Environment & Planning Lawyer | Associate - Senior Associate | Sydney CBD

Gorilla Jobs; Sydney; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary + super

Mentoring by Specialists

Court advocacy exposure

Sydney CBD office

Clear career path

Employer of Choice

Award-winning culture

Specialists in Planning Law

Full-cycle E&P practice

Job summary

Gorilla Jobs is seeking a NSW-admitted solicitor to join a leading Sydney CBD Planning, Environment and Government practice. You will work on development applications, planning strategy, and environment matters from day one.

Two NSW Law Society Accredited Specialists mentor you; the role offers exposure to Land and Environment Court advocacy, diverse matters, and a clear pathway for specialist development within a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Admission as a NSW solicitor.
• 2+ years PAE in planning, environment or development law.
• Experience in Land and Environment Court or state planning tribunal preferred.
• Strong drafting and client communication skills.
• Genuine interest in built environment, development or sustainability.
• Accredited Specialist (or working towards) is highly regarded but not required.

Responsibilities

• Work across a wide range of planning and environment matters.
• Prepare development applications, approvals, and strategy under the EP&A Act.
• Handle development and enforcement appeals in the Land and Environment Court (all Classes).
• Assist with compulsory acquisition, resumption, and valuation matters.
• Oversee environmental compliance, enforcement, and due diligence.
• Cover heritage, biodiversity, and planning agreements.
• Provide local government regulatory advice and dispute resolution.
• Advise on rezoning and land use strategy.

Skills

Strong drafting

Client communication

Education

NSW solicitor admission

Job description

Benefits

• Salary $130,000–$160,000 + super, with additional performance bonuses
• Direct mentoring from two NSW Law Society Accredited Specialists
• Genuine Land and Environment Court advocacy exposure from day one
• Modern, beautifully appointed Sydney CBD office — collaborative open workspace, private areas, and team facilities
• Clear career pathway with a firm that recognises and rewards specialist development
• Inclusive, supportive team culture in a firm with Employer of Choice recognition
• Award-winning culture, modern Sydney CBD office & genuine mentoring
• Work directly with two NSW Law Society Accredited Specialists in Planning Law
• Full-cycle E&P practice ,DA approvals, Land & Environment Court advocacy,

About our client

Our client is a well-regarded Sydney CBD law firm with a dedicated Planning, Environment and Government practice. The team is led by two NSW Law Society Accredited Specialists with dual qualifications spanning both law and town planning — a genuinely rare combination that gives the team a practical, client-first approach to complex development and environment matters.

Recognised in Best Lawyers Australia and as an Employer of Choice, the firm has a strong track record for developing lawyers into confident, specialist practitioners. The E&P practice covers the full development lifecycle: from development assessment and approval strategy through to contested Land and Environment Court proceedings, compulsory acquisition, rezoning, and environmental compliance.

The role

You will work across a wide range of planning and environment matters, including:

• Development applications, approvals, and planning strategy under the EP&A Act
• Development and enforcement appeals in the Land and Environment Court (all Classes)
• Compulsory acquisition, resumption, and valuation law
• Environmental compliance, enforcement, and contaminated land due diligence
• Heritage, biodiversity, and planning agreements
• Local government regulatory advice and dispute resolution
• Rezoning, existing use rights, and land use strategy advice

Requirements

• Admission as a solicitor in NSW
• 2 years' or more PAE in planning, environment, or development law
• Experience in the Land and Environment Court or a state planning tribunal (preferred)
• Strong drafting and client communication skills
• A genuine interest in the built environment, development, or sustainability
• Accredited Specialist (or working towards) is highly regarded but not required