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

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

Benefits offered by this job

Award-winning culture

Mentoring from specialists

Modern Sydney CBD office

Job summary

Gorilla Jobs Pty Ltd. in Sydney is seeking a solicitor with 2+ years PAE in planning, environment or development law to join our Planning, Environment and Government practice. You will work directly with two NSW Law Society Accredited Specialists on complex development matters.

You will handle development applications, planning strategy, Land and Environment Court appeals, compulsory acquisition and environmental compliance, while developing expertise in a high-profile practice.

Qualifications

• Admission as a solicitor in NSW.
• 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.
• Handle development applications, approvals, and planning strategy under the EP&A Act.
• Manage development and enforcement appeals in the Land and Environment Court (all Classes).
• Handle compulsory acquisition, resumption, and valuation matters.
• Oversee environmental compliance, enforcement, and due diligence.
• Engage in heritage, biodiversity, and planning agreements.
• Provide local government regulatory advice and dispute resolution.

Skills

Drafting

Client communication

Interest in built environment

Education

Admission NSW Solicitor

Job description

• 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

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

Additional information

• 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,