For many lawyers, a career in private practice offers variety, intensity, and achievement. From high-stakes litigation to complex advisory work, private law firms are often where strong technical skills are honed and lasting client relationships are built.
But for some experienced lawyers, there comes a time when the pace and demands of private practice no longer align with personal or professional goals.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. And it doesn’t mean stepping away from the law.
A move into government legal practice could be the career shift you didn’t know you needed.
Government Law: A New Chapter, Not a Step Back
A legal career in government no longer carries the same connotation it may have two decades ago. Today, government legal are well recognised for offering their lawyers the chance to work at the forefront of significant matters that shape policy, impact communities, and support the machinery of government.
At Alex Correa Executive, we've worked with many lawyers who have made this move at different life stages—some for lifestyle reasons, some for professional growth, and others simply for a new kind of challenge. And what we've seen is this:
- Many have built deeply rewarding careers in government
- Others have gone on to in-house roles, leveraging their public sector experience
- Some have returned to private practice stronger and with experience that's proven to be more valuable than ever
The idea that moving into government limits your options simply isn’t true anymore. In fact, for many, it opens up new ones.
Why More Lawyers Are Considering Government Legal Roles
Whether it’s for greater work-life balance, meaningful public impact, or long-term career sustainability, many lawyers are now reimagining what success in the law looks like. Here’s why a government role might be worth exploring:
Engaging with Queensland's Transformative Initiatives
Government lawyers are at the forefront of complex, high-profile matters that directly influence public policy and community outcomes across Queensland. This role offers the chance to contribute to significant state initiatives, such as the transition to renewable energy, the development of infrastructure for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and strategies to accommodate the state's anticipated population growth.By stepping into a government legal position, you're not stepping away from challenging work—you're embracing a new level of impact and engagement with projects that shape Queensland's future.
Stability, Structure, and Strategic Growth
Government legal roles offer more than just strong superannuation and generous leave entitlements—they offer security during times of economic uncertainty. For lawyers seeking long-term career sustainability, the public sector provides clear, structured pathways for advancement, including opportunities to progress into senior executive and leadership roles across the broader government sector including state and federal, statutory authorities and government owned corporations. It’s a future-focused environment where your career can grow with purpose and stability.
A Collaborative, Collegiate Culture
One of the most valued aspects of working in government is the opportunity to truly collaborate—to work with your peers, not against them. In many public sector legal teams, the culture is built around mentoring, knowledge-sharing, and collective success, rather than competition for clients, work, or promotions. While many progressive private firms are working hard to foster more supportive environments, competitive cultures still exist—and for some lawyers, this has been a key factor in leaving private practice altogether. In government, your leadership and team development skills are not just welcomed—they’re integral to the way legal teams operate.
Flexibility That’s Truly Supported
Let’s be honest—some lawyers are wired to work long hours, regardless of whether they’re in private practice, in-house, or government. When you love what you do, it often doesn’t feel like work—and that passion can naturally translate into longer days. You’ll absolutely find those lawyers in government too. The key difference? In government, there’s no unspoken expectation that long hours are the norm. With access to flexible arrangements like part-time work, compressed hours, accrued time off and remote working, government roles are structured to support balance—even if you're someone who chooses to go above and beyond.
Purpose-Driven Legal Work
One of the most compelling reasons lawyers move into government is the meaning behind the matters. Whether you're advising a department on legislative reform, managing complex liability claims on behalf of the State, or working through sensitive litigation involving vulnerable community members, your work contributes to outcomes that impact real people and real communities.
Government lawyers are entrusted with high-profile, often precedent-setting matters that influence how Queensland operates—across health, education, infrastructure, energy, environment, and more. This isn’t just intellectually stimulating legal work; it’s public interest law at scale. You’re not just serving a client—you’re helping to uphold good governance, advance policy, and ensure accountability.
For many lawyers, that sense of purpose—knowing their legal skills are being used for something bigger—is what reignites their passion for the profession.
Is a Government Legal Career Right for You?
It might be, if you:
- Are seeking a role that aligns with your values, lifestyle, and long-term goals
- Enjoy mentoring, collaborating, and contributing to the success of a team
- Want to use your legal skills to support public interest and policy reform
- Are ready to reimagine what success in law looks like—for you, not just the profession
For many lawyers, a move into government has been not just a career change, but a career revival. Whether you're looking for stability, impact, or a fresh challenge, a government legal role isn’t a step back—it’s a strategic and rewarding move forward.
Current Opportunities at Crown Law
Right now, we’re recruiting several Assistant Crown Solicitor roles for the Government Insurance & Risk team at Crown Law, the Queensland Government’s in-house legal practice.
If you’re an experienced litigator ready to lead high-impact work with the support and balance you’ve been looking for, this could be your next move.
We’ll also be sharing some exciting updates in the coming weeks on new senior opportunities within administrative law and constitutional law—so if these are areas of interest, now is a great time to reach out and start the conversation.
Let’s Talk About What’s Next
Whether you’re actively looking or just beginning to explore your options, we’re here to support your next chapter—whatever that may be.
Related Articles
