Legal Counsel
Provide clients with expert legal advice.
Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowJob growth
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5-year projectionSalary
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Typical salaryJob satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right nowSalary
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Typical salaryJob growth
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5-year projectionJob satisfaction
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On this page
- What's it like to be a Legal Counsel?
- How to become a Legal Counsel
- Latest Legal Counsel jobs
- Top skills and experience for Legal Counsels
- Is Legal Counsel the right role for you?
- Legal Counsel role reviews
What's it like to be a Legal Counsel?
Legal Counsel are Lawyers who work in–house at organisations, providing legal advice and guidance on matters of law. They review and draft legal documents, manage risk, conduct negotiations on behalf of the organisation and ensure the organisation’s legal compliance. Legal Counsel are degree–qualified experts in law. They are employed by organisations in a broad range of industries including professional services, property, finance, healthcare, public administration and insurance.
Tasks and duties
- Interviewing clients to determine issues and recommending appropriate course of legal action.
- Reviewing and drafting contracts, documents of sale, leases and other legal documents.
- Representing clients in court.
- Preparing cases for court by conducting research and investigations, preparing witnesses and filing legal documents.
- Preparing and executing wills on behalf of clients.
- Providing expert advice on matters of Law in a range of situations.
- Acting as a trustee on behalf of clients.
How to become a Legal Counsel
You need to complete a law degree at university to become a Legal Counsel. Students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated discipline may complete the Juris Doctor (JD) as an alternative to the Bachelor of Law (LLB). It is mandatory to complete Practical Legal Training (PLT) either during or post–study. You will also need to undergo the application process to obtain your Australian Practising Certificate in order to practice law in an Australian court.
- Complete a Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor. The Bachelor of Law is usually a five–year course of full–time study, while the Juris Doctor can be completed in three years and requires a previous undergraduate qualification.
- Consider completing postgraduate study such as the Master of Laws. This is usually a two–year course of full–time study.
- Complete PLT work experience.
- Apply for admission to your state or territory’s Supreme court.
- Complete a National Police Check.
- Undergo the application process to obtain your Australian Practising Certificate.
- Become a member of the Law Council of Australia.
Compare your salary
Find out how your salary compares with the average salary for Legal Counsels.Latest Legal Counsel jobs on SEEK
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Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Legal Counsel employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas. Legal Advice
Commercial Contracting
Litigation
Negotiation
Admissions
Law
Legal Support
Private Practice
Legal Services
Intellectual Property
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Latest Legal Counsel reviews
May 2021
Senior Legal Counsel - Rewarding and Interesting but career profession can be difficult with limited opportunities
Reviewer's QualificationBachelor of Law
Experience10+ years
Organisation sizeLarge (200+ employees)
SpecialisationTelecommunications
The good thingsSenior legal counsel in an interesting business will be able to perform a wide variety of challenging work. As opposed to private practice, you feel like you are closer to the business and can see you...
The challengesThe in house legal life can face challenges like the business not accepting or understanding the advice they are receiving. Sometimes there is pushback on legal advice given and this can be difficult ...
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Feb 2024
Interesting but not conducive to achieving a healthy work/life balance.
Reviewer's QualificationBachelor of Law
Experience10+ years
Organisation sizeLarge (200+ employees)
SpecialisationBanking & Financial Services
The good thingsThe variety and nature of the work is interesting.
The challengesOvertime and weekend work is frequently required.
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SEEK has not verified the truth or accuracy of these comments and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted on this page.SEEK collects and posts the comments for what they are worth and for information purposes only to assist candidates to find employment through www.seek.com.au
