Solicitor, National Litigation & Casework

• Location: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth or Australia-wide from one of our offices 
• Term: Ongoing  
• Full-time: 37.5 hours per week (flexible working arrangements will be considered for suitable candidates) 
• Remuneration: SCHADS Level 5: $108,901 + 12% super + 17.5% Annual Leave Loading 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are particularly encouraged to apply 

Job title: Solicitor – National Litigation  

Reporting to: Managing Lawyer – Litigation & Casework 

Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the leading environmental law practice in the Australia Pasifik Region delivering legal solutions for people, nature and our climate. Our vision is for a world where nature thrives. We are ambitious about the role we can play in delivering that vision and we have an incredible team across the country working to achieve it. 

We are dedicated to protecting our climate, communities and shared environment by providing access to justice, running ground-breaking litigation and leading law reform advocacy. Over our 40-year combined history, we have developed a formidable track record of empowering communities and delivering effective protection of the environment through legal services. 

As the region’s legal experts in our field, we aim to be a brave, unified, and focused team, committed to inclusion and excellence in all that we do. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace supporting a highly skilled, engaged, and effective team, where everyone can feel that they belong. 

The opportunity: 

We are seeking a talented Solicitor with demonstrated litigation experience to join our National Litigation team. This is an opportunity to apply your skills in a setting where litigation is a tool for systemic change. 

As the largest public interest environmental law centre in the region, we run cases that deliver meaningful outcomes for communities and nature. This role offers the chance to develop your litigation expertise while contributing to work of genuine public importance.   

Candidate Profile: 

We are seeking a litigation lawyer motivated by purpose and inspired by the potential of the law to drive lasting environmental change. This role offers the opportunity to engage deeply with complex public interest issues and to think strategically and creatively about legal solutions. We particularly welcome applicants who bring innovative ideas, diverse perspectives, and a thoughtful approach to solving challenging problems.   

You will have an unrestricted practising certificate, and strong PAE working as a lawyer with demonstrated litigation experience in a commercial setting. This position represents an opportunity to develop your litigation expertise in a public interest setting, and make a difference in climate justice, human rights and the environment, First Nations rights and interests, and environmental protection, to make an impact for communities and nature.    

Key selection criteria:   

Core skills 

• An unrestricted practicing certificate or entitlement to one and a minimum of 2+ years PAE desired. 
• Demonstrated experience in litigation practice and procedure, with administrative law, environment and planning law and/or corporate and commercial law skills desirable 
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make sound judgments and decisions based on consideration of different views 
• Demonstrated ability to work productively and to deadlines 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills suited to a range of audiences   

Substantive experience 

• Demonstrated litigation experience in administrative, environment and planning law, and/or related disciplines, with corporate and commercial law experience desirable 
• Capacity to undertake law reform or policy work desirable 
• Demonstrated experience working with First Nations people or diverse communities and individuals highly desirable   

Personal qualities and cultural competency 

• A champion of the EDO values 
• Strong initiative and self-motivation 
• Commitment to the protection of human rights and the environment 
• A strong sense of ethics and understanding of professional obligations 
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of First Nations and peoples from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations in both the delivery of our work and our internal culture 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative and team-based environment 

Our Culture and Benefits:

We care deeply about creating a workplace where our team members feel valued, respected, and empowered. We are committed to providing equal opportunity regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or life stage.   

• The chance to be part of the largest environmental legal practice in the Australia-Pacific   
• A very flexible and family-friendly workplace   
• Option to work from home and the office   
• 8 weeks paid parental leave, regardless of gender or carer status  
• 15 days personal/carer’s leave    
• 20 days annual lave 
• 3 days paid cultural leave  
• Paid leave to attend NAIDOC and National Reconciliation Week events  
• Access to Fitness Passport  
• Extra leave over the Christmas period  
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  
• Ongoing professional development opportunities   
• EDO proudly has a JEDI (Justice, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion) Committee and a Mental Health Ambassador Committee, and has developed a First Nations Program with the aid of Indigenous-led consultancies.  
• Affinity groups for the following: Global Majority*, LGBTQIA+ & People with Disability 

*Global Majority is a collective term that first and foremost speaks to and encourages those so-called, to think of themselves as belonging to the majority on planet earth. It refers to people who are Black, African, Asian, Brown, dual-heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or, have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’. 

Commitment to EDO’s Cultural Pillars:  

All employees are expected to contribute to a workplace culture that reflects EDO’s values and cultural pillars through their actions, behaviours and decision-making. 

• Thriving People & Professional Excellence: Demonstrating professionalism, accountability, continuous learning and a commitment to a safe, supportive and high-performing workplace. 
• Shared Direction & Courageous Action: Working collaboratively toward shared goals, embracing change and demonstrating initiative, adaptability and courage. 
• Grounded in Clarity, Strengthened by Trust, Driven by Ownership: Acting with integrity and transparency, building trust and taking ownership of responsibilities and decisions. 
• Inclusive Impact: Valuing diverse perspectives, promoting cultural safety and inclusion, and supporting justice, equity and meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and communities. 
• Purposeful Joy: Contributing to a positive, connected and respectful workplace, supporting wellbeing and bringing enthusiasm, curiosity and optimism to work. 

How to Apply  

• Click ‘Apply here’ above 
• To review the position description, please see this link: https://www.edo.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/EDO-Position-Description-I-Solicitor-Senior-Solicitor-National-Litigation-Casework.pdf  

If you have queries regarding this advert, please contact recruitment@edo.org.au. 

Applications close on Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 9:00AM AEDT.  

Applications must include a CV and a letter that addresses each of the selection criteria. 

Please note: Your application may be considered for future roles at the EDO within the next 12 months without additional advertising. Please notify us in your application if you would not like to be considered for similar roles beyond this recruitment. 

If you have any accessibility needs for the recruitment or interviewing process, please let us know in your application or by emailing recruitment@edo.org.au.  

Other Information 

All offers of employment may be subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check, disclosure of previous or current disciplinary action, referee checks, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.