COMMERCIAL LAWYER / ASSOCIATE

ADD Equity & Co; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

ADD Equity & Co in Melbourne CBD is seeking a Commercial Lawyer with approximately 2–5 years post-admission experience to join our boutique practice. The role offers direct client exposure, a collaborative environment and opportunities to develop expertise across commercial contracts and property matters.

You will draft, review and negotiate agreements, advise on governance and disputes, and progressively take on greater responsibility under senior guidance.

Qualifications

• Admitted Australian legal practitioner holding, or eligible to hold, an appropriate Victorian practising certificate.
• 2–5 years PAE in commercial law, property law or related practice; capability and potential important.
• Experience drafting and reviewing commercial agreements; interest in advanced drafting skills.
• Strong foundations in contract law and understanding of contractual obligations and risks.
• Proactive problem-solving approach, willing to explore options and provide practical solutions.
• Good written and verbal communication, attention to detail, ability to manage work with guidance.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts, deeds and related documents.
• Translate client instructions into clear contractual obligations and practical arrangements with guidance.
• Identify drafting issues and risks, discuss options and propose solutions.
• Provide practical advice on commercial and business matters, including governance and disputes.
• Draft and review related documents, including employment agreements, contractor arrangements, workplace policies and other business agreements.
• Assist with and take responsibility for business acquisitions/disposals and shareholder arrangements.
• Assist with and manage commercial, industrial and residential property matters, including leases and development transactions.
• Draft and review property agreements, including contracts of sale, leases, licenses.
• Manage tasks with support, track deadlines and provide updates to clients.
• Communicate with clients to understand objectives and obtain instructions with senior support.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Problem solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Job description

An opportunity is available for a Commercial Lawyer with approximately 2–5 years post-admission experience (PAE) to join an established boutique commercial law firm in Melbourne CBD. Exceptional candidates outside this range will also be considered.

The firm advises a diverse range of business, corporate and property clients, offering varied work across commercial agreements, business transactions, property matters and general commercial advisory services.

The ideal candidate will be motivated, commercially minded and enjoy solving problems, contributing practical ideas and working collaboratively with experienced senior practitioners. The role offers direct client exposure, supportive guidance and opportunities to further develop technical expertise and progressively take on greater responsibility.

Key responsibilities

Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts, deeds and related documents, including opportunities to develop tailored agreements and provisions beyond standard precedents.

Translate client instructions and agreed commercial terms into clear contractual obligations, protections and practical arrangements for implementation, with guidance from senior practitioners where appropriate.

Identify drafting issues and potential risks, discuss available options and contribute practical solutions.

Provide practical advice on a variety of commercial and business matters, which may include workplace arrangements, regulatory questions, governance and contractual disputes.

Draft and review related documents, including employment agreements, contractor arrangements, workplace policies and other business agreements, with guidance as needed.

Assist with, and progressively take responsibility for, business acquisitions and disposals, shareholder arrangements and other commercial transactions.

Assist with, and progressively manage, commercial, industrial and residential property matters, including acquisitions, disposals, leasing and development-related transactions.

Draft and review property agreements, including contracts of sale, commercial leases, agreements for lease, licences and related documents, with appropriate guidance.

Manage allocated tasks and matters with appropriate support, keep track of deadlines and build confidence in anticipating next steps.

Communicate with clients to understand objectives, obtain instructions and provide updates, with senior practitioner support where appropriate.

About you

Admitted Australian legal practitioner holding, or eligible to hold, an appropriate Victorian practising certificate.

Ideally 2–5 years PAE in commercial law, property law or a related practice; relevant capability and potential are more important than a rigid experience threshold.

Experience drafting and reviewing commercial agreements, with an interest in developing more advanced drafting skills.

Sound foundations in contract law and an understanding of common contractual obligations and risks.

A proactive approach to problem‑solving, including a willingness to explore options, ask questions and suggest practical solutions.

Good written and verbal communication, attention to detail and the ability to manage allocated work with appropriate guidance.

Familiarity with commercial or property law principles and transaction processes, and the judgment to seek guidance when needed.

An interest in developing broader knowledge of corporate, trust and financing structures and how they relate to commercial transactions.

About the role

An opportunity is available for a Commercial Lawyer with approximately 2–5 years post-admission experience (PAE) to join an established boutique commercial law firm in Melbourne CBD. Exceptional candidates outside this range will also be considered.

The firm advises a diverse range of business, corporate and property clients, offering varied work across commercial agreements, business transactions, property matters and general commercial advisory services.

The ideal candidate will be motivated, commercially minded and enjoy solving problems, contributing practical ideas and working collaboratively with experienced senior practitioners. The role offers direct client exposure, supportive guidance and opportunities to further develop technical expertise and progressively take on greater responsibility.

Key responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate commercial contracts, deeds and related documents, including opportunities to develop tailored agreements and provisions beyond standard precedents.

• Translate client instructions and agreed commercial terms into clear contractual obligations, protections and practical arrangements for implementation, with guidance from senior practitioners where appropriate.

• Identify drafting issues and potential risks, discuss available options and contribute practical solutions.

• Provide practical advice on a variety of commercial and business matters, which may include workplace arrangements, regulatory questions, governance and contractual disputes.

• Draft and review related documents, including employment agreements, contractor arrangements, workplace policies and other business agreements, with guidance as needed.

• Assist with, and progressively take responsibility for, business acquisitions and disposals, shareholder arrangements and other commercial transactions.

• Assist with, and progressively manage, commercial, industrial and residential property matters, including acquisitions, disposals, leasing and development‑related transactions.

• Draft and review property agreements, including contracts of sale, commercial leases, agreements for lease, licences and related documents, with appropriate guidance.

• Manage allocated tasks and matters with appropriate support, keep track of deadlines and build confidence in anticipating next steps.

• Communicate with clients to understand objectives, obtain instructions and provide updates, with senior practitioner support where appropriate.

About you

• Admitted Australian legal practitioner holding, or eligible to hold, an appropriate Victorian practising certificate.

• Ideally 2–5 years PAE in commercial law, property law or a related practice; relevant capability and potential are more important than a rigid experience threshold.

• Experience drafting and reviewing commercial agreements, with an interest in developing more advanced drafting skills.

• Sound foundations in contract law and an understanding of common contractual obligations and risks.

• A proactive approach to problem‑solving, including a willingness to explore options, ask questions and suggest practical solutions.

• Good written and verbal communication, attention to detail and the ability to manage allocated work with appropriate guidance.

• Familiarity with commercial or property law principles and transaction processes, and the judgment to seek guidance when needed.

• An interest in developing broader knowledge of corporate, trust and financing structures and how they relate to commercial transactions.