Employment Opportunities at SSO

The Law Graduate participates in rotational opportunities and formal training and development across Practice Areas, and undertakes meaningful work for the Government on a broad range of legal matters under the direct supervision of senior lawyers.

Under supervision the law graduates:

• learn the practice of law and its application to the operations of the Government of the State of Western Australia, its departments and instrumentalities. 
• undertake work across all practice areas on a rotational basis including a wide range of litigation in courts and tribunals at all levels 
• appear as counsel in courts and tribunals on suitable matters where admission to practice is not a precondition to the appearance
• research and prepare draft legal advice varying in complexity
• assist in the drafting of commercial documentation.     
• liaise with SSO clients in the conduct and management of matters
• developing an in-depth understanding of how different Government departments and agencies operate
• participate in mentoring and support opportunities offered as part of law graduate development. 

Eligibility: the Office will accept applications for employment as a Law Graduate from the following categories of candidates:

• Graduates who have not completed the coursework component of an approved practical legal training course. These graduates will be required to complete a practical legal training course during their 12 month legal traineeship (paid for by the State Solicitor’s Office).
• Graduates who have completed the coursework component of an approved practical legal training course (such as that provided by the College of Law) but have not yet been admitted to legal practice. These graduates will undertake 12 months as a Law Graduate, on the same terms and level of remuneration as those in category 1.  Provided the approved PLT coursework is completed prior to commencement, no further external PLT will be required.
• Graduates who have completed all requirements of an approved PLT course (such as that provided by the College of Law) and have been admitted to legal practice, but have not yet practised law. These graduates will also undertake 12 months of employment as a Law Graduate on the same terms and level of remuneration as those in categories 1 and 2, and will not be required to undertake further external PLT.

Note that this recruitment process is open to law graduates only. We accept applications from graduates who have been admitted to legal practice, however practising lawyers will not be eligible to apply.

One recruitment process is undertaken each year for the State Solicitor's Office's Law Graduate Program.

Applications open during April and May. 

The State Solicitor’s Office Professional Assistant (PA) Program provides high-achieving law students with a unique opportunity to gain immersive, full-time experience within Western Australia’s leading government legal practice.

Designed for students entering their final year of legal study, the program offers structured exposure to complex public sector legal work while supporting the transition from part-time study to full-time employment.

Professional assistants are employed on fixed-term contracts at Level 3 and work full-time across a two-year program. Positions are advertised on a biennial basis, with recruitment typically occurring mid-year (July/August). Successful candidates usually commence in late January or early February the following year, shortly before the annual law graduate intake, allowing for continuity and handover.

The program typically offers up to three professional assistant positions, supporting key areas of the Office, including:

• the State Solicitor (shared with Litigation)
• Counsel
• Advice, Policy and Public Law.

Rather than being assigned to a single practice area, professional assistants work across priority functions and matters. This approach provides broad exposure to government legal practice and opportunities to work closely with senior legal officers. Professional assistants report through the Legal Practice Support function.

Professional assistants undertake meaningful and challenging work, supporting senior lawyers on matters of significance to Government. Depending on business needs, responsibilities may include:

• legal and factual research on complex public law issues
• drafting research memoranda, legal documents and submissions
• assisting with litigation support tasks and court preparation
• contributing to law reform projects and submissions
• attending court, meetings and conferences to observe and support legal proceedings.

Recruitment is conducted through a pool process, with selection panels typically comprising senior legal leaders from relevant areas. Offers are made following completion of the process, rather than through an offers day model.

The program is designed to complement academic study and provide a strong foundation for a legal career. Participants benefit from close supervision, exposure to senior practitioners, and early insight into public sector legal practice.

Professional assistants are not part of the Law Graduate Program during their appointment. However, experience gained through the PA Program provides a strong

platform for future opportunities within the State Solicitor’s Office and the broader public sector legal profession.

Please refer to the Careers at SSO and Jobs WA websites for details on how to apply.

The State Solicitor's Office offers paid vacation clerkships each spring and summer for penultimate and final-year Bachelor of Laws and Juris Doctor students, providing an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on legal experience within a leading government law office. The program is well-structured and highly supported, enabling vacation clerks to undertake work across a variety of practice areas, including:

• Advice, Policy and Public Law
• Civil, Public and General Litigation
• Native Title and State Lands
• Commercial
• Counsel.

