Legal Counsel

Guardian Australia is part of Guardian News & Media (GNM), publisher of theguardian.com. As a leading global media organisation, we are renowned for our pioneering independent journalism and our award-winning digital products.

We are seeking a legal counsel to join our Editorial team, to provide legal support, including pre- and post-publication editorial legal advice to Guardian Australia. 

This role is being offered on a full-time permanent basis. While Sydney-based candidates are preferred for this role, applicants based in Melbourne will also be considered.

You’Ll Work On…

• Provision of pre-publication legal advice to the editorial team on a real-time basis on all newsgathering and content-related issues (including digital news, audio and video content on and off platform). Some after-hours availability may be required for this.
• Assessing and advising on complex, longer-term editorial investigations, identifying and assessing legal risks and working with editorial stakeholders to find a way to address those risks while achieving the editorial aim.
• Post-publication complaints handling including Guardian Editorial Code matters and legal complaints.
• Advising on merits of court cases threatened and/or filed against Guardian Australia, working with the Head of Legal and editorial team and other appropriate executives to define strategic defence, gathering evidence, reviewing and preparing court documents, participating in mediations/negotiations and settlements of disputes where warranted, as well as managing any outside counsel as needed.
• Managing pre- and post-publication litigation (including defamation, breach of confidence, privacy and data protection, FoI, suppression/non-publication orders, contempt of court, subpoenas, copyright and fair dealing).
• Development and provision of in-house editorial training on media law issues (including defamation, privacy, FoI, data protection, copyright, suppression/non-publication orders, contempt of court, general newsgathering and Guardian Editorial Code issues and other aspects of media law).
• Contributing to policy and lobbying discussions and documents.
• Reporting functions – e.g. assisting with preparation of board report, day to day reporting to Head of Legal.
• Assisting Head of Legal and other members of the global legal team with case work as required.
• Occasional red flag review and negotiation of NDAs and commercial contracts for the commercial team, as required on an ad-hoc basis. 

You’Ll Bring….

Knowledge And Experience

• Admitted as a legal practitioner of an Australian jurisdiction with at least 5-8 years post-qualified experience in pre-publication content advice and litigation, including media litigation, with ability to handle own case load.
• Relevant experience working in or for media organisations, and excellent knowledge of Australian media law (including defamation, breach of confidence, privacy, FoI, contempt, copyright, statutory reporting restrictions).
• Knowledge of the Guardian’s role in the Australian and broader global media landscape, as well as an understanding of our digital platforms and social media presence.
• Experience of working in a fast-changing and high-pressure environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Guardian’s editorial values.
• Knowledge of criminal law and procedure as it relates to newsgathering is an advantage.
• Strong academic qualifications.
• An ability to bring a diverse perspective to this role is an advantage.

Skills / Behaviours

• High professional standards, preferably with previous in-house experience, able to work across international borders and deal with challenging situations.
• Demonstrable interest in media law and the media industry in Australia.
• Able to build relationships with people at all levels and work collaboratively with them.
• Confident communicator with excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Structured and clear thinker with a flexible attitude and good problem-solving and risk-assessing skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, able to prioritise work in a deadline-driven environment and make quick, independent, decisions while remaining calm under pressure.
• Open to feedback and correction

About working at Guardian Australia… 

• Hybrid working 
• Employee assistance program (EAP) to support employee wellbeing
• Paid volunteer leave
• Dedicated diversity and inclusion employee groups, action plans (including our Reconciliation Action Plan) and cultural competency training
• Guardian digital subscription

For more information please view the full job description here.

This role is being offered on a full-time permanent basis. 

To apply for this position, please apply online and upload your résumé (maximum three pages) plus covering letter. In your covering letter please outline your motivation for applying for the role and why you think you are suitable.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 13 November 2025. 

If you have application questions or if you require an adjustment to be made during the recruitment process, please email australia.hr@theguardian.com

We believe that our role in the Australian media is to give a voice to the most marginalised people in society and value and respect all differences in all people — including people of colour, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from different social classes, people with diverse gender and sexual identities, and people with disabilities (seen and unseen). We believe that these communities must be centred in the work we do, bringing a new perspective and a diversity of thought. We also encourage flexible working and aim to create a work environment where all employees feel respected.