Lawyer - Planning and Environment

McCullough Robertson; Sydney; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Diversity program

Education support

Mentoring

Wellbeing program

Barista on site

End-of-trip facilities

Job summary

McCullough Robertson in Sydney is seeking a junior Planning and Environment Lawyer to grow their legal career within a close-knit team. You will work on planning and environmental matters, including regulatory and infrastructure projects, under the guidance of a senior Partner.

You will collaborate with colleagues across Brisbane and Sydney, advise on governance and rating issues for local governments, and help draft and negotiate infrastructure agreements while developing your specialist

Qualifications

• 1 year post- admission experience in planning and environment law.
• Collaborative team player with client-focused mindset.
• Keen to develop a specialist career in planning and environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning and environment matters including appeals.
• Advise on governance and rating issues for local governments.
• Draft and negotiate infrastructure and development agreements.
• Work with Partners and national team across Brisbane and Sydney.

Skills

Planning law

Legal Research

Client communication

Education

LLB

Tools

Case management

Job description

Good people. Good work. Great opportunities.

McCullough Robertson is a commercially focused firm with a proud 100 year history, working with high-calibre national and international clients.We work on big matters in small teams, approaching each day with dedication and professionalism.

We provide exceptional opportunities for our employees to perform, grow and succeed through extensive training and career development.Our teams work together and support one another to achieve individual, team and firm-wide goals.

Backed by a national team of over 400 staff located in Brisbane and Sydney, McCullough Robertson combines a century of experience with a modern, collaborative approach, making us a big firm, without the attitude.

The Team

McCullough Robertson’s Planning and Environment practice is made up of approachable, down to earth specialists who genuinely enjoy working together and solving complex problems for our clients.

From initial planning and feasibility assessments to collaborating with clients and their consultants, the team excels in identifying and resolving complex regulatory, legal, and environmental challenges. Our expertise spans an array of areas, including town planning legal issues, development approvals and appeals, environmental impacts and compliance, infrastructure agreements, regulatory compliance, resumption and compensation and due diligence. We also address critical factors such as land access and tenure, environmental defence, and executive officer liability under relevant legislation.

What sets us apart is not just our technical capability, but our collaborative, supportive and solutions-focused approach. We pride ourselves on our strong reputation for being easy to work with while still delivering outstanding results on complex matters.

The Role

This exciting opportunity offers the chance to grow your legal career as part of our close-knit, Sydney-based team, working closely with a highly regarded Partner and collaborating with our national Planning and Environment team in Brisbane.

Your client portfolio will be high calibre, encompassing State and Local governments, developers, industry, property owners, funds and corporate groups, renewables companies, builders, and financiers.

This role offers broad exposure to an array of planning and environmental matters. You will become involved in appeals and enforcement proceedings in the Planning and Environment Court, advising on planning, environmental, and building matters, drafting and negotiating infrastructure agreements, and advising on governance and rating issues for local governments and health prosecutions. Additionally, you will provide strategic advice on infrastructure planning, charges and agreements, environmental compliance, water and land use rights and approval requirements and pathways.

Experience

We are seeking a junior lawyer, ideally with around 1 year’s post admission experience, who is keen to develop their skills and build a career in Planning and Environment law.

You will also value a supportive and collaborative team environment, thriving on building meaningful relationships with colleagues, sharing insights and contributing to the team’s overall success.

Moreover, you will bring a keen interest in building a successful specialist career in the Planning and Environment space. Eager to embrace new challenges, you will demonstrate a commitment to honing your skills and growing professionally within the firm.

Benefits

At McCullough Robertson, we encourage a balanced work environment. Our teams enjoy having the opportunity to work in a supportive environment while having fun and achieving results.

We offer the following benefits for our employees:

• Dedicated Diversity committee with an innovative program focusing on all areas of diversity and inclusion;
• Attractive further education program and supportive learning and development opportunities throughout your whole career;
• Mentoring and sponsorship opportunities as well as coaching and leadership support;
• Holistic Health and Wellbeing program including subsidised gym membership and active social and sporting committees; and
• Inhouse barista and end-of-trip facilities.

Inclusion and Diversity

We are a leader in diversity and inclusion and are committed to creating an environment where our employees want to come to work.

An award-winning law firm, we have received the prestigious Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation for 15 consecutive years and been recognised as a Gold Tier Small Employer at the 2026 Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Awards.

We're an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.