Employment & Safety Litigation Senior Associate

Law Staff; Brisbane; Hybrid; AUD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & wellbeing program

Gym & insurance benefits

Salary packaging options

Professional development support

Employee referral program

Diversity & inclusion initiatives

Job summary

Law Staff in Brisbane is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to join its Employment & Safety practice. The role targets lawyers with backgrounds in public prosecutions, child safety litigation or state government agencies transitioning to private practice.

You will work with Partners to advise unions, government bodies, employers and individuals across administrative law, criminal and regulatory proceedings, professional discipline and industrial relations, with opportunities to take

Qualifications

• Strong legal analysis and advocacy skills.
• Experience preparing cases, assessing evidence and appearing in contested proceedings.
• Understanding of procedural fairness and administrative decision-making.
• Confidence managing complex matters involving multiple stakeholders.
• Sound judgement and commercial awareness in client-focused matters.

Responsibilities

• Advising and representing unions, government bodies, employers and individuals across administrative law, criminal and regulatory proceedings, professional discipline and industrial relations.
• Handling occupational regulation, professional discipline and tribunal advocacy.
• Managing work health and safety prosecutions, regulatory investigations and workplace safety issues.
• Contributing to broader employment & safety practice initiatives and client relationships.

Skills

Legal analysis

Statutory interpretation

Written advocacy

Case preparation

Evidence assessment

Litigation procedures

Briefing counsel

Procedural fairness

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Client-focused approach

Job description

Associate / Senior Associate Lawyer - Employment & Safety (National Firm)

An established national law firm is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to join its Brisbane Employment & Safety practice. The firm is particularly interested in lawyers from public prosecutions, child safety litigation or state government legal agencies looking to transition into private practice.

Working closely with experienced Partners, you will advise and represent unions, government bodies, employers and individuals across administrative law, criminal and regulatory proceedings, professional discipline and industrial relations.

The team undertakes significant work for a major Queensland education union, including criminal matters involving teachers. With a strong industrial relations practice, this opportunity offers the chance to broaden your expertise, develop direct client relationships and take greater ownership of matters.

The Work
You will be involved in a varied practice spanning:

• Administrative Law & Judicial Review- statutory interpretation, merits and judicial review, procedural fairness and challenges to administrative decisions
• Occupational Regulation & Professional Discipline- disciplinary proceedings, investigations, professional registration and regulatory compliance
• Criminal Law & Procedure- criminal matters involving professional conduct, procedural advice and court appearances
• Tribunal Advocacy & Litigation- QCAT and other tribunal proceedings, preparing evidence, drafting submissions, advising on prospects and developing case strategy
• Industrial Relations & Union Matters- industrial disputes, union representation, enterprise agreements and workplace relations proceedings
• Employment & Workplace Advisory- workplace misconduct, disciplinary matters, employment obligations and complex advisory issues
• Work Health & Safety- WHS prosecutions, regulatory investigations and workplace safety compliance.

An established national law firm is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to join its Brisbane Employment & Safety practice. The firm is particularly interested in lawyers from public prosecutions, child safety litigation or state government legal agencies looking to transition into private practice.

Working closely with experienced Partners, you will advise and represent unions, government bodies, employers and individuals across administrative law, criminal and regulatory proceedings, professional discipline and industrial relations.

The team undertakes significant work for a major Queensland education union, including criminal matters involving teachers. With a strong industrial relations practice, this opportunity offers the chance to broaden your expertise, develop direct client relationships and take greater ownership of matters.

The Work
You will be involved in a varied practice spanning:

• Administrative Law & Judicial Review- statutory interpretation, merits and judicial review, procedural fairness and challenges to administrative decisions
• Occupational Regulation & Professional Discipline- disciplinary proceedings, investigations, professional registration and regulatory compliance
• Criminal Law & Procedure- criminal matters involving professional conduct, procedural advice and court appearances
• Tribunal Advocacy & Litigation- QCAT and other tribunal proceedings, preparing evidence, drafting submissions, advising on prospects and developing case strategy
• Industrial Relations & Union Matters- industrial disputes, union representation, enterprise agreements and workplace relations proceedings
• Employment & Workplace Advisory- workplace misconduct, disciplinary matters, employment obligations and complex advisory issues
• Work Health & Safety- WHS prosecutions, regulatory investigations and workplace safety compliance.

The broader practice also advises on significant workforce restructures and industrial relations strategy for major projects.

About You
You will have 3-8 years PAE, ideally gained within a government prosecution, regulatory or litigation environment.

You will bring:

• Strong legal analysis, statutory interpretation and written advocacy skills
• Experience preparing cases, assessing evidence and appearing in contested proceedings, or briefing counsel
• An understanding of procedural fairness, administrative decision-making and litigation processes
• Confidence managing complex and sensitive matters involving multiple stakeholders
• Sound judgement, commercial awareness and a practical, client-focused approach.

Experience in administrative law, occupational regulation, professional discipline or tribunal advocacy will be particularly well regarded.

Traditional employment law experience is not essential. The priority is a lawyer with strong litigation or prosecution experience and an interest in developing broader expertise within the firm's Employment & Safety practice.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Established National Firm- strong client base, clear career progression pathways and competitive remuneration with annual performance reviews
• Flexible Working- working from home, reduced working days and the ability to purchase additional leave
• Parental Leave- 26 weeks' paid parental leave, with ongoing support for returning parents
• Health & Wellbeing- comprehensive EAP including financial coaching, nutrition and sleep health support, annual flu vaccinations and skin checks
• Gym & Insurance Benefits- fully subsidised gym memberships for legal practitioners, plus health and life insurance discounts
• Salary Packaging- Smart Salary packaging options, including novated leasing
• Professional Development- comprehensive CPD and leadership development programs, full-fee study assistance and additional study leave
• Additional Opportunities- employee referral program, pro bono opportunities and community service leave
• Social & Team Culture- active social program including firm and office events, sporting teams, book clubs and other initiatives
• Diversity & Inclusion- ongoing support of the Australian Disability Network and Diverse Women in Law.

THE PROCESS
We offer flexible interview options, either in person or virtually via FaceTime, Skype, Zoom or phone. Choose between a one-on-one discussion or panel interview, allowing you to present your experience and career goals in the format that suits you best.

Transparency is key, so you will receive a detailed information document by the end of our meeting to review at your leisure.

To arrange a confidential discussion, please click APPLY and upload your Profile.

Alternatively, quote Ref: ES141026 and email your Resume to:
Georgina See - ********@lawstaff.com.au

Not the right fit? Let’s still talk. We regularly work on unadvertised opportunities across private practice and in-house, so connecting now may open the door to future opportunities.

Law Staff | 260 Queen St, Brisbane CBD | (07) 3221 1***
Please note, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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