Environment & Planning Lawyer

Empire Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Better balance

Direct progression

Mentorship

Job summary

Empire Group seeks an experienced Environment & Planning Lawyer to join our Sydney team. You will manage a sophisticated pipeline of planning matters, provide strategic advice on major developments, and mentor junior lawyers in a collaborative, high-performance culture.

You will work with private developers, government authorities, and ASX-listed clients, handling advisory and litigious work across Class 1–4 proceedings in NSW, with clear progression toward Senior Associate and potentially

Qualifications

• 4–10+ years pae specializing in Planning & Environment Law.
• Extensive experience across both advisory and litigious work.
• Excellent technical drafting, analytical capabilities, and sharp commercial acumen.
• A proactive, client-facing mindset with a passion for guiding junior lawyers.

Responsibilities

• Providing strategic advisory on major project approvals, regulatory frameworks, and complex development contributions.
• Running Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 proceedings in the Land and Environment Court of NSW.
• Interfacing with private developers, ASX-listed corporations, and government authorities on high-stakes infrastructure and mixed-use developments.
• Drafting complex planning agreements and managing negotiations with consent authorities.

Skills

Planning & Environment Law

Advisory and litigious work

Legal drafting

Commercial acumen

Client management

Job description

Environment & Planning Lawyer | High Levels of Autonomy & Responsibility

Why work with empire group?

• Exclusive Roles: Gain access to opportunities not advertised anywhere else.
• Personalised Support: Receive free CV advice, interview coaching and negotiation guidance suited to your career goals.
• Industry Expertise: Work with a team that brings over 175 years of combined Australian legal recruitment experience.
• Privacy: Trust that your information will be treated with the confidentiality that you deserve. Only be put forward to a role with your explicit consent.

About Our Client

Our client is a leading elite law firm. This firm is known for a collaborative, high-performance culture. Due to growth theirhighly respected Environment and Planning practice is looking to recruit an experienced lawyer to join their team.

You will work alongside prominent partners that lead adynamic, down-to-earth team handling a sophisticated pipeline of litigious and advisory matters spanning residential precincts and commercial infrastructure.

The Role

As an experienced lawyer, you will play a pivotal role in managing significant matters, maintaining key client relationships, and mentoring junior team members. Your work will include:

• Providing strategic advisory on major project approvals, regulatory frameworks, and complex development contributions.
• Running Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 proceedings in the Land and Environment Court of NSW.
• Interfacing with private developers, ASX-listed corporations, and government authorities on high-stakes infrastructure and mixed-use developments.
• Drafting complex planning agreements and managing negotiations with consent authorities.

About You

To be successful in this position, you will ideally possess:

• 4–10+ years pae specializing in Planning & Environment Law.
• Extensive experience across both advisory and litigious work.
• Excellent technical drafting, analytical capabilities, and sharp commercial acumen.
• A proactive, client-facing mindset with a passion for guiding junior lawyers.

Benefits & Culture

• Sophisticated Work, Better Balance: Access top-tier work without the rigid bureaucracy or unsustainable hours.
• Direct Progression Path: A highly transparent framework to transition from Senior Associate to Special Counsel/Partner.
• Mentorship: Work 1-on-1 with industry leaders who actively sponsor and champion diverse legal talent.