Corporate Counsel - Transactional Risk

Wolf & Williams; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overseas trips

High-profile deals exposure

Mentoring from senior underwriters

Competitive remuneration package

Development opportunities

Job summary

Wolf & Williams is seeking a lawyer with corporate/M&A experience to draft and negotiate W&I policies for large, complex transactions. You will assess risk across legal, tax and financial domains and manage relationships with brokers and deal parties.

This role offers exposure to high-value deals across jurisdictions, with opportunities for professional development and international experience in a dynamic team environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with corporate/M&A experience.
• Exposure to W&I underwriting, claims or broking is advantageous.
• Strong analytical skills to assess complex risks quickly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Clear drafting and effective negotiation abilities.
• Commercial mindset and collaborative attitude.

Responsibilities

• Assess complex transactions by reviewing due diligence materials and agreements.
• Evaluate risks across legal, tax, financial and operational domains.
• Negotiate policy wording and positions with brokers and clients.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Stay current with market trends in M&A, tax and regulation.
• Monitor portfolios and support claims as they arise.
• Operate in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with rigor.

Skills

Qualified lawyer

Corporate/M&A experience

W&I underwriting exposure

Analytical skills

Drafting and negotiation

Commercial mindset

Collaborative team player

Education

Legal degree

Job description

Our client is a leading global provider of M&A insurance. In this role, you’ll work alongside specialists across multiple disciplines to draft and negotiate W&I policies on large, complex transactions. The position combines legal analysis, risk assessment, policy negotiation and relationship management with brokers and deal parties, giving you direct exposure to high-value deals spanning multiple jurisdictions and sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess complex proposed transactions by reviewing due diligence materials, financial information, share/asset purchase agreements and disclosure schedules
• Evaluate credit, structural, legal, tax, financial and operational risks; review security packages, financial covenants, warranties, indemnities and representations; and advise on risk allocation, coverage terms, exclusions, retentions and pricing
• Negotiate policy wording and commercial positions with brokers, insureds and their advisers under tight timelines
• Build and maintain strong client relationships
• Stay current with market trends, claims experience and developments in M&A, tax and relevant regulatory environments
• Monitor the portfolio and support claims notifications as they arise
• Operate effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while maintaining analytical rigor and attention to detail

About You

This role is designed for lawyers seeking a move into a more diverse and commercially orientated role. We’re looking for candidates with strong corporate, tax, or finance experience.

• Qualified lawyer with experience in corporate/M&A transactions, tax or finance-related work (law firm, in-house, investment banking, private equity, corporate advisory or similar)
• Prior exposure to W&I underwriting, claims or broking (advantageous but not required — strong transferable skills from legal practice are highly valued)
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex legal, commercial and financial risks quickly and accuratelyExcellent written and verbal communication skills
• Clear drafting and effective negotiation skills
• Commercial mindset, intellectual curiosity, and comfort working with incomplete information under time pressure
• Collaborative team player

On Offer

• Multiple overseas trips a year
• Exposure to high-profile M&A transactions
• Supportive team environment with mentoring from experienced underwriters
• Competitive remuneration package and bonus
• Professional development opportunities both within Australia and overseas