Associate - Commercial Litigation & Insurance Coverage

GopherWood Lawyers Pty Ltd; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing allowance

Hybrid work model

Job summary

GopherWood Lawyers Pty Ltd, a boutique firm in Sydney, seeks an Associate/Senior Associate for commercial litigation and insurance coverage. You will work directly with the founder on sophisticated disputes, with meaningful court exposure and direct client contact.

You're an Associate with 3–6+ years PQE, ready to move beyond file management, taking ownership and contributing to the firm's growth in an entrepreneurial environment. Hybrid working model offered with career growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• 3–6+ years PQE in commercial litigation or dispute resolution.
• Strong drafting, advocacy and analytical skills.
• Sound commercial judgment and the confidence to take ownership.
• Ability to communicate complex legal issues with clarity and commercial confidence.
• Current Australian practising certificate.

Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse portfolio of commercial litigation matters with increasing autonomy from commencement through to resolution.
• Draft high-quality pleadings, advice and court documents while gaining meaningful advocacy and court exposure.
• Build trusted client relationships, collaborate with and support junior lawyers, and contribute to the continued growth of GopherWood Lawyers.

Skills

Drafting

Advocacy

Analytical skills

Commercial judgment

Communication

Education

Australian legal practising certificate

Job description

Associate / Senior Associate - Commercial Litigation & Insurance Coverage

Big firms build technical capability. Boutique firms build complete litigators.

Our practice develops practice-building litigators who share our values: Strong Foundations. Grow Together. Deliver with Purpose. Beyond the Resolution.

GopherWood is a boutique firm built on the belief that great litigation combines legal rigour with commercial judgment, direct relationships and the courage to do things differently.

Founded by a Partner nominated for both Partner of the Year and Litigator of the Year, we're growing from start up to scale up because clients value straight advice, strategic thinking and lawyers who care about outcomes beyond the courtroom.

If you're ready to step out of the shadow of multiple Partners, endless internal politics and being "resource number 147", keep reading…

The Opportunity

Work directly alongside the firm's founder on sophisticated commercial disputes while progressively taking ownership of your own matters, clients and reputation. You'll focus on developing as a litigator with meaningful exposure to mediations, hearings, court appearances, counsel conferences and client strategy. As GopherWood grows, you'll have a trusted voice in shaping the firm and a clear pathway to accelerate your career.

Who You Are

You're an Associate-level lawyer (3-6+ years PQE) who wants more than file management. You're looking to develop as a trusted litigator through direct client contact, meaningful court exposure and a diverse practice spanning commercial, insurance, construction and financial services disputes. You're ready to step beyond being another cog in a large firm and want responsibility, meaningful advocacy experience and the opportunity to grow alongside an entrepreneurial practice.

What You'll Bring

• 3-6+ years' PQE in commercial litigation or dispute resolution.
• Strong drafting, advocacy and analytical skills.
• Sound commercial judgment and the confidence to take ownership.
• The ability to communicate complex legal issues with clarity and commercial confidence.
• Current Australian practising certificate.

What You'll Be Doing

• Manage a diverse portfolio of commercial litigation matters with increasing autonomy from commencement through to resolution.
• Draft high-quality pleadings, advice and court documents while gaining meaningful advocacy and court exposure.
• Build trusted client relationships, collaborate with and support junior lawyers, and contribute to the continued growth of GopherWood Lawyers.

Why Change Careers & Join GopherWood?

• Accelerate your career-ography with direct Partner mentoring, meaningful court exposure and a personalised growth plan.
• Be rewarded for your contribution through a competitive salary and performance-based bonus structure.
• Work flexibly and sustainably with a hybrid 3:2 model and a health and wellbeing allowance.