During the two-week clerkship, vacation clerks are likely to be assigned a diverse range of tasks on current matters affecting the State of Western Australia. Clerks are also encouraged to observe SSO lawyers in practice, including attending court proceedings and client meetings, to support a more immersive experience.

Four intakes are conducted each year, with groups undertaking clerkships in November, December and January.

The program is typically advertised between June and August via the WA Jobs Board, with selection finalised by September in line with the 11 September 2026 Offers Day.

Please note that no interviews are conducted for vacation clerkships at the State Solicitor's Office. Selection is based on demonstrated academic excellence and a strong interest in government-related law.

Law clerks and paralegals play a vital role in supporting the delivery of high-quality legal services at the State Solicitor’s Office. Working as part of dedicated legal practice

support teams, they provide essential assistance to lawyers across a broad range of practice areas and matters of significance to Government.

These roles offer exposure to complex and meaningful public sector legal work, with opportunities to develop strong technical, organisational and legal skills in a professional and collaborative environment. Law clerks and paralegals work closely with legal officers to support the preparation and management of litigation, legal advice and other legal work.

Depending on role and experience, responsibilities may include:

• legal and factual research
• drafting and formatting legal documents and correspondence
• assisting with litigation support tasks, including document management, discovery and court processes
• maintaining files and case management systems
• providing high-quality administrative and paralegal support to legal teams.

The State Solicitor’s Office values the contribution of its law clerks and paralegals and supports professional development, career progression, and flexible working arrangements where operationally appropriate. These roles are well suited to individuals seeking to build or further develop a career in public sector legal practice.

The State Solicitor’s Office is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds. Diversity of experience and perspective strengthens the organisation and the services it provides.

Opportunities for law clerks and paralegals are advertised on the Careers at SSO and Jobs WA websites.

The Office has approximately 20 legal assistants, each supporting a small group of lawyers. There are three levels, depending on the seniority and work of the assigned lawyers.

Responsibilities include:

• providing secretarial and clerical support to lawyers
• screening, answering and placing telephone calls
• word processing opinions, court and legal documents and associated correspondence
• assisting with the management of lawyers’ files, opinions and time sheets
• organising travel arrangements.

The State Solicitor’s Office has a small team of historical and anthropological researchers who work within the Native Land and Title division.

Responsibilities include:

• undertaking genealogical research
• preparing scoping reports for lawyers
• analysing relevant archival materials and litigation evidence
• maintaining historical land claims materials.

Positions are advertised on the Careers at SSO and Jobs WA websites.

The Corporate Services function enables the State Solicitor's Office to deliver high-quality legal services efficiently and effectively. Operating as a compliance steward, service enabler, and strategic partner, the section provides the foundation for both the operational integrity and strategic direction.

Roles span a range of functions, including:

• finance
• human resources
• information management and technology
• legal practice support
• governance and strategy.

The State Solicitor’s Office is committed to supporting the ongoing professional development of all staff, recognising that learning and capability‑building are fundamental to maintaining excellence in public sector legal practice.

We provide a range of development opportunities across the organisation, supporting staff at all career stages through formal learning, knowledge sharing and experiential development. Our approach encourages continuous improvement, collaboration and the sharing of expertise across teams.

For legal staff, the SSO delivers a tailored, in‑house Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program that runs throughout the year. This program is designed to support high‑quality legal practice and compliance with professional obligations, while fostering a strong culture of knowledge sharing across the Office. CPD sessions draw on the expertise of SSO lawyers and, where appropriate, external specialists, and cover a broad range of substantive, professional and practice‑related topics relevant to government legal work.

In addition to internal CPD, the SSO supports legal staff to attend specialist external CPD activities where relevant to their role and practice area. These opportunities enable staff to deepen technical expertise, remain informed of legal developments, and engage with the broader legal profession.

Through these initiatives, the State Solicitor’s Office demonstrates its commitment to developing capable, confident and well‑supported professionals who contribute to the delivery of high‑quality legal services for the Western Australian community.