Graduate Lawyer - Wills & Estates (Litigation and Planning)

Collaw; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Dormer Stanhope Lawyers is seeking a motivated Graduate Lawyer to join the Wills & Estates team in Sydney. The role offers direct client contact and hands-on experience in contentious estate matters from day one.

You will work on family provision claims, probate disputes, and related litigation under direct supervision, developing practical skills while specialising in succession law at a boutique firm.

Qualifications

• Law degree with strong academic results in Succession/Estates Law subjects (essential)
• Admission to practise in NSW (or eligibility for immediate admission)
• Keen interest in equity and succession law and a genuine desire to specialise in this area
• Superior analytical thinking and legal research capabilities
• Exceptional written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence when dealing with bereaved clients
• Meticulous attention to detail and organisational abilities
• Initiative and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Responsibilities

• Develop expertise in family provision claims, contested probate applications, and will disputes
• Draft high-quality legal documents and correspondence
• Conduct insightful legal research on succession law
• Interview witnesses and draft comprehensive affidavits
• Brief and liaise with counsel
• Support clients through emotionally challenging estate disputes
• Provide strategic advice to executors, administrators and beneficiaries on deceased estate administration
• Collaborate within our team of experienced legal professionals

Skills

Legal research

Analytical thinking

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Law degree

Job description

About Dormer Stanhope

Dormer Stanhope Lawyers is a boutique firm renowned for excellence in Succession Law. Led by our director Justeen Dormer, who brings over 27 years of legal experience, including her tenure as Senior Associate at a top-tier firm, we have established ourselves as respected experts in this specialised field.

Our firm combines the expertise of larger practices with the personalised approach of a boutique environment. We foster a collaborative culture that provides junior lawyers with meaningful work on complex matters under the direct guidance of experienced practitioners, offering an unparalleled learning environment.

The Role

We seek an ambitious Graduate Lawyer with a demonstrated interest in Succession Law to join our growing Wills & Estates team. This exceptional opportunity will provide you with direct client contact and hands-on experience in contentious estate matters from day one.

This is not just another graduate role – you will be integral to our litigation practice, developing practical skills while building your expertise in this fascinating and complex area of law.

Key Responsibilities

As a Wills & Estates lawyer, you will:

• Develop expertise in family provision claims, contested probate applications, and will disputes
  • Draft high-quality legal documents and correspondence
  • Conduct insightful legal research on succession law
  • Interview witnesses and draft comprehensive affidavits
  • Brief and liaise with counsel
  • Support clients through emotionally challenging estate disputes
  • Provide strategic advice to executors, administrators and beneficiaries on deceased estate administration
• Collaborate within our team of experienced legal professionals
• Participate in professional development programs, seminars, conferences and practice updates
• Develop your professional network within the succession law community

What Sets You Apart

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Law degree with strong academic results in Succession/Estates Law subjects (essential)
• Admission to practise in NSW (or eligibility for immediate admission)
• Keen interest in equity and succession law and a genuine desire to specialise in this area
• Superior analytical thinking and legal research capabilities
• Exceptional written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence when dealing with bereaved clients
• Meticulous attention to detail and organisational abilities
• Initiative and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Candidates who have completed practical legal training in wills and estates firms or undertaken relevant PLT placements will be highly regarded.

Why Join Our Team?

At Dormer Stanhope, we offer:

• Highly competitive salary equivalent to mid to top-tier firms
• In-house learning & development opportunities
• Support to attend workshops, seminars, and conferences
• Mentoring and training in a friendly, supportive team
• Regular staff social events