Associate / Senior Associate - Family Law

Hooker & Heijden; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Autonomy and file ownership

Job summary

Hooker & Heijden is seeking a Family Lawyer at Associate or Senior Associate level in Melbourne. You will manage a varied family law caseload with support from experienced principals, and gain genuine ownership of files from early on.

The role offers autonomy, exposure to parenting, property and family violence matters, and potential mentorship of junior staff. Flexible working arrangements are considered, and candidates at Special Counsel level are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Admitted to practice in Victoria with solid post-admission experience in family law (3+ years for Associate, 5+ years for Senior Associate, more for Special Counsel)
• Strong knowledge across parenting, property and family violence matters
• Confident running your own file load with supervision
• Excellent communication and genuine empathy in client-facing matters
• Collaborative, team-first attitude suited to a close-knit firm culture
• Experience with family violence/intervention order matters highly regarded
• Contested matters are briefed to Barristers

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied family law caseload with strong support from principals
• Have input into how matters are run
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to business development
• Take on greater file ownership and client relationship management

Skills

Autonomy

Communication

Empathy

Mentoring

Teamwork

Client relationships

Education

Admitted to practice in Victoria

Job description

Family Lawyer - Associate / Senior Associate (Special Counsel considered)

Melbourne

Location: Melbourne Practice Area: Family Law Level: Associate or Senior Associate - exceptional candidates at Special Counsel level are also encouraged to apply

About the Firm

Our client is a well-established, boutique law firm based in Melbourne with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, client-focused family law services. The firm has built a loyal client base over many years through a genuinely personal approach to what is often a difficult and emotional area of law, combined with strong technical expertise.

The team is small and close-knit, which means new lawyers are given real client contact and genuine ownership of their files from early on, rather than being buried in someone else's matters. It's a firm that prides itself on a supportive, collegiate culture, sensible workloads, and a practical, no-nonsense approach to legal practice - you won't find layers of unnecessary bureaucracy here.

While family law is the core of the practice, the firm also offers complementary services in wills and estates and property law, giving lawyers exposure to a broader range of work should they want it, and a genuinely full-service client experience.

About the Role

This is an excellent opportunity for a family lawyer looking for genuine autonomy, quality work, and a firm that will invest in their long-term career. You'll manage a varied family law caseload with strong support from experienced principals, and have real input into how matters are run.

Typical matters will include:

Separation and divorce

Property and financial settlements

Parenting arrangements and child custody matters

Family violence matters, including intervention order proceedings

Some exposure to child protection matters

Depending on your level of experience, you may also have the opportunity to mentor junior staff, contribute to business development, and take on greater file ownership and client relationship management.

About You

Admitted to practice in Victoria, with solid post-admission experience in family law (typically 3+ years for Associate level, 5+ years for Senior Associate, and more extensive experience for Special Counsel candidates)

Strong technical family law knowledge across parenting, property, and family violence matters

Confident running your own file load with appropriate supervision

Excellent communication skills and genuine empathy - this firm's clients are often going through one of the hardest periods of their lives

A collaborative, team-first attitude that fits a close-knit firm culture

Prior experience with family violence/intervention order matters highly regarded

Contested matters are briefed to Barristers.

What's on Offer

Competitive remuneration, commensurate with experience

Genuine autonomy and file ownership from day one

Supportive, down-to-earth team culture with sensible workloads

A firm that values long-term careers over short-term billables

Exposure to complementary practice areas for those who want to broaden their skill set

Flexible working arrangements considered