Construction Disputes Associate

Buchanan; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Bonus scheme

26 weeks parental leave

Life insurance

Job summary

Buchanan is seeking a Construction Disputes Associate to join its Melbourne practice amid a strong pipeline of international matters. You will advise major contractors on complex Australian and cross-border disputes within a national construction team.

Key focus areas include energy and transport infrastructure, drafting pleadings and managing multi-workstream matters, with exposure to domestic and international arbitration. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements are available.

Qualifications

• Approximately 2–4 PQE with at least two years' litigation experience.
• Substantive construction disputes experience.
• Practical experience of litigation in Australian courts.
• Strong drafting, written advocacy and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Act on complex construction litigation in Australian courts.
• Advise on major energy, transport and infrastructure disputes.
• Handle delay, disruption, defect, variation and payment claims.
• Work on contractual interpretation and security of payment matters.
• Assist with expert-heavy disputes and complex evidentiary issues.
• Gain exposure to domestic and international arbitration where relevant.
• Draft pleadings, evidence, submissions and strategic correspondence.
• Manage substantive workstreams with appropriate senior supervision.
• Collaborate with construction specialists across the firm’s Australian and international offices.
• Build relationships with contractors, developers and other industry clients.

Skills

Litigation

Construction disputes

Legal drafting

Analytical ability

Client service

Job description

Overview

A leading international law firm is seeking a Construction Disputes Associate to join its Melbourne practice following a strong pipeline of new matters.

Working as part of a national construction team, the successful candidate will advise major international contractors and other industry participants on complex Australian and cross-border disputes. The practice is particularly active in the energy and transport infrastructure sectors.

What You’ll Do

• Act on complex construction litigation in Australian courts.
• Advise on major energy, transport and infrastructure disputes.
• Handle delay, disruption, defect, variation and payment claims.
• Work on contractual interpretation and security of payment matters.
• Assist with expert-heavy disputes and complex evidentiary issues.
• Gain exposure to domestic and international arbitration where relevant.
• Draft pleadings, evidence, submissions and strategic correspondence.
• Manage substantive workstreams with appropriate senior supervision.
• Collaborate with construction specialists across the firm’s Australian and international offices.
• Build relationships with contractors, developers and other industry clients.

About You

• Approximately 2–4PQE, with at least two years’ litigation experience.
• Substantive construction disputes experience comprising most of your current practice.
• Practical experience of litigation in Australian courts.
• Strong drafting, written advocacy and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent analytical ability and confidence handling complex factual records.
• Able to manage multiple workstreams and competing deadlines.
• Commercial, responsive and committed to excellent client service.
• A collaborative approach and genuine interest in building a specialist construction law career.

Broader commercial litigators may be considered where construction disputes form a substantial part of their experience. Arbitration experience is valuable but will not substitute for the required Australian court exposure.

Why Apply?

• Join a highly regarded national and international construction practice.
• Work on significant energy and transport infrastructure disputes.
• Advise major international construction companies.
• Gain meaningful responsibility and direct access to partners and senior lawyers.
• Work across both Australian and cross-border matters.
• Benefit from hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
• Access a transparent bonus scheme and comprehensive professional-development support.
• Receive 26 weeks’ paid parental leave.
• Purchase additional annual leave where required.
• Benefit from life insurance, salary-continuation cover, wellbeing initiatives and confidential employee assistance.

Applications are invited from Australian construction litigators seeking high-quality disputes work and the opportunity to develop within a collaborative international practice.