Interim Litigation Counsel

Consult; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 124,000 - 207,000; Full time

Job summary

Axiom seeks an experienced disputes lawyer to support a global transportation and infrastructure client on a contract basis for an initial three months, with potential extension. The role centers on managing claims and pre-litigation matters arising from a large infrastructure project, with some general commercial work.

The ideal candidate will bring substantial disputes experience in Australia, exposure to construction or transport projects, and the ability to work in-house with a global team

Qualifications

• At least eight years’ post-qualification experience in disputes.
• Experience with expert determination and arbitration.
• Experience working with PPP consortiums and O&M contracts.
• Rail or metro infrastructure experience preferred; broader construction/infrastructure experience also relevant.
• Australian legal qualification is not required, but candidates must be based in Australia.

Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of claims from early strategy through negotiation and settlement.
• Develop dispute strategies and manage arbitration, litigation and expert determination processes.
• Draft, negotiate and advise on O&M contracts, including resolving contractual disputes.
• Advise project teams on dispute risks and options to support favourable outcomes.

Skills

Disputes experience

Litigation management

Arbitration & expert determination

Construction/infrastructure experience

In-house advisory mindset

Tools

Instruct external counsel

Contract drafting & negotiation

Job description

Axiom is seeking an experienced disputes lawyer to support a global transportation and infrastructure client on a contract basis, initially for three months with the possibility of extension. The role will focus on managing claims and pre-litigation matters arising from a large, complex infrastructure project, with some general commercial work.The ideal candidate will have substantial disputes experience in Australia, ideally with exposure to construction, transport or infrastructure projects. This is a great opportunity to work in-house with a global team and advise on complex, high-profile matters.

Responsibilities:

• Lead a portfolio of claims from early strategy through negotiation and settlement, advising on evidence, submissions and practical resolution options.
• Develop dispute strategies and manage expert determination, arbitration and litigation processes, including instructing external counsel and overseeing timelines, submissions and budgets.
• Draft, negotiate and advise on Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contracts, including resolving contractual disputes.
• Advise project teams and other stakeholders on dispute risks, escalation decisions and legal and commercial options to support favourable outcomes

Requirements:

• At least eight years’ post-qualification experience, with substantial experience managing litigation and disputes.
• Demonstrated experience with expert determination and arbitration.
• Essential experience working with PPP consortiums and O&M contracts.
• Rail or metro infrastructure experience is preferred; broader construction or infrastructure experience is also relevant. Australian legal qualification is not required, but candidates must be based in Australia

Why Join Axiom?

• Flexibility:Choose assignments that fit your lifestyle and career goals.
• Professional Growth:Continue to develop your expertise through diverse projects.
• Community:Reconnect with a network of forward-thinking legal professionals.
• Impact:Contribute to impactful work with leading global organizations.

Compensation, Benefits & Location:

This role offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package in the alternative legal services marketplace. Axiomites also get access to professional development resources and learning and development programs. Axiomites predominately work remotely, with the exception that some clients require on-site presence.

Axiom is the global leader in high-calibre, on-demand legal talent. Covering North America, the UK, Europe, and APAC, we enable legal departments to drive efficiency and growth and meet the demands of today’s business landscape with best in breed alterative legal services.

Axiom is a leader in diversity, inclusion, and social engagement. Diversity is core to our values and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are proud to be named a best place to work for LGBTQ+ Equality, earning top marks in the 2021 Corporate Equality Index for the second consecutive year. Axiom’s legal department is Mansfield certified and is committed to considering at least 50% diverse candidates for leadership roles and outside counsel representation.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Axiom ensures equal employment opportunity in recruitment and employment, without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, nationality, national or ethnic origin, religious creed or belief, political opinion, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, age, disability, alienage or citizenship status, marital (or civil or other partnership recognized by law) status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, military service, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Axiom prohibits and will not tolerate any such discrimination or harassment.

Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities:

Upon request and consistent with applicable laws, Axiom will provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities who require an accommodation to participate in each stage of the recruitment process.

Axiom respects your privacy. For an explanation of the kind of information we collect about you and how it is used, our full privacy notice is available at https://www.axiomlaw.com/privacy-notice.

Employment with Axiom may be contingent upon successful completion of a background check, providing proof of identity, and possessing the necessary legal authorization to work.

By submitting an application, you acknowledge that all information contained therein, and provided at any part of the application process, is correct and accurate to the best of your knowledge.