Employment Opportunities at SSO

Generally the State Solicitor's Office recruitment strategy for lawyers is targeted at more junior levels through an acclaimed Law Graduate programme, moving through to Restricted Practice and beyond.

However, the State Solicitor's Office also selectively recruits at junior, mid-range and senior (partner equivalent) levels when the special need arises.

The State Solicitor's Office is always keen to hear from very talented lawyers who are interested in joining a leading government law firm in one or more of the practice areas outlined in this website.

If you require any further information on lawyer positions with us, contact:

Human Resources  
Phone: 61 8 9264 1888
Email: ssohr@sso.wa.gov.au 

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 supervision of Senior Legal Officers.

Under the direct supervision of Senior Legal Officers, the Law Graduate is responsible for:

• Learning the practice of law and its application to the operations of the Government of the State of Western Australia, its departments and instrumentalities. 
• Undertaking work across all practice areas on a rotational basis including:
  • a wide range of litigation in courts and tribunals at all levels 
  • appearing as counsel in courts and tribunals on suitable matters where admission to practice is not a pre-condition to the appearance
  • researching and preparing draft legal advice of a range of complexity
  • assisting the drafting of commercial documentation.     
• Liaison directly with State Solicitor's Office clients in the conduct and management of matters
• Developing an in-depth understanding of how different Government departments and agencies operate
• Participating in mentoring and support opportunities offered as part of Law Graduate development. 

The Office will accept applications from:

1. Law 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).
2. Law 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 been admitted to practice law. These graduates will still undertake a 12 month legal traineeship, with the same level of remuneration as the graduates in 1 above, but will not have to undertake further external practical legal training provided the approved course work is completed prior to their commencement.
3. Law graduates who have completed the requirements of an approved practical legal training course (such as that provided by the College of Law) and have already been admitted to practice law but have not yet practiced law. These graduates will still undertake a 12 month legal traineeship, with the same level of remuneration as the graduates in 1 and 2 above, but will not have to undertake further external practical legal training.

   Note that this recruitment process is open to law graduates only. We will accept applications from graduates who have been admitted to practice law; however practicing lawyers will not be eligible to apply. This ineligibility includes overseas qualified and practicing lawyers who have completed an Australian law degree for admission in Western Australia.

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

   Applications for the 2023 Law Graduate Program are now open, closing 4.30 pm Monday 20 June 2022. Please refer to the WA Jobs Board for details on how to apply.

   Pay scales

   Law Graduates receive remuneration of $81,452 per annum (Level 4). Remuneration for the second year of the program will be that payable to a Solicitor (L2LG), commencing at $96,548 (as of 13 June 2021).

    

These full time positions will provide applicants with a unique opportunity to work closely with the most senior legal officers within government. Responsibilities include assisting in drafting legal opinions, submissions and correspondence and involvement in law reform. The work is interesting, diverse and challenging and will provide an excellent basis for a successful career in law.

To apply:

All applications must be submitted on the WA Jobs Board.

Applications are now open for the State Solicitor's Office 2022/2023 Vacation Clerkship program. 

Summer 2022/2023 (two weeks duration)

Group One: 28 November 2022 – 09 December 2022

Group Two: 09 January 2023 – 20 January 2023

Group Three: 30 January 2023 – 10 February 20203

Winter 2023 (two weeks duration)

Group One: 12 June 2023 – 23 June 2023

Group Two: 26 June 2023 - 07 July 2023

Group Three: 10 July 2023 - 20 July 2023

To apply: All applications must be submitted on the WA Jobs Board. Please address your application to the Panel Chair, Ms Tania Jeyamohan including:

1. A cover letter of no more than two (2) pages discussing why you want to undertake a vacation clerkship at the State Solicitor's Office.
2. A current comprehensive CV, including contact details of two referees.
3. A copy of your most current academic transcript.

Late applications or those sent directly to the State Solicitor's Office cannot be accepted.  Applications received directly by the State Solicitor's Office will be returned to the applicant for re-submission via the WA Jobs Board.

Offers for the State Solicitor's Office 2022/2023 Vacation Clerkship Program will be made from 9.00 am on Friday 16 September 2022.

These clerkships are available to penultimate and final year law students currently completing their Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor in Law. The carefully structured vacation clerkship program ensures that participants are well mentored and gain experience in as many of the State Solicitor's practice areas as possible.

During a typical clerkship a Vacation Clerk will spend a week one of the following areas before rotating into another:

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

During a week's placement a major task will be allocated along with opportunities to attend court and meetings.

Please note that no interviews are held for Vacation Clerkships at the State Solicitor's Office. Clerkships are selected based on academic excellence combined with a genuine interest in law pertaining to Government.

Positions range from relatively junior law clerks through to very skilled and experienced senior managing law clerks. Once with the State Solicitor's Office you will have excellent opportunities for personal development and advancement.

Typical work of law clerks and paralegals includes:

• Providing clerical and paralegal support to lawyers.
• Filing and serving documents.
• Preparing a range of legal and court documents and associated correspondence.
• Assisting with the management of large litigation matters, including data base administration and document management.
• Managing a range of legal files under the supervision of lawyers
• Appearing in chambers.

Available positions are advertised on the WA Jobs Board. Jobs feature on the Department of Justice website.
If you require any further information on law clerk or paralegal positions with us, please contact:

Human Resources
Phone: 61 8 9264 1888
Email: ssohr@sso.wa.gov.au

Typical work of legal assistants include:

• Providing secretarial and clerical support to lawyers.
• Screening, answering or placing telephone calls.
• Word processing of opinions, court and legal documents and associated correspondence.
• Assisting with the management of lawyers' files, opinions and time sheets.
• Attending to travel arrangements.

Positions are advertised in a similar manner to Law Clerks and Paralegals - please see above.

If you require any further information on legal assistant or reception positions, contact:

Human Resources
Phone: 61 8 9264 1888
Email: ssohr@sso.wa.gov.au

The State Solicitor's Office has a small team of historical and anthropological researchers whose work typically includes:

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

Positions are advertised in a similar manner to Law Clerks and Paralegals - please see above.

If you require any further information on historical research positions, contact:

Managing Research Officer
Phone: 61 8 9264 6102
Email: sso@sso.wa.gov.au

Corporate Services is responsible for the Finance and Facilities, Human Resources, Information Technology, Records, Legal Projects and Corporate Governance areas.

Available positions are advertised on the WA Jobs Board. Jobs feature on the Department of Justice website.
If you require any further information on corporate services positions, contact:

Human Resources
Phone: 61 8 9264 1888
Email: ssohr@sso.wa.gov.au