Associate, Projects and Construction

Allens; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Parental leave 26 weeks

Employee wellbeing program

International secondments

Job summary

Allens, Sydney-based law firm, seeks an Associate for the Projects team to handle construction and infrastructure matters across contentious and non-contentious work. You will advise on disputes, draft project documents and support business development initiatives, working with a collaborative, high-performing team.

You will contribute to client relationships, develop others, and participate in cross-border opportunities through the international alliance and secondments.

Qualifications

• Experience in front-end and back-end construction matters at a well-regarded firm.
• A track record in managing smaller matters and contributing to larger matters.
• Interest in client development and building professional networks.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute and defend proceedings and adjudication applications on construction/infrastructure projects.
• Handle claims and disputes during the contract phase of major projects.
• Draft key project documents and participate in ADR processes including mediation.

Skills

Construction law

Client relationship skills

Mentoring

Business development

Education

Qualify law degree (Australia)

Tools

Dispute resolution

Job description

Your role

We are looking for a talented and motivated Associate to join our Projects team in Sydney. This is a fantastic opportunity for a lawyer interested in working in a collaborative and high performing team across both the litigious and non-litigious sides of construction and infrastructure work. We are particularly interested in hearing from lawyers with construction or infrastructure experience, or an interest in developing a career spanning project delivery and disputes.

As part of the team, you will play an important role delivering client work on market-leading projects and disputes, while working closely with Leighton to identify and win new work opportunities. The key features of this role are the challenging work you will experience, the variety of matters you can expect to get involved in and the broad range of clients and people you will work with.

Your role will typically include advising on:

• Prosecuting and defending formal proceedings and adjudication applications arising from construction and infrastructure projects.
• Claims and disputes arising during the contract phase of major projects.
• Key project documents on major infrastructure and energy projects; and
• Various alternative dispute resolution processes including mediation and conciliation.

This is a permanent, full-time opportunity. Hybrid working (60% in the office) is how we work however flexibility matters at Allens, so if you are seeking hybrid working or are looking for flexibility in your work, we would be happy to discuss what arrangements would work best for you.

About You

• Experience in front-end and back-end construction matters at a well-regarded international or Australian firm, with broader projects and infrastructure experience also welcomed.
• An ability to work independently and effectively manage smaller matters and elements of larger matters.
• A strong team ethic, this aspect of our culture is of key importance to us.
• A willingness to develop others through mentoring and sharing experiences and networks.
• An interest in building an understanding of clients and developing effective working relationships with clients.
• A willingness to participate in business development activities, such as pitch documents, firm-wide pursuits, attending industry events and hosting seminars.
• An ability to establish a professional profile and internal networks.

Your development

In joining Allens, you will receive unparalleled learning and development opportunities. You will be challenged, supported and guided as you learn and develop, and will be encouraged to grow. We foster greatness, and will coach and support you to meet your goals and aspirations.

Our unique Career Deal allows you to take control of your career and provides a transparent approach to career development. Our international alliance with Linklaters means we are able to support secondments all over the world.

Our perks

• Financial: market competitive fixed remuneration; generous incentive plan that recognises both billable and broader contribution, employee recruitment referral program, discounts at hundreds of suppliers including retail outlets, health and travel insurance, charity matched funding program.
• Health and wellbeing: fully subsidised gym memberships, annual flu vaccinations, skin checks, in-house snacks and catered meals, subsidised sporting and social activities, Employee Assistance Program including confidential counselling, wellbeing coaching and financial coaching for employees and their families and regular wellbeing sessions with our in-house consulting Psychologist.
• Flexibility: hybrid and flexible working arrangements to support you in your work and life commitments and passions, equipment to support working from home.
• Leave: ability to purchase additional annual leave, access to an enhanced, inclusive and flexible parental leave policy – 26 weeks paid parental leave with no minimum service for permanent employees and high quality executive coaching to support the transition.
• International opportunities: our alliance with Linklaters ensures possible secondments to many of their overseas offices.
• Recognition: team based recognition including social activities and contribution based recognition activities, and annual Allens Values Awards to nominate and recognise the incredible contributions of our people.

Allens is also proud to invest in our communities, giving you the opportunity to make a difference through our work on reconciliation, the environment and other social justice issues as well as our workplace giving and volunteering programs.

At Allens, our culture is made up of unique backgrounds and varying life experiences. We celebrate our people's differences across gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, cultural backgrounds, First Nations communities, and family and caring arrangements.