Insurance Senior Associate / Special Counsel (Employment Practices Liability)

Barry.Nillson Lawyers; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 190,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Barry Nilsson is seeking a Senior Associate or Special Counsel to join our Employment Practices Liability (EPL) team in Melbourne. The role invites an ambitious, detail‑oriented lawyer who excels at client service and collaboration.

You will conduct front‑end advisory work and back‑end litigation across workplace law, advise insurers, insureds and direct clients, and contribute to mentoring while helping draft enterprise agreements and related employment contracts.

Qualifications

• 5+ years PAE in employment law, with exposure to EPL.
• Strong client relationship skills with a track record of delivering outcomes.
• Mentoring mindset and collaborative approach to work.

Responsibilities

• Front-end advisory and back-end litigation across workplace law.
• Acting for insurers, insureds and direct clients.
• Advising on employment-related claims including unfair dismissal, general protections, harassment and discrimination.
• Attending conciliation conferences and appearances in Federal Court of Australia, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Fair Work Commission and relevant tribunals.
• Advising clients on terms and conditions (enterprise agreements, modern awards and other entitlements).
• Reviewing and drafting enterprise agreements, settlement agreements, contracts of employment and policies.

Skills

Employment Law

Insurance Matters

Client Relationship Skills

Mentoring

Job description

About Us

Welcome to Barry Nilsson. For 60 years, we’ve been shaping a better experience for our clients and our people. What sets our firm apart is not just what we do, but who we are: a team known for its collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence, inclusion, and innovation. As an award-winning national law firm, we’ve built a culture that empowers you to not only grow your career, but be your authentic self while you do it.

About the Team

Our national Insurance & Health practice combines deep industry knowledge with local expertise and the highest standards of client service. Our team of more than 300 specialist lawyers has the depth of experience and agility to help our clients, both in Australia and overseas, to navigate the complex risk landscape and support their insureds.

The Role

Due to continued growth, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Associate or Special Counsel to join our Employment Practices Liability (EPL) team in Melbourne. This position requires an enthusiastic and driven professional with strong attention to detail and a focus on client service for a broad range of supportive clients. There will also be the potential to work on a broader range of financial lines matters.

Some of the work you will be undertaking will involve:

• front end advisory and back-end litigation work covering the full spectrum of the workplace law including employment and industrial matters;
• combination of acting for insurers, insureds and direct clients;
• advising and representing clients in respect to employment related claims, including but not limited to unfair dismissal, general protections, sexual harassment and discrimination;
• attending conciliation conferences and appearing in the Federal Court of Australia, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Fair Work Commission and as relevant State and Federal tribunals;
• advising clients on employment terms and conditions (including enterprise agreements, modern awards and other legislative entitlements);
• advising clients on performance management; and
• reviewing and drafting enterprise agreements, settlement agreements, contracts of employment and policies and procedures.
  

About You

If the following sounds like you, we would love to hear from you:

• you are an experienced senior practitioner (5+ years PAE) in the employment law space and ideally have exposure to insurance matters/EPL;
• you enjoy building client relationships and achieving excellent outcomes;
• you remember what it was like being a junior practitioner and understand the importance of mentoring, and are happy to pass on your expertise and knowledge; and
• you are a problem-solver who values collaboration and understands the importance of strong working relationships.
  

Benefits of Working with Us

Just to name a few, we have:

• been acknowledged as an ‘Employer of Choice’ for the last 7 years;
• supportive environment where managers genuinely care about your wellbeing;
• opportunities for structured mentorship and continuous professional development;
• progressive policies for flexible working arrangements including a 9.5-day fortnight, working from home, purchase of leave options and a public holiday swap policy;
• an annual performance bonus scheme designed to recognise and reward strong performance;
• a relaxed office environment where you can “Dress for your Day”;
• access to our Health & Wellbeing program, BNWell, which supports the mental, physical and financial wellbeing of our people including a yearly health & wellbeing allowance and a health & wellbeing leave day;
• a shared care parental policy with equal leave for all parents; and
• support to undertake pro bono legal work, secondments, volunteering and industry appointments.
  

Ready to Go Further?

From your first day, expect to be embraced for who you are – because we’re a firm defined by our people. Step into a workplace where individuality is celebrated, ambitions are realised, and collaboration drives success. At Barry Nilsson, it’s about being you and going further.

Barry Nilsson is committed to building a diverse, inclusive and flexible workplace where all of our people are supported to be their authentic selves, valued for their unique contributions, rewarded fairly, connected to colleagues, and empowered to achieve their full potential. We welcome applications from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+, as well as people of all ages, genders, abilities and cultures. Feel free to chat to the recruiter for this position regarding any accommodations or adjustments you may require to the role or the recruitment process to ensure your equitable participation.

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