Insurance (Property/Construction) - Associate

Mills Oakley; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dress for your day

Discounted health insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Gyms and studios discounts

Study and exam leave

Competitive referral bonus

Other amazing perks!

Job summary

Mills Oakley is expanding its Sydney Insurance team and seeks an Associate with 4–5 years PQE to join a supportive, collaborative culture. The role covers complex insurance litigation, including property and construction disputes, indemnity and coverage matters, and high‑value recoveries.

You will work with leading Insurance lawyers, handling a mix of advisory and litigation work, and develop technical, strategic, and commercial judgment across disputes in the Local to Federal Courts.

Qualifications

• 4–5 years’ post-admission experience in insurance litigation or related practice.
• Ability to handle complex disputes with minimal supervision.
• Comfort with court proceedings and client communications.

Responsibilities

• Manage own matters within a team on larger disputes.
• Review evidence and provide clear liability/indemnity analyses.
• Draft pleadings and court documents; communicate with clients and stakeholders.
• Prepare for and appear in Court, including online processes.
• Support settlement discussions, mediations and commercial resolutions.

Skills

Insurance litigation

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Court appearances

Job description

Insurance (Property/Construction) - Associate

Our Sydney Insurance team is growing and we are seeking an Associate with between 4-5 years' PQE to join a fun and supportive team environment.

About Us

Mills Oakley is a leading national law firm with a proud history spanning more than 160 years. In that time, we have grown into a Top 5 Australian law firm by size while remaining true to our shared vision of exceptional client service and a friendly, collaborative culture. Mutual trust and respect are at the heart of everything we do.

The Role

An excellent career opportunity has arisen for an Associate to join our Insurance team in Sydney.

The role involves complex and varied insurance litigation and advisory work, including property and construction disputes, indemnity and coverage matters, high-value property recoveries, professional indemnity claims and general insurance litigation.

Our team has been acknowledged for its leading position in the Australian market, working with most of the major insurers in Australia. In this role you will be working with Insurance lawyers who are independently recognised as experts in their field.

Responsibilities will include:

• Managing your own matters while working as part of a team on larger and more complex disputes;
  
• Reviewing evidence and preparing advice on liability, causation, indemnity, quantum and strategy;
  
• Analysing complex factual and technical evidence, identifying evidentiary issues and working closely with expert witnesses;
  
• Drafting pleadings, evidence and other court documents;
  
• Drafting substantive correspondence and communicating directly with clients, other practitioners and stakeholders;
  
• Preparing for and appearing in Court, including managing interlocutory and online court processes;
  
• Briefing and working closely with counsel; and
  
• Participating in settlement strategy, mediations and the commercial resolution of disputes.

Who We Are Looking For

Our practice is growing and we are looking for someone keen to expand their expertise and progress their career within a fun and supportive team environment.

The ideal candidate will have approximately 4 to 5 years’ post-admission experience in insurance litigation, commercial litigation, construction disputes or a related practice.

You will be a lawyer who enjoys getting into the detail of a matter, can analyse evidence critically and is comfortable forming and communicating a view. You will demonstrate initiative, sound judgment, strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritise competing demands.

You will be able to manage smaller matters with minimal supervision in the Local and District Court and will be happy to work as part of a team on larger matters in the District, Supreme and Federal Courts.

We are particularly interested in someone who wants to develop beyond simply progressing files and build the technical, strategic and commercial judgment required to take increasing ownership of complex insurance matters.

What We Offer

We take a collaborative approach to your learning & development, giving you the personal attention and unique opportunities required to help you realise your full potential. We are committed to your health and well-being and offer a multitude of employee benefits including:

• Dress for your day;
• Discounted health insurance;
• Employee Assistance Program;
• Discounts to gyms and studios across Australia;
• Study and exam leave;
• Competitive referral bonus; and
• Other amazing perks!