Senior Associate Lawyer

PQE Partners; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity potential

Direct exposure to founders

Autonomy in practice

High-trust environment

Job summary

PQE Partners in Sydney is seeking a Senior Associate to join its expanding commercial litigation and insolvency practice. You will work closely with the firm’s founders, advising clients on a broad range of disputes and driving growth from day one.

The role offers direct exposure to leadership, autonomy on matters, and an equity-growth path as the firm scales. This is a hands-on opportunity for a senior practitioner to shape the practice and client outcomes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ post-admission experience in commercial litigation and/or insolvency.
• Ability to run matters with increasing autonomy, managing priorities.
• Commercial mindset and confident client engagement.
• Strong advocacy and drafting skills.
• Interest in contributing to a growing boutique firm beyond fee-earning.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients across a broad range of disputes, including complex commercial litigation and insolvency matters.
• Manage and oversee matters with increasing autonomy.
• Develop client relationships and originate new matters with partner support.
• Mentor and supervise junior lawyers within the team.
• Collaborate with founders and contribute to the growth of the practice.

Skills

Commercial litigation

Insolvency litigation

Autonomy in case handling

Client relationship building

Mentoring juniors

Job description

Senior Associate – Commercial Litigation & Insolvency

PQE Partners are exclusively representing a growing boutique litigation firm in Sydney, looking to appoint an experienced commercial litigator to join its expanding team.

Having partnered with the firm on several successful hires, including at Senior Associate level, we've developed a strong understanding of the practice, its people and what makes it an attractive place to build a career.

The firm has an established commercial litigation and insolvency practice, a growing pipeline of work and ambitious plans for the future.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys being hands-on with matters, working directly with clients and having a genuine say in the direction of the practice. For the right person, there is also the potential for future equity participation as the firm continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities

As Senior Associate, you will work closely with the firm’s founders and play a key role in advising clients across a broad range of disputes, including but not limited to:

• Complex commercial litigation matters, including debt recovery disputes
• Insolvency and restructuring litigation, acting for a range of stakeholders
• High-stakes disputes for corporate clients, SMEs, and individuals
• Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers, helping to shape the next generation of the firm’s talent
• Developing client relationships and originating new matters, with support from the partners

About You

The ideal candidate will be a Senior Associate or a strong Associate ready to step up, with:

• 5+ years’ post-admission experience in commercial litigation and/or insolvency
• The ability to run matters with increasing autonomy
• A commercial mindset and confidence dealing directly with clients
• Strong advocacy and drafting skills
• An interest in being part of a growing boutique and contributing beyond pure fee-earning

What’s on Offer

This is a genuinely different opportunity to the traditional law firm pathway, offering:

• A clear trajectory as the firm continues to grow, with future equity potential
• Commission incentives on work you originate
• Direct exposure to founders and clients from day one
• A high-trust environment with real autonomy
• The opportunity to join a team where recent hires have integrated quickly and are already making a tangible impact