The Mining and Energy Union has a proud 150-year history of representing workers in the mining and energy industries. The Union has over 24,000 members working across Australia. Its in-house National Legal Department conducts litigation on its behalf in federal and state courts and tribunals, up to and including before the High Court.
We are looking to employ a solicitor advocate to work as a National Legal Officer in our National Office in Sydney. The position is offered on a full time basis.
This is an excellent opportunity for a junior lawyer to obtain valuable litigation experience. The successful applicant will work as part of an experienced, highly competent and supportive in-house legal department under the day-to-day supervision of the National Legal Director.
The successful applicant will be motivated to establish a career as an advocate for working people, and looking for an opportunity to do so with an excellent in-house legal team and a Union which invests in strategic litigation.
Duties will include:
- appearing as an advocate in proceedings before the Fair Work Commission, including unfair dismissal and industrial dispute applications
- general conduct of litigation, including drafting dispute applications and pleadings and preparing witness statements
- instructing senior solicitors and counsel in more complex cases before the Commission, including the Full Bench, and the Federal Court
- advising officers and members of the Union on industrial and employment law issues, including urgently where required
- conducting compliance reviews of enterprise agreements or other industrial documents as required by the Union
- contributing to policy submissions on behalf of the Union, in particular those relating to legal frameworks
The role presents a unique opportunity to both represent individual workers and participate in the conduct of strategic litigation before both industrial tribunals and superior courts of record.
Essential requirements:
To be the successful applicant you must have the following attributes:
- Admitted Australian lawyer and holder of a practising certificate recognised in New South Wales
- Commitment to trade union values and motivation to build a career as an advocate for working people
- Knowledge of industrial law or related fields such as discrimination law
- High-quality legal drafting and research skills
- Ability to work cooperatively and efficiently in a team environment with tight deadlines
- Capacity to exercise good judgement and convey legal advice in plain English
- Willingness to travel interstate or to Regional New South Wales as required
- Experience working for:
- a law firm, trade union or community legal centre in a legal or advocacy role, or
- a court or tribunal as an associate/tipstaff.
Terms and conditions of employment:
Employment conditions will be subject to a collective agreement that provides amongst the best salary, superannuation and conditions of employment of any equivalent role in the union movement. Full details of proposed salary and entitlements will be provided to short-listed applicants.
The position of National Legal Officer with the Mining & Energy Union represents an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated junior lawyer. Wherever practical, we attempt to provide flexible work arrangements to enable employees to meet their family and community responsibilities.
The position is to commence as soon as practicable, subject to the availability of the successful applicant.
Please note that regular travel may be required.
How to apply:
Applications consisting of:
- cover letter of no more than one page
- curriculum vitae of no more than two pages
- copy of academic transcript
Should be sent by email to:
Mr Alistair Sage
National Legal Director
Mining & Energy Union
Email: [email protected]
Applications close on Friday 30 January 2026
All applications will be treated confidentially.