Law Society of New South Wales, Media Release, 24 October 2025

Law practices in country NSW have embraced a new ‘regional jobs board’ for the state’s legal profession seeking to attract solicitors wanting a tree-change and brighter career opportunities.

President of the Law Society of NSW Jennifer Ball said that of the 43,620 solicitors holding practising certificates as of 30 June this year, fewer than 5,000 (or 11 per cent) were based in rural NSW.

“If early response to the Careers in the Country platform is any guide, it could change that statistic. In the platform’s first week a little over a month ago, rural practices advertised for 25 vacancies across 13 NSW Regional Law Society areas, indicating healthy demand for solicitors in the bush,” Ms Ball said.

“The Law Society has long advocated for improved access to justice in rural, regional and remote (RRR) communities because they are among the areas of greatest legal need in our state. The breadth and depth of country legal work can provide early career lawyers with a strong foundation of practice experience on which to build a thriving career in the law, as well as lifestyle benefits of living and working in the regions.”

Careers in the Country is a free platform for Law Society member practice principals in RRR communities to post vacancies, and for solicitors and legal support staff to look for opportunities to make a move to country NSW. The site will also host listings to country jobs available in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT, and Legal Aid NSW.

Chief Executive Officer of Legal Aid NSW Monique Hitter said Careers in the Country will be a valuable tool to recruit solicitors who want to make a real difference in areas of high legal need.

“The Law Society’s regional jobs board complements Legal Aid NSW’s existing strategies to attract solicitors to the country. Our Criminal Law Regional Graduate Program is providing early career lawyers with intensive training in the city, before a 12–18-month placement in one of our regional offices across country NSW,” Ms Hitter said.

“Participants in this program undertake complex work on behalf of the most vulnerable clients in our communities. Given Legal Aid NSW’s continuing reliance on dedicated private solicitors, especially in the regions, we look forward to Careers in the Country helping to improve access to justice in these areas.”

Dubbo-based President of the Orana Law Society Jennifer Spear said new legal talent can bring real benefits to local communities.

“I join the enthusiasm for Careers in the Country with my colleagues in Regional Law Societies from across country NSW. Solicitor newcomers will not only bring fresh perspectives to their new workplaces but will also add to the vitality and diversity of their new communities,” Ms Spear said.