Practice Administrator - Disputes

Clayton Utz; Sydney; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Clayton Utz in Sydney is seeking an experienced legal secretary to join our market-leading Disputes team as a Practice Administrator on a full-time, permanent basis. You will provide exceptional administrative and secretarial support to Partners and their teams, with a focus on supporting the dynamic Disputes practice.

As a PA, you will help ensure smooth operations, collaborate across practice groups and business support teams, manage timesheets, billing, client liaison, and events, while

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a legal secretarial role supporting Partners or C‑level executives.
• Ability to show initiative and take responsibility for daily management tasks.
• A positive, friendly, solutions and team‑focused mindset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A flexible and collaborative approach to working with different stakeholders.
• An organised, efficient approach to administrative tasks with the ability to prioritise to meet deadlines.
• Experience with billing processes, including using Aderant / CMS or similar financial software.
• Intermediate level skills with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Working closely with partners and lawyers to support with general admin, client management, the management of systems, timesheets and other ad hoc tasks to deliver exceptional service to our clients.
• General accounts, reporting and monthly billing including client liaison.
• Coordinating with clients, counsel, consultants and internal CU teams.
• Preparation of presentations, documents and similar.
• File and matter management, including conflict checking, matter opening and closing.
• Actively managing telephones, email, electronic diaries and voicemail for the Partners and team members.
• Organising meetings and travel.
• Supporting our Clients and Markets team with events coordination and general business development initiatives.

Skills

Legal secretarial

Initiative and responsibility

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Billing processes

Tools

Aderant / CMS

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

We are seeking an experienced legal secretary to join our market‑leading Disputes team in Sydney as a Practice Administrator (PA) on a full‑time, permanent basis. In this role, you will provide exceptional administrative and secretarial support to Partners Alex Rose, Sheena McKie, and their teams, with a particular focus on supporting the dynamic and fast‑paced Disputes practice.

As a PA at Clayton Utz, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of the team, delivering high‑quality support to both our legal professionals and valued clients. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do, and you will have the opportunity to work closely not only within the Disputes team but also across other practice groups and business support teams to achieve shared goals.

We pride ourselves on fostering a friendly, inclusive, and positive team culture, where your contributions are valued, and your professional growth is supported. At Clayton Utz, we are committed to offering a flexible and rewarding workplace environment that empowers our people to thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Working closely with partners and lawyers to support with general admin, client management, the management of systems, timesheets and other ad hoc tasks to deliver exceptional service to our clients.
• General accounts, reporting and monthly billing including client liaison.
• Coordinating with clients, counsel, consultants and internal CU teams.
• Preparation of presentations, documents and similar.
• File and matter management, including conflict checking, matter opening and closing.
• Actively managing telephones, email, electronic diaries and voicemail for the Partners and team members.
• Organising meetings and travel.
• Supporting our Clients and Markets team with events coordination and general business development initiatives.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a legal secretarial role supporting Partners or C‑level executives.
• Ability to show initiative and take responsibility for daily management tasks.
• A positive, friendly, solutions and team‑focused mindset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A flexible and collaborative approach to working with different stakeholders and their unique styles.
• An organised, efficient approach to administrative tasks with the ability to effectively prioritise to meet deadlines.
• Experience with billing processes, including using Aderant / CMS or similar financial software.
• Intermediate level skills with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Why Clayton Utz?

At Clayton Utz, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace where our people can thrive. Joining our Disputes team means becoming part of a collaborative and high‑performing group that values excellence, innovation, and client service.

Our culture has been built by innovative thinkers. They are the driving force behind our firm, and if you choose to be part of the team your expectations will be challenged every step of the way. As part of this innovative team you will be working across major national, government, and global clients. All the while collaborating with some of the sharpest legal minds in the industry.

Clayton Utz has also been a powerful force in Australian pro bono practice, striving to deliver justice for those who need it and not just those who can afford it. In your time here you’ll be constantly surprised by the projects you get to work on and what you can accomplish.

We’re looking for individuals who will thrive under our spirit of independence. Built around independent thinkers we believe surrounding ourselves with dynamic, ambitious and collaborative individuals is key to creating an environment of success. In return we're committed to fostering a career path that's unique to each individual. Imagine what you could achieve at a top law firm that actually values independent thinking. Are you up for the challenge? We are committed to an inclusive culture in which all of our people are recognised for their unique contributions and are encouraged and supported to achieve their full potential.

Accessibility and Inclusion

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier‑free recruitment process. Do you require any support or reasonable adjustments to complete your application? If so, please contact the recruiter via the above telephone number or via email to [e-mail].

For more information on Clayton Utz, please visit www.claytonutz.com or follow us on LinkedIn here.

Learn more Pro bono is a fundamental part of Clayton Utz. Learn more The traditional legal career path is evolving. By consulting with us you can expand your experience, develop your skill set and work on a variety of assignments with top‑tier organisations in a range of sectors.