Solicitor Vacancies - Sydney or Melbourne
About Prolegis Lawyers
Prolegis Lawyers is one of Australia’s leading and largest specialist charity law firms, with deep expertise across the charities, not-for-profits and philanthropy sector. We exist solely to provide specialist legal services in those areas. We are ranked Band One with Chambers and Partners for “Charities” in Australia.
Our purpose is to help enable and support the good work of the people and organisations who seek our services. Our clients range from large philanthropic foundations, national charities and not-for-profits to smaller organisations operating at a local level to make a difference. We work with aid and human rights organisations, schools, religious bodies, environmental, animal welfare and health and disability services. We have offices in Sydney and Melbourne and work as one team.
Position Summary
We are looking to fill a position in our Disputes team in either our Melbourne or Sydney office.
Specifically, we invite applications from suitably experienced Solicitors (1-5 years PAE) with experience in litigation, disputes and/or employment law.
The role will support our work advising charities, not-for-profits, social enterprises, philanthropic organisations and government entities with:
- Disputes, including:
- advising in relation to charitable trust proceedings relating to breaches of trust, cy près and schemes of administration, acting for charities or contradictors in judicial advice proceedings
- acting for charities and not-for-profits in contested membership disputes
- resolving disputes relating to funding agreements with government or grant agreements from philanthropic entities, and
- advising in relation to bequests to charities, including in family provision claims
- Regulatory investigations and inquiries, including:
- assisting charities to respond to investigations from the Australian Charities and Not-for Profits Commission
- working through tax controversy matters with the Australian Taxation Office including reviews and audits
- assisting with tax and duty disputes with state-based revenue bodies
- assisting charities through public inquiries including Royal Commissions and inquests, and
- working through investigations or allegations from sector regulators.
- Employment and Industrial Relations, including:
- advising and developing appropriate contracts and policies for all types of working arrangements: employment, independent contractors, volunteers, including advise on appropriate working arrangements for churches and mission organisations.
- advising and representing organisations on difficult people issues (employees, members, parents, and other stakeholders): discipline, unfair dismissal claims, discrimination claims, and bullying claims.
- advising on workplace health and safety issues and procedures, advise on risk management and workers compensation issues.
- advising and managing investigations on a range of people issues, including misconduct, child protection and Ombudsman.
- assisting small and medium size not-for-profit organisations to manage HR issues and develop appropriate policies and procedures.
- assisting not-for-profit clients to develop Enterprise Agreements with their employees and deal with award issues.
- advising on people related legal and HR issues related to mergers/acquisitions/divestments.
- Safeguarding, including:
- designing safeguarding governance frameworks and systems;
- undertaking reviews of the safeguarding policies, procedures and practices;
- assisting with mandatory reporting and police reporting;
- overseeing and advising on reportable conduct investigations;
- providing support during police attendances; and
- working with technology providers to develop innovative child safety systems to be deployed by charities and not-for-profits.
The role will also support our interface with government agencies, such as the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, Treasury, State/Territory Revenue offices and State/Territory Associations regulators.
Our lawyers have close client contact and are expected to work collegiately with all colleagues to deliver excellent client service.
We are deeply committed to the development of our lawyers at all stages, with a strong focus on mentoring and supporting early-career practitioners.
Alongside meaningful and high-quality work, there is a strong sense of collegiality. We enjoy working together and have built a supportive and engaging team culture.
What do we look for in applicants?
Successful applicants are committed to work in legal practice focussed on the social purpose sector.
Our values and purpose are embedded in our culture. We are committed to being a workplace that promotes alignment to those values and purpose – both professionally and personally. They are embraced by our staff.
Experience
While legal expertise concerning charities and not-for-profits is desirable, an ability and willingness to learn is essential.
Either knowledge of, experience with, or a genuine interest in, the following will also be advantageous: community service organisations, faith-based organisations (including churches and mission organisations), trusts, schools, grant making charities (ancillary funds), overseas aid and development organisations, PBI and other deductible gift recipients.
We welcome applicants without experience in these areas but who are open and keen to learn and genuinely looking to commit to working in a firm focussed on the social purpose sector.
Qualities
Fit with our values: a successful candidate will embody the values of trust, humility, teamwork, reliability and honesty, and show high levels of accountability and reliability as a legal professional.
Teamwork: a successful candidate will have a collegiate and collaborative approach with colleagues to client and matter management.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills: a successful candidate will possess a deep commitment to client service, humility and the ability to learn quickly and work effectively in a team and with clients at all levels.
Legal knowledge and skills: a successful candidate will:
- Demonstrate an interest in our client sector, with an inquiring nature
- Have knowledge and experience with (or excellent ability to quickly become familiar with) the laws relating to the types of work listed above with good problem-solving skills: agility and proactiveness
- Be technically sound and adopt a commercial and efficient approach consistent with furthering the charitable and philanthropic purposes of our clients.
Organisation: a successful candidate will be able to prioritise and manage a range of matters with different and changing degrees of urgency.
Personal Responsibility: a successful candidate will be self-starting with a strong sense of personal responsibility. They will have the integrity to work well as a legal professional and know when to seek guidance.
Qualifications
- Australian Legal Practitioner
What our people say
‘There is a genuine commitment to developing subject matter experts here. I’ve consistently felt supported in my growth, with colleagues investing time and care in helping me build both technical skills and confidence as a practitioner.’ - Luke
‘I could not imagine a better place to learn and grow in my technical and interpersonal skills than at Prolegis. The team is approachable, encouraging, generous with their time, deeply passionate and committed to excellence.’ - Georgia
What our clients say
‘… professional, considered and a great source of not only accurate and timely legal advice but also tempered with deep understanding of people and life experience. … someone I would trust absolutely in future.’
‘Prolegis Lawyers have undertaken some outstanding work for us in the establishment of the foundation. Their work … has been of an outstandingly high professional standard, of which we are truly appreciative.’
Interested?
Please email your CV, cover letter addressed to Sam Burnett, Partner and and Disputes Practice Lead to admin@prolegis.com.au.
Applications close Friday 6 November 2026. |
