Property Litigation Lawyer

HarperLloyd Recruitment; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HarperLloyd Recruitment is seeking a lawyer for a specialist disputes practice focusing on strata, property and building litigation. You will gain hands-on exposure to NCAT, court proceedings, advocacy, and complex dispute strategy, with direct access to senior litigators.

Ideal candidates have 2–4 years' PAE with strata experience or a strong commercial/property litigator looking to develop a specialist career in this area, in a lean boutique environment.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years' post-admission experience in litigation.
• Strata litigation experience, or a genuine interest in specialising in strata.
• Experience in commercial, property or construction litigation will be considered.
• Strong drafting and legal research capability.
• Ability to manage matters with increasing autonomy.

Responsibilities

• Work across strata, property and building disputes.
• Assist with NCAT proceedings and court litigation.
• Support strategy, evidence, drafting and advocacy.
• Develop client relationships and meaningful matter ownership.

Skills

Strata litigation

Litigation experience

Drafting & research

Advocacy

Client management

Commercial litigation

Job description

Join a highly regarded specialist disputes practice and build genuine expertise across strata, property and building litigation with direct access to experienced senior litigators.

Why this opportunity?

• Develop a true specialisation in strata and property litigation within a firm where this work is a core focus
• Gain hands-on exposure to NCAT, court proceedings, advocacy, evidence and complex dispute strategy
• Work in a lean boutique environment with direct Partner access, meaningful client contact and genuine matter ownership

This opportunity is ideally suited to a lawyer with approximately 2-4 years' PAE who already has strata litigation experience, or a strong commercial, property or construction litigator looking to develop a specialist career in this area.

About the role

You will work across a broad range of strata, property and building disputes, including:

• Owners corporation and lot owner disputes
• Common property repair and maintenance claims
• Building defect and water ingress disputes
• By-law enforcement
• Levies and cost recovery
• Access and common property rights
• Property damage matters
• Building and construction litigation
• Contractual disputes connected with property
• NCAT proceedings
• Supreme, District and Local Court litigation
• Appeals
• Mediation and settlement negotiations

You will have increasing day-to-day carriage of matters and work closely with senior lawyers on strategy, evidence, drafting, advocacy and client management.

About you

You will ideally have:

• 2-4 years' post-admission experience in litigation
• Strata litigation experience, or a genuine interest in specialising in strata
• Experience in commercial litigation, property disputes or construction litigation will also be strongly considered
• Strong drafting and legal research capability
• Experience preparing pleadings, affidavits, submissions and advice
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Confidence communicating directly with clients
• A practical and commercial approach to dispute resolution
• An interest in advocacy and appearing in NCAT or court proceedings
• The ability to manage matters with increasing autonomy

The firm is particularly open to good litigators who may not yet be strata specialists but want to move into the area.

What you can expect

• Genuine strata and property litigation specialisation
• Direct access to experienced Partners and senior litigators
• Strong exposure to NCAT and court proceedings
• Opportunity to develop solicitor advocacy skills
• Meaningful matter ownership
• Direct client relationships
• Exposure to building defect, property and broader commercial disputes
• Lean team structures with fewer layers of hierarchy
• Strong technical mentoring
• Opportunities to contribute to articles, podcasts and broader thought leadership
• A collaborative boutique environment focused on practical client outcomes

This role will particularly appeal to a litigator who wants to become known for something rather than remain a generalist, while still developing the core skills of a strong commercial disputes lawyer.