Senior Associate

HarperLloyd Recruitment; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

HarperLloyd Recruitment represents a national law firm seeking a Senior Associate or Special Counsel with strong private M&A and corporate transaction experience. The role involves leading mid-market deals, advising PE sponsors, and coordinating cross-office workstreams across Sydney and Brisbane.

You will draft and negotiate share and asset sale agreements, manage due diligence, and provide pragmatic commercial advice while developing client relationships and leadership capabilities within a

Qualifications

• Significant experience in private M&A, preferably mid-market.
• Exposure to private equity transactions and financial sponsor clients.
• Experience at reputable national or international law firms.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills for share sale/asset sale and shareholders' agreements.
• Experience leading due diligence and coordinating transaction workstreams.
• Ability to provide commercially pragmatic advice and manage client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Advise corporate clients, private equity investors, and sponsors on complex transactions.
• Lead due diligence and coordinate multi-disciplinary workstreams.
• Draft and negotiate share sale and asset sale agreements and related docs.
• Provide strategic, commercial solutions throughout the transaction lifecycle.
• Manage client relationships and supervise junior lawyers as appropriate.
• Support corporate governance and broader advisory matters as needed.

Skills

M&A experience

Due diligence

Negotiation

Client management

Drafting agreements

Leadership

Collaborative

Job description

An outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Corporate M&A Lawyer at Senior Associate or Special Counsel level to join the established Corporate practice of a highly regarded national law firm.

This opportunity will appeal to a commercially minded corporate lawyer seeking sophisticated mid-market transactions, private equity exposure and genuine responsibility within a collaborative and well-resourced national practice.

You will work closely with highly respected Corporate partners, advising an established client base on significant private M&A transactions, corporate restructures and broader commercial advisory matters.

While the Corporate team is based in Brisbane, the role is open to Sydney-based lawyers, offering the opportunity to work across offices as part of an established national practice.

The Opportunity

You will play a key role in advising corporate clients, private equity investors and financial sponsors on complex transactional and advisory matters.

Your work will include:

• Private M&A transactions, including acquisitions and disposals;
• Private equity investments and transactions involving financial sponsors;
• Mid-market corporate transactions;
• Drafting and negotiating share sale and asset sale agreements;
• Shareholders' agreements and joint venture arrangements;
• Corporate restructures and reorganisations;
• Managing legal due diligence processes and coordinating specialist workstreams;
• Drafting and negotiating broader commercial agreements;
• Advising on corporate governance and general corporate matters; and
• Providing strategic, commercially focused advice throughout the transaction lifecycle.

You will have the opportunity to lead transactions and due diligence processes, manage client relationships and take ownership of significant matters, working directly with experienced partners and sophisticated corporate clients.

The role offers genuine scope to contribute to the continued growth of the Corporate practice while further developing your transactional expertise and leadership capabilities.

About You

We are seeking an experienced Senior Associate or Special Counsel with a strong background in private M&A and corporate transactions.

Ideally, you will have:

• Significant experience in private M&A, preferably with a mid-market focus;
• Exposure to private equity transactions and financial sponsor clients;
• Experience gained within a reputable mid-tier, national, international or top-tier law firm;
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills across share sale agreements, asset sale agreements and shareholders' agreements;
• Experience leading due diligence processes and coordinating transaction workstreams;
• The ability to manage transactions and provide commercially pragmatic advice;
• Strong client relationship and stakeholder management skills;
• Excellent technical, analytical and problem-solving capabilities; and
• A collaborative, hands-on approach with a genuine desire to continue developing professionally.

You will be comfortable taking ownership of transactions, working directly with clients and providing practical commercial solutions rather than purely technical legal advice.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

For an experienced Corporate M&A lawyer considering their next move, this opportunity offers an attractive combination of quality transactions, direct partner access and long-term career development.

You can expect:

• Sophisticated private M&A and private equity transactions;
• Exposure to an established corporate client base and financial sponsors;
• Significant responsibility for managing transactions and client relationships;
• Close working relationships with highly experienced Corporate partners;
• The resources and national reach of a leading Australian law firm;
• A collaborative, approachable and commercially focused working environment;
• Genuine opportunities for career development and progression;
• Flexible working arrangements;
• Generous parental leave and study assistance;
• Comprehensive wellbeing initiatives and employee assistance programs; and
• Opportunities to participate in pro bono work and firm-wide social activities.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Senior Associate ready to take on greater responsibility or an established Special Counsel seeking a strong platform for continued career progression.

The position is open to candidates based in Sydney or Brisbane.