Associate/Senior Associate (3-5 PQE)

Dentons Canada; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equitable salary packaging

Salary sacrifice and novated leases

Five days Bonus Leave per year

Job summary

Dentons Australia seeks an Associate or Senior Associate (3–5 years PQE) to join our Employment & Safety practice in Sydney. You will conduct investigations and handle litigation across a broad client base, including matters referred from international offices.

With strong training and development programs, you can expect ongoing professional growth, exposure to high-stakes disputes, and clear pathways for career progression within a global firm.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years PQE in employment law and safety matters.
• Skilled in investigations and litigation, end-to-end matter management.
• Strong drafting, commercial advice, and client relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Handle employment and safety matters for a range of clients.
• Defend claims at tribunals and conduct investigations.
• Collaborate with senior lawyers and contribute to development.

Skills

Employment law

Litigation

Investigations

Client relationships

Job description

Dentons is the world’s largest law firm. We’re 20,000+ people globally across 80+ countries including USA; Europe; India and Asia. We are a global polycentric firm which is expanding rapidly in an increasingly globalised legal industry.

Dentons now consistently ranks as one of the five best regarded legal brands in the world according to the Acritas Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index.

About the Role

Dentons' Employment & Safety practice is a national practice that specialises in a broad range of workplace, employment, and safety matters.

We are seeking an Associate or Senior Associate (3 to 5 years PQE) who is skilled in conducting investigations and litigation, to join our team in Sydney. In this role you can expect to work across a broad range of clients, including clients who are referred to Dentons by our international offices.

You will have the opportunity to be regularly involved in litigation, including defending claims at the FWC, conducting investigations and advising both local and global employers on the full range of issues that can arise during the employment relationship.

With enthusiastic senior lawyers to support your training & development on the job, and through the structured learning and development programs offered internally, there is significant opportunity for ongoing professional development for you to accelerate your career with our team long-term. The opportunity for career progression is open-ended and limited only by your own goals and ambitions.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate sound knowledge of relevant legislation, common law and the best strategy for employers. You will also be expected to:

• run matters end to end;
• exhibit strong drafting and communication skills with a particular emphasis on commerciality and clarity in advice;
• manage client relationships;
• identify risks and issues promptly and raise them with the partner; and
• possess a good sense of judgement along with the ability to make difficult decisions.

Your client engagement talents are essential to work with organisations to anticipate, manage and resolve issues that arise during the workplace lifecycle.

Your impeccable communication skills, ability to establish trust with a range of clients, high regard for quality driven outcomes and 'challenge accepted' growth mindset are necessary traits to enjoy and succeed in this role.

Why Dentons

Dentons Australia offers a wide range of incentives aimed at embracing your authenticity, providing purpose, and strengthening your ongoing development.

We offer:

• Equitable salary packaging, incentive pay and rewards
• Salary continuous insurance (for permanent employees or employees on a 6 month or more maximum term contract basis)
• Salary sacrificing and novated leases
• 5 days Bonus Leave per year after 12 months of service
• Additional leave options
• Equal family leave for all genders (including kinship groups)
• Floating public holidays for days of cultural significance
• Offices designed for collaboration on Gadigal, Naarm, Yuggera, Kaurna and Whadjuk land
• Generous health and wellbeing programs
• Agile and flexible working for all
• Social and diversity networks providing year-round events
• Opportunities to undertake pro-bono legal work

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

Embedded in our people is a passion to help others through the delivery of justice. It is through this that our commitment to inclusion, equity, and reconciliation has evolved. We are proud to say that by design, we have no single headquarters or dominant national culture, this means the unique perspectives, experiences, and identities of our people come together globally under one purpose to create an inclusive and accessible environment where anyone can thrive.

Agency Submissions

Dentons does not accept agency submissions unless the agency is specifically contacted by a member of the Recruitment Team. Please do not forward candidate profiles or resumes to partners, hiring managers or other employees - this will not constitute an introduction to the firm and Dentons will not be liable for a fee.