Associate/Senior Associate - Construction Law

Kelly Gordine; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Gordine is seeking a Construction Lawyer (3-6 PQE) in Australia with strong back-end construction experience and exposure to front-end work. You will work on premium Australian and international projects within a collaborative, growth-focused team.

The role offers significant client contact, responsibility from early on, and opportunities to work across Asia Pacific with occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Experience in construction law at international or top-tier firms preferred.
• Strong back-end construction expertise is essential.
• Some front-end exposure is advantageous.
• Ability to work autonomously and take ownership of matters.
• Excellent academics and technical ability.

Responsibilities

• Handle premium front-end construction projects and related negotiations.
• Involve in back-end construction matters and disputes.
• Engage with clients directly and manage risk and advisory work.
• Collaborate across jurisdictions within the Asia Pacific region.

Skills

Construction law

Back-end construction

Front-end construction

Autonomy

Client engagement

Job description

Major Projects, Infrastructure & Construction | Australia & Asia Pacific

We've spent time with the partners leading this practice and came away genuinely excited about what they're building.

This is a rare opportunity to join a globally recognised construction, infrastructure and projects team that is investing heavily in Australia. Backed by one of the world's largest international law firms, the team has a clear mandate to significantly expand its Asia Pacific presence, with ambitions to double in size in Australia over the next two years.

For an ambitious construction lawyer, that creates something increasingly hard to find in the current market: the platform, quality of work and international reach of an elite global firm, combined with the visibility, responsibility and progression opportunities typically associated with a much smaller practice.

We're looking for a Construction Lawyer (3-6 PQE) with strong back-end construction experience. Lawyers with a mix of front-end and back-end experience will also be viewed very favourably.

The Team

The role sits within a growing practice led by three highly regarded partners whose collective experience spans Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Middle East and Europe.

The team advises on some of the most significant infrastructure, energy and development projects across Australia and the wider Asia Pacific region, while also handling complex construction disputes, international arbitrations and major project litigation.

What particularly impressed us was how genuinely integrated the practice is across jurisdictions. Lawyers collaborate across borders every day and associates regularly work with colleagues and clients throughout Asia Pacific and beyond.

The partners are all excellent people as well as being exceptional lawyers, so we think culturally this would a great place to work.

The Work

The practice offers a blend of premium Australian and international work across both contentious and non-contentious construction matters.

Front-End Construction & Projects

You'll have the opportunity to work on:

• Energy transition and renewable energy projects
• Major transport infrastructure projects
• Airport developments across Australia and New Zealand
• PPP and government infrastructure projects
• Urban development and precinct projects
• Major hospitality and mixed-use developments
• Cross-border infrastructure projects throughout Asia Pacific

Back-End Construction & Disputes

You'll also be involved in:

• International arbitrations
• Major construction and infrastructure disputes
• Security of payment and adjudication matters
• Federal Court and superior court proceedings
• Contractor and subcontractor disputes
• Delay, disruption and defective works claims
• High-value project advisory and risk management work

The team's primary focus remains Australian work, but there is an increasingly strong flow of matters from Hong Kong, Singapore and the broader Asia Pacific region, creating genuine opportunities for international experience without leaving Australia.

Why This Role Stands Out

Be a part of their growth

The Australian practice has strong support from the firm's overseas offices and a clear mandate to expand.

For lawyers who are ambitious and commercially minded, this creates a genuine opportunity to help build something rather than simply inherit an established structure. As the team grows, career progression opportunities are expected to emerge much faster than they typically would within more mature practices.

Exceptional exposure

One thing that became very clear from our discussions with the partners is that they want lawyers who will be visible.

You’ll work closely with senior partners, enjoy meaningful client contact and be trusted with responsibility from an early stage. This is not a heavily leveraged team where associates spend years operating behind the scenes.

International work and travel

The practice operates as a regional team.

You’ll have opportunities to work on matters across Hong Kong, Singapore, North Asia and South East Asia, with occasional travel and regular collaboration with colleagues throughout the international network.

High-Calibre work without a pure billing culture

Perhaps one of the most refreshing aspects of this opportunity is the firm's approach to utilisation.

The team recognises that it is currently in growth mode and has adopted a pragmatic approach to targets. The focus is on building market presence, developing client relationships and investing in people rather than creating pressure around rigid billing expectations.

Collegiate culture

The associates across the broader regional group work closely together, regularly collaborate across offices and make a genuine effort to stay connected as a team.

It's an environment that combines international sophistication with a surprisingly down-to-earth and supportive culture.

About you

We’re interested in speaking with lawyers who:

• Have approximately 3-6 years’ PQE (Senior Associates will also be considered)
• Have strong construction law experience
• Bring solid back-end construction expertise
• Ideally have some exposure to front-end work
• Can work autonomously and take ownership of matters
• Have strong academics and technical ability
• Are ambitious and excited by growth opportunities
• Enjoy direct client engagement and responsibility

Lawyers from international firms, top-tier and national firms, as well as high-quality specialist construction boutiques, are encouraged to apply.

The Opportunity

Quite simply, this is the chance to join a premium international construction practice at a point where growth, opportunity and high-quality work are all aligning.

If you’re looking for greater responsibility, genuine international exposure, direct partner access and a faster track to progression, we’d be delighted to tell you more about what we learned from meeting the partners and understanding their plans for the team.

If you’d like to find out more feel free to drop me an email: [e-mail]