Associate - Workplace Relations & Safety - Adelaide

HWL Ebsworth Lawyers Pty Ltd.; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career progression

Flexible 3:2 schedule

Adelaide CBD office

Networking platform

National platform exposure

Job summary

HWL Ebsworth Lawyers Pty Ltd. invites an Associate to join its national Workplace Relations & Safety team in Adelaide.

You will advise large and medium corporate clients, insurers, government and statutory authorities, with direct exposure to high-profile litigation and advisory work across industrial relations, safety and related matters. You will work with the Practice Group Head and Board Members, in a busy, growing practice that collaborates with Corporate & Commercial on diverse matters.

Qualifications

• 2+ years post admission experience.
• Experience handling contentious and non-contentious employment matters.
• Strong interest in workplace relations and safety law.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Support Workplace Relations and Safety Partners on employment matters.
• Maintain relationships with key clients.
• Provide assessments and advice to clients and internal teams.

Skills

Employment law

Workplace relations

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Job description

• Highly regarded Workplace Relations & Safety practice, offering exposure to diverse matters and clients, and recognised in the Doyle’s Guide rankings
• A true meritocracy model - be promoted by your contribution and not held back by outdated structures
• Generous leave policies including purchased, parental and performance reward leave

About us

HWLE is not your typical law firm. Our rapid rise to become the largest legal partnership in Australia shows that in our case, the differences are real. We deliver first class legal advice to our government and commercial clients in every state and territory across Australia. Firm wide, we have over 270 Partners and 1900 people.

The opportunity

We have an opportunity for an Associate to join our highly regarded Workplace Relations & Safety team, advising large and medium corporate clients, insurers, and government and statutory authorities.

You will work closely with Practice Group Head and Board Member Clare Raimondo, and Partner Jessica Nicholls, within a busy and growing practice that undertakes high‑profile, high‑quality litigation and advice work across industrial relations, work health and safety, investigations, discrimination, and other employment matters. The team also collaborates closely with our Corporate & Commercial practice on a range of diverse and engaging transactional matters. This role offers direct client exposure and the opportunity to work alongside colleagues across our national platform.

Our national Workplace Relations & Safety team has been recognised in the 2026 Doyle’s Guide rankings across multiple jurisdictions, reflecting the strength, depth, and consistency of our practice nationwide. Our Adelaide team has been recognised in the 2026 Doyle’s Guide as Recommended for Employment (Employer Representation) practice.

You’ll be busy with

• supporting the Workplace Relations and Safety Partners across a range of employment matters;
• maintaining strong relationships with key clients; and
• providing assessments and advice to clients and internal teams.

To succeed in this role, ideally you’ll have

• 2+ years post admission experience;
• demonstrated experience or appetite to step into running contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including safety, enterprise bargaining, litigation, investigations and general advisory work;
• a strong interest in workplace relations and safety law, together with experience providing employment advice across a range of commercial transactions; and
• excellent problem-solving skills with a high level of attention to detail.

What we offer

• Unrivalled career pathways: Our unique meritocracy model proudly offers our staff career development, promoting talent based solely on merit. Our size, range of experience and competitive pricing model will provide you with everything you need to succeed. Unlike our competitors, our Solicitor to Partner ratio enables greater mentoring and client engagement compared to our competitors. Our 180 day career forecasting sessions provide the platform to fast-track your progression.
• Work-Life Balance: We offer flexible 3:2 work arrangements.
• Location: Our cutting-edge office is conveniently located in the heart of the Adelaide CBD at 83 Pirie amidst a fast-pace, high-networking legal community. Enjoy working in a state-of-the-art office environment with access to modern end of trip facilities.
• Great culture and a huge networking platform: Be part of a firm renowned for its friendly and down-to-earth culture. We also have sports clubs, social club and monthly firmwide drinks.
• Impact: Join a firm consistently ranked at the forefront of the Australian legal market, where your work is recognised nationally.

Applicants must have full working rights in Australia and a valid practising certificate to apply.

HWLE also strongly encourages applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

HWLE strives to create an inclusive environment where our people want and feel comfortable to bring their entire selves to work. Varied perspectives contribute to our collective success so whatever your background, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.