providers where engaged, including preparing effective briefs, providing clear instructions and critically considering the advice and work received
• support junior solicitors and contribute to the development and improvement of team precedents, procedures and knowledge
• liaise with senior Council officers, State Government representatives and external parties while managing competing priorities and meeting productivity and performance targets.

 To be successful you will have:

• demonstrated experience conducting litigation matters within the Supreme, District, Magistrates and/or Land Courts of Queensland, ideally within a Local Government environment
• strong knowledge of the construction and application of legislation, subordinate legislation and local laws relevant to local government, including litigation, risk and enforcement matters
• strong drafting and advocacy skills, including experience preparing pleadings, affidavits, submissions and other court documents and appearing in procedural or substantive court matters
• sound legal judgment and the ability to work through complex, sensitive or incomplete factual circumstances and provide practical advice
• highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to provide complex legal advice in plain English
• excellent organisational, prioritisation and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines, work collaboratively within a team and contribute to a culture of performance excellence
• a collaborative approach and willingness to support less experienced lawyers and contribute to the development of precedents, processes and team capability
• admission as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and a current Queensland Law Society Practising Certificate.
• experience in local government, public sector litigation, regulatory enforcement, debt recovery, administrative law or information-access matters will be highly regarded.

Benefits of working for Council include:

• flexible working hours, and flexible arrangements
• flex time
• free gym and wellness centre
• award winning superannuation fund
• generous leave provisions
• competitive salary.

Benefits of working for Council: CLICK HERE

How to apply:  Click on the 'I’m interested' button to complete your online application. Please upload your tailored resume and one-page cover letter demonstrating your suitability to the position.

This role will require a Criminal History Check.

For more information: Please contact David Ngo – david.ngo@brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 07 3178 8886

People from diverse backgrounds, including those living with a disability and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who may have questions about the recruitment process or working at Council, are encouraged to reach out to the contact above, who can connect you with a member of Council’s Diversity and Inclusion team.

Application Closing Date: Wednesday 9 September 2026 at 11:55pm AEST.

Brisbane City Council is a multi-award winning accessible and inclusive workplace where our people represent the diverse communities we serve, are supported, and can feel safe. Council has been awarded Employer of the Year at the National Disability Awards and has been recognised multiple times with ‘Gold Employer’ status from the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTI inclusion.

Council and its employees must follow the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 (Qld) and the Code of Conduct. This means employees are expected to act with honesty, fairness, and always prioritise the public interest over personal or private gain. The Code of Conduct requires employees to openly disclose any other work they do outside of Council — including paid or unpaid employment, operating their own business or volunteering in certain circumstances — and to manage any conflicts of interest or other risks (such as fatigue) in a way that puts the public interest first. Maintaining employment outside Council does not preclude you from being considered for roles within Council.