Associate or Senior Associate

Hall & Wilcox; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid & flexible work

WFH equipment reimbursement

26 weeks parental leave

Free breakfast

Learning & career development

Diversity & wellbeing

Hallstar reward program

Office social events

Job summary

Hall & Wilcox in Sydney is seeking an Associate or junior Senior Associate for its Dispute Resolution - Public Law team. Work alongside Partners on complex, high-profile matters within a collaborative environment.

The role offers exposure to government-facing matters across NSW and Commonwealth agencies, with opportunities to advance in a growing practice and benefit from a supportive team culture and flexible work options.

Qualifications

• 2–6 years post-admission experience in administrative/public law and litigation.
• Experience advising Commonwealth and/or NSW Government agencies/departments.
• Experience representing NSW Police Force is highly regarded.
• Strong drafting and communication skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent negotiation skills and an interest in advocacy.
• Ability to manage a busy workload with competing timelines.

Responsibilities

• Represent various state and Commonwealth Government agencies and departments.
• Independently run subpoena objections and provide courtroom advocacy across NSW Courts and Tribunals.
• Respond to Standing Order 52 requests and related procedures.
• Contribute to a range of administrative and public law, judicial review, and complex litigation matters.

Skills

Public law litigation

Legal drafting

Negotiation

Communication

Education

Legal qualification (PAE 2-6 years)

Job description

• Permanent full-time position, to be based in Sydney
• Our HW Evolve approach includes hybrid and flexible working. WFH and from modern, open plan offices. We will provide you with WFH IT equipment plus reimbursement of up to $500 for additional equipment
• Competitive remuneration and our Hallstar reward and recognition program
• Learning and career development programs for all roles and levels
• Flexible leave options, including up to 26 weeks paid parental leave
• Free daily breakfast and office social events
• Genuine commitment to diversity, inclusion and wellbeing, and pro bono and community

Make the smarter choice. Come thrive with us. Learn more about what Hall & Wilcox can offer you: bit.ly/HWbenefits

About the role and team

We have a rare opportunity for an experienced Associate or junior Senior Associate to join our growing Dispute Resolution - Public Law team in Sydney, working alongside highly regarded Partners and lawyers on complex and high-profile matters.

This role is suited to a lawyer with public law litigation experience who is looking to take the next step in their career, working closely with a Special Counsel in a growing practice and a supportive and collaborative environment.

As a firm appointed to the Whole of Australian Government Legal Services Panel across five substantive areas, and to both NSW and Victorian State Government panels, we offer access to a strong pipeline of government work. Our team brings deep experience advising Commonwealth and State Government clients and a strong understanding of the public sector.

You will sit within our national Dispute Resolution section of approximately 115 team members. We provide the full range of legal services to public sector clients, combining deep expertise with a commercial perspective, and leveraging our firm’s very established strengths across insurance and commercial law.

The successful candidate will be involved in a range of public law litigation matters, including:

• representing various state and Commonwealth Government agencies and departments;
• independently running subpoena objections, including courtroom advocacy throughout all Courts and Tribunals across NSW;
• responding to Standing Order 52 requests; and
• a variety of other administrative law, public law, judicial review matters and complex litigation.

About you

You will ideally have the following skills and experience:

• between 2 and 6 years of post-admission experience (PAE) in administrative / public law and litigation;
• experience advising Commonwealth and/or NSW Government agencies / departments;
• experience representing the NSW Police Force will be highly regarded;
• strong communication and drafting skills, with outstanding attention to detail;
• excellent negotiation skills and an interest in advocacy;
• the ability to confidently run matters through dispute resolution processes; and
• the ability to handle a busy workload with competing timelines.

About us

At Hall & Wilcox, we deliver outstanding legal services to corporate, public sector and private clients, both Australian-based and those offshore doing business in Australia. Our purpose is to enable our clients, our people and our communities to thrive.

We do great work, smarter. We’re passionate about the work we do and how it creates value for today and tomorrow. We’re known for Smarter Law: smarter thinking to create smarter solutions. We embrace innovative thinking and technology. We listen. We partner. We solve.

We are also known for having a great culture that values people and that lives our purpose and values - our Hallmarks.

Hall & Wilcox is a successful independent Australian law firm; a place to belong, with the freedom to learn and grow. We thrive together. We are diverse and inclusive - everyone is welcome and respected. We encourage applications from candidates of all cultural backgrounds (including First Nations), abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.

Hear from our people about what it’s like to thrive at Hall & Wilcox: bit.ly/HWpeople

To learn more about Hall & Wilcox visit our website.

We are committed to supporting candidates with disability so that every candidate is offered a fair, equitable and supportive recruitment experience. If you require any adjustments or support to complete your application, or if you have any questions, please contact Alison Daly-Thomson, Talent Acquisition Manager, at [e-mail] for a confidential discussion.