Senior Associate / Special Counsel | Commercial Litigation (Sydney)

MAKIN Advisory; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Two Established National Law Firms in Sydney are seeking experienced commercial litigators for Senior Associate or Special Counsel level roles. You will manage your own files, engage directly with clients, and drive matters from instruction through to resolution or trial.

The roles emphasize autonomy, with opportunities to own matters and contribute to the development of a broad commercial disputes practice, including IP-related litigation. Prior experience in NSW or Federal courts is valued.

Qualifications

• Approximately 6+ years' PAE in litigation, although capability and experience will be considered ahead of PAE alone.
• Strong commercial litigation and dispute resolution experience.
• Experience managing litigation matters with a high degree of autonomy.
• Strong drafting, analytical and technical legal skills.
• Experience appearing in and conducting matters before NSW and/or Federal courts.
• Confidence dealing directly with clients, Counsel, experts and other stakeholders.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to provide practical, strategic advice.
• The ability to manage competing files and deadlines independently; and
• The confidence to take a matter from initial instructions through to finalisation.

Responsibilities

• Taking initial instructions and advising clients on prospects, strategy and commercial risk.
• Developing and implementing litigation strategy.
• Managing matters independently from commencement through to resolution.
• Drafting pleadings, affidavits, submissions and other court documents.
• Managing evidence, discovery and interlocutory applications.
• Briefing and working directly with Counsel and experts.
• Appearing in court and at directions hearings where appropriate.
• Conducting settlement negotiations and participating in mediations.
• Managing client relationships and providing ongoing strategic advice.
• Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers and support staff; and
• Contributing to the ongoing development of the litigation practice.

Job description

Senior Associate / Special Counsel | Commercial Litigation (Sydney)

I am currently working with two established national law firms seeking experienced commercial litigation lawyers to join their Sydney practices at Senior Associate or Special Counsel level.

Both opportunities are particularly suited to experienced litigators who are ready to take genuine ownership of their matters.

Rather than operating as one lawyer within a heavily layered team, you will have the opportunity to manage your own files, deal directly with clients and take matters from initial instructions and strategy through to resolution, settlement or trial.

Sydney | Senior Associate / Special Counsel | Established National Law Firms

I am currently working with two established national law firms seeking experienced commercial litigation lawyers to join their Sydney practices at Senior Associate or Special Counsel level.

Both opportunities are particularly suited to experienced litigators who are ready to take genuine ownership of their matters.

Rather than operating as one lawyer within a heavily layered team, you will have the opportunity to manage your own files, deal directly with clients and take matters from initial instructions and strategy through to resolution, settlement or trial.

The Opportunities

The firms have established litigation practices and act across a broad range of commercial disputes for businesses, directors, shareholders and individuals.

Depending on the opportunity and your experience, matters may include:

• Complex commercial and contractual disputes;
• Corporate, director and shareholder disputes;
• Partnership and business disputes;
• Property and leasing disputes;
• Building and construction disputes;
• Insolvency and bankruptcy-related litigation;
• Professional negligence claims;
• Banking and insurance disputes;
• Debt recovery and enforcement proceedings;
• Intellectual property disputes;
• Trade mark and copyright infringement proceedings;
• Urgent interlocutory and injunctive applications; and
• Other commercial disputes before NSW and Federal courts.

One of the opportunities may be particularly attractive to lawyers with an interest or background in intellectual property disputes, including trade mark and copyright litigation.

The Role

The key to these positions is autonomy and ownership.

At Senior Associate / Special Counsel level, you will be expected to have the experience and confidence to take responsibility for matters from commencement through to finalisation.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Taking initial instructions and advising clients on prospects, strategy and commercial risk;
• Developing and implementing litigation strategy;
• Managing matters independently from commencement through to resolution;
• Drafting pleