By Caity Suchanow -
Working in the government sector can present many unique opportunities. Executive Councillor on the NSW Young Lawyers Executive Council and prosecution officer at the Australian Taxation Office, Caity Suchanow shares her unique insights into what it's like to work in the government.
A job in the government sector offers a front-row seat to witness how decisions are made, how legislation is applied, and how public policy directly affects communities. The work is varied, and it really shows you all sides of the die. One day you might be presenting a case in court advocating for fair and public interest outcomes, and the next day you might be reviewing how a legal framework should be applied to ensure transparent government action. On the odd occasion, you might even be presented with opportunities to strengthen accountability by assisting with Senate estimates. Government law work is incredibly varied and often operates at the intersection of law and policy.
A legal career in government draws on a range of different skills, but it can provide many exciting opportunities to grow and strengthen skills too. Every day is different and challenging but it is also deeply rewarding.
As a prosecution officer, I mainly prosecute criminal matters. I appear in local courts across the state and help the government meet their commitment to the Australian community. I also work to ensure that the government can meet their objectives, for instance tax compliance. It’s a great opportunity getting courtroom experience early on in my career. Regular court appearances can help early career lawyers become familiar with court systems.
For students considering a career in government, there are many ways to get started. One of the best ways is to explore graduate programs. Government agencies typically have graduate programs for those who have graduated within the last few years. These programs provide structured training and exposure to a wide variety of legal work, and they are a great way to start developing crucial skills early.
If a graduate program isn’t for you, but you are still eager to build a career serving the Australian public, there are many different roles that young lawyers can really flourish in such as policy, mediation, legal interpretation and so forth. These roles are found in all levels and departments of government – no one legal career in government is the same. Volunteering with community legal centres, student advocacy programs, or even being involved in NSW Young Lawyers is another great way to gain hands-on experience and develop practical skills that will support you throughout your career.
My own path to a legal career was not typical. I was diagnosed with Epilepsy which presented some big challenges for me and I could not finish high school. I later completed a university pathways program which opened the door to a law degree. I worked full time while studying and graduated in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. The experience taught me resilience and perseverance. My decision to study law was driven by a passion for human rights which was sparked by reading about the Holocaust and Nuremberg trials. I had a desire to help and a desire to promote justice and accountability. That same passion ultimately drew me to government law, where I could work at the intersection of law and policy to make a tangible difference for the community. From there, I landed a graduate role with a federal government agency through one of their graduate programs. The process was competitive and lengthy, but it has paid off immensely. A role in government has provided me with a wide range of experiences, professional growth, and flexibility, as well as insight into how law and policy intersect in government work. I hadn’t envisioned my legal career taking the path that it has but since becoming a government lawyer I have been provided with many opportunities in my first few years which I might not have encountered had I followed the traditional career path into law.
Advocacy is at the heart of what I do. I encourage students to take every chance to build confidence in this area. Mooting, oral presentations, and debating are great ways to practice constructing persuasive arguments and thinking on your feet. Leadership and community involvement are important too. Committee roles helped me develop collaboration, drafting, and prioritisation skills while also building a professional network.
One message I would like to share with students is: there is no single path to becoming a lawyer. Every experience, whether smooth or full of twists, builds skills, confidence, and perspective. Embrace opportunities and challenges because they shape you into the kind of lawyer who can make a real difference in the public service.
