Debt Recovery & Litigation | 1–5 Years PQE | Sydney

Oakbridge Lawyers; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakbridge Lawyers is seeking a Commercial Litigation Lawyer (1–5 years PQE) to join our Sydney office, focusing on debt recovery, enforcement and commercial litigation. You will work closely with senior lawyers and clients across the full lifecycle of matters, from demand to judgment and enforcement.

This role offers hands-on responsibility, regular court exposure and direct client contact, with opportunities to develop advocacy and dispute resolution skills in a supportive team.

Qualifications

• 1–5 years PQE in litigation, dispute resolution, debt recovery, insolvency or commercial law.
• Current NSW Practising Certificate or eligibility.
• Experience managing debt recovery or commercial litigation matters.
• Strong knowledge of court processes and civil litigation procedure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational and file management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Managing defended and undefended debt recovery proceedings.
• Commencing and progressing recovery proceedings across courts and jurisdictions.
• Managing contested commercial recovery matters.
• Preparing statements of claim, affidavits, submissions and other court documents.
• Advising clients on debt recovery strategies, prospects and litigation risk.
• Conducting judgment enforcement and post-judgment recovery proceedings.
• Managing statutory demands and insolvency-related recovery processes.
• Conducting settlement negotiations and negotiating payment arrangements.
• Appearing in court for directions, applications, examinations and other procedural matters.
• Managing disputes involving contractual debts and other commercial claims.
• Reviewing evidence, contracts, invoices, statements of account and other commercial records.
• Briefing barristers where required and preparing matters for hearing.
• Preparing written advice, reports and recommendations for clients.
• Managing litigation deadlines, court timetables and a portfolio of active matters.

Skills

Litigation proficiency

Written advocacy

Legal research

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Commercial judgment

Education

NSW Practising Certificate or eligible

Job description

Debt Recovery & Litigation | 1–5 Years PQE | Sydney

Debt Recovery & Litigation | 1–5 Years PQE | Sydney

Oakbridge Lawyers is seeking an ambitious and capable Commercial Litigation Lawyer (1–5 years PQE) to join our growing Sydney office, with a particular focus on debt recovery, enforcement and commercial litigation.

This role offers the opportunity to work on a substantial portfolio of recovery and enforcement matters for corporate, government and commercial clients, while developing broader commercial litigation experience.

You will work closely with senior lawyers and clients across the full lifecycle of litigation, from initial demand and commencement of proceedings through to defended litigation, judgment, enforcement and negotiated resolution.

This is an ideal opportunity for a lawyer who enjoys litigation and wants genuine responsibility for matters, regular court exposure, direct client contact and the opportunity to develop strong advocacy and commercial dispute resolution skills.

The Role

• Managing defended and undefended debt recovery proceedings
• Commencing and progressing recovery proceedings across relevant courts and jurisdictions
• Managing contested commercial recovery matters
• Preparing statements of claim, affidavits, submissions and other court documents
• Advising clients on debt recovery strategies, prospects and litigation risk
• Conducting judgment enforcement and post-judgment recovery proceedings
• Managing statutory demands and insolvency-related recovery processes
• Conducting settlement negotiations and negotiating payment arrangements
• Appearing in court for directions, applications, examinations and other procedural matters
• Managing disputes involving contractual debts and other commercial claims
• Reviewing evidence, contracts, invoices, statements of account and other commercial records
• Briefing barristers where required and preparing matters for hearing
• Preparing written advice, reports and recommendations for clients
• Managing litigation deadlines, court timetables and a portfolio of active matters

Typical Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Your day may include:

• Reviewing new matters and recommending an appropriate recovery strategy
• Preparing letters of demand and pre-litigation correspondence
• Drafting and filing court proceedings
• Preparing affidavits, pleadings, submissions and evidence
• Reviewing defences and advising clients on prospects and strategy
• Appearing before courts and registrars
• Conducting legal research on commercial, procedural and enforcement issues
• Negotiating settlements and payment arrangements
• Preparing matters for mediation, hearing or other dispute resolution processes
• Progressing matters from judgment through to enforcement
• Liaising directly with corporate and government client representatives
• Briefing counsel and preparing hearing materials
• Managing court deadlines and procedural requirements
• Preparing client reports and strategic recommendations
• Working with debtors, solicitors, barristers, insolvency practitioners and enforcement stakeholders to progress matters

About You

To be successful in this role, you will ideally have:

• A current NSW Practising Certificate or eligibility to obtain one
• 1–5 years PQE in litigation, dispute resolution, debt recovery, insolvency or commercial law
• Experience managing debt recovery or commercial litigation matters
• Strong knowledge of court processes and civil litigation procedure
• Experience preparing pleadings, affidavits and other court documents
• Strong written advocacy, drafting and legal research skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational and file management abilities
• The ability to manage multiple matters, deadlines and competing priorities
• High attention to detail
• Commercial judgment and a practical approach to dispute resolution
• A strong work ethic and willingness to take ownership of matters
• Confidence communicating directly with clients and other stakeholders
• Experience in debt recovery, judgment enforcement, insolvency, creditor claims, contractual disputes or commercial litigation will be highly regarded.
• Court appearance and advocacy experience will also be highly regarded, although we are equally interested in lawyers who are looking for an opportunity to develop these skills.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a lawyer who enjoys the strategic and practical aspects of recovery litigation.

You will be someone who:

• Takes ownership of matters and drives them towards resolution
• Understands that effective debt recovery requires both legal and commercial judgment
• Can identify the most appropriate recovery and enforcement strategy
• Is comfortable managing a portfolio of active litigation matters
• Communicates confidently with clients
• Enjoys advocacy and wants greater court exposure
• Can balance efficient recovery with the commercial objectives of the client
• Takes pride in producing accurate, high-quality work
• Wants to develop into a trusted commercial litigator and adviser

Why Oakbridge Lawyers?

You will have the opportunity to develop genuine litigation, advocacy and enforcement experience, manage your own matters with appropriate supervision, work directly with sophisticated clients and see matters through from initial recovery strategy to final resolution.

The role provides exposure to both high-volume recovery portfolios and more complex defended commercial disputes, giving you the opportunity to build strong technical litigation skills while developing the commercial judgment required to manage recovery matters effectively.

If you are looking for a position offering more responsibility, more advocacy, direct client exposure and a clear pathway to develop your commercial litigation career, we would like to hear from you.