Senior Associate - Environment & Planning

Senior Associate - Environment & Planning; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Norton Rose Fulbright in Brisbane is seeking a Senior Associate to join the Environment & Planning practice. The role involves litigation, advice and transaction work on planning and environmental law, including approvals, prosecutions and due diligence.

The successful candidate will have 5+ years PQE and strong drafting and communication skills, with a collaborative culture. Join a leading team that serves major corporate clients and government, offering career progression and a dynamic,

Qualifications

• 5+ years PQE in Environment & Planning practice.
• Experience on environmental approvals and prosecutions.
• Strong environmental law knowledge across sectors.
• Experience in proceedings in Planning and Environment Court, Magistrates Court and District Court.
• Strong time management and organisational skills.
• Excellent drafting and communication skills.
• Strong academic achievements.

Responsibilities

• Engaged in litigation, advice and transaction work on planning and environmental law.
• Handle planning approvals and appeals, major project approvals.
• Advise on contaminated land, waste management and environmental prosecutions.
• Contribute to due diligence in oil & gas and mining sectors, renewable energy projects.
• Assist in incident response and investigations and enforcement matters.

Skills

PQE 5+ years

Environmental approvals

Environmental law

Proceedings experience

Time management

Drafting skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor of Laws

Job description

Norton Rose Fulbright | Brisbane

Closing date: 19/11/2026

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global legal practice. We provide the world’s pre‑eminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 4000 lawyers based in over 58 offices across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

The Norton Rose Fulbright Environment & Planning practice group is recognised as one of the leading teams in Australia and demand on our services has created an opportunity for a Senior Associate to join the Brisbane team reporting into Julieane Materu and Jacqueline Plant.

The Norton Rose Fulbright Environment & Planning team acts for major corporate clients, developers, infrastructure providers, industry and government. You will be engaged in a mix of litigation, advice and transaction work focussed on planning and environmental law issues. This may include planning approvals and appeals, major project approvals, contaminated land and waste management, planning agreements, land acquisition, advice and due diligence in the oil & gas and mining sectors, renewable energy projects, incident response & investigations, and environmental prosecutions and enforcement.

To be considered for this role you will ideally have;

• 5+ years PQE gained within a reputable Environment & Planning practice


• Previous experience on matters involving environmental approvals and prosecutions


• Good experience with environmental law issues across a range of sectors


• Experience in the conduct of proceedings relating to environmental or planning matters, including the Planning and Environment Court, Magistrates Court and District Court


• Strong time management & organisational skills with the capacity to manage multiple projects and conflicting priorities simultaneously


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including strong drafting skills


• Strong academic achievements

The successful candidate will need to be an energetic, driven and focused individual. At Norton Rose Fulbright, you will be rewarded with genuine career prospects and an excellent team environment renowned for its collaborative culture, passion for client service and professional development opportunities. Remuneration will be commensurate with relevant experience.

Norton Rose Fulbright values diversity and strives to create an inclusive environment. We are proud that Norton Rose Fulbright in Australia has been recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) as well as a gold tier employer for LGBTI Inclusion through the Australian Workplace Equality Index. In 2025 we were re‑accredited as a Family Inclusive Workplace and always encourage people to discuss flexible and hybrid work options with us.

We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

Please be aware in the course of routine work some of our lawyers and teams can be exposed to details of trauma. The firm has controls in place including educational and psychological support. Our talent team can provide further details.