THE AUSTRALIAN Government Solicitor (AGS), while operating in a “highly competitive environment”, is still a relatively low pressure place to work, AGS’s national practice manager (corporate), John Scala, told Lawyers Weekly this week.

The AGS became a separate business enterprise from the Attorney-General’s Department in 1999, since which time the organisation has been forced to time record, bill in six-minute units, and chase each piece of work via tender, competing against the top private practices in the country.

Yet it retains its own individual cultural identity, not as pressured as many firms, said Scala. Among other differences, he cited the belief among AGS lawyers that their workplace isn’t as hierarchical as others.

“Although I know some private firms work as a team, too, the history of the associate versus senior associate levels in the firm probably creates a kind of cultural divide. I think in that sense the AGS has a more collegiate atmosphere,” he was quoted as saying.

See ‘Doing something for the country’ on page 20.

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