Graduate Lawyer (Cronulla)

Southern Waters Legal; Sutherland Shire Council; On-site; AUD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite gym

Beachside office

Wellness program

Mentorship by senior solicitors

Free counselling sessions (3/year)

Birthday day off

Parking and easy public transport

Job summary

Southern Waters Legal is seeking a graduate lawyer to join our Cronulla beachside office. This boutique firm offers exposure to specialised solicitors and a supportive team of experienced legal secretaries, with collaboration across levels from graduates to Managing Partners.

We welcome admitted graduates and students due to graduate this year, and invite you to indicate your preferred area of interest—business/wills & estates or family law—when applying.

Qualifications

• An admitted graduate, or a university student due to graduate at the end of this year
• Genuine interest in family law and/or wills, estates and commercial law
• Initiative and enthusiasm
• A confident, professional manner
• Ability to work to tight deadlines
• Excellent communication and organisation skills
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn

Responsibilities

• Assist in wills and estate planning and corporate/commercial matters
• Support family law matters including parenting arrangements and property settlements
• Draft documents and liaise with clients under supervision
• Attend client meetings and assist with case preparation as needed

Skills

Admitted graduate

Graduate student (due to graduate)

Interest in family/wills/estates

Initiative

Professional communication

Deadline-driven

Organisation

Positive attitude

Education

Law degree

Admitted graduate solicitor

Job description

Our award-winning Cronulla beachside office is seeking an enthusiastic and hard-working graduate lawyer to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity to build your career in a boutique firm, working alongside specialised solicitors and an outstanding team of experienced legal secretaries. You’ll be part of a genuinely collaborative environment, with exposure to solicitors at every level - from graduates and junior lawyers through to Senior Associates, Accredited Specialists and our Managing Partners.

We welcome applications from admitted graduates, as well as university students due to graduate at the end of this year.

Opportunities in two of our teams - our business team (wills & estates and corporate & commercial law) and our family law team. Tell us in your application which area interests you most.

Our teams

Our business team works across estate planning and commercial law, giving you broad exposure to both private client and corporate work. As a graduate in this team, you'll be exposed to:

• Wills and complex estate planning, including testamentary trusts
• Incapacity planning
• Succession planning for companies and trusts
• Probate and estate administration
• Business structuring advice and commercial contracts

You’ll work closely with our team, building technical skills across a genuinely varied practice area.

Family Law team

Our family law team handles complex, high-quality matters from the initial client meeting through to resolution and court appearances. As a graduate in this team, you’ll be exposed to:

• Parenting arrangements
• Property settlements
• Child support
• Mediations and court appearances

You’ll receive ongoing mentorship from our team, including guidance from our award-winning Accredited Specialist and Managing Partner of the Family Law team.

About you

• An admitted graduate, or a university student due to graduate at the end of this year
• Genuine interest in family law and/or wills, estates and commercial law
• Initiative and enthusiasm
• A confident, professional manner
• Ability to work to tight deadlines
• Excellent communication and organisation skills
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn

Why Southern Waters

We’re a supportive, team-focused firm that genuinely invests in our people professionally, financially and personally.

Exposure to senior solicitors’ files and attendance of initial client meetings early on

Increasing file ownership and autonomy as your confidence and experience grow

We cover the cost of your professional registration, including your practising certificate, once admitted

Nomination for graduate/early-career industry awards

Team & culture

• Support from a team of specialised solicitors, experienced legal secretaries and a growing team of talented graduates and paralegals.
• An annual team planning day, monthly team meetings, and solicitor-only sessions to stay aligned as a team and up to date on current legislative developments in your practice area
• Regular social events and peer-nominated recognition for the team
• Community focused firm with regular involvement in community events and fundraising initiatives
• A business-wide shutdown over the Christmas/New Year period, so the whole team can switch off together
• A beachside office location with onsite gym, pool and sauna
• Wellness initiatives including weekly team beachside walks and annual Shredtember PT sessions
• Partnered with an Employee Assistance Program providing free access to 3 x counselling sessions per year
• Bonus day off if your birthday falls on a workday
• Onsite parking and convenient public transport options nearby
• Office hours: 8.30am - 5.30pm with a 1 hour lunch break

Values

We live and work by our values and our successful culture is built on -

• Can-Do Attitude, and

Ready to take the next step?

We’re always looking for talented, passionate people to join Southern Waters. We offer a supportive environment where you can grow your career while making a real difference for our clients.

Please note, we may call you to discuss your application further. Only shortlisted applications will be invited to interview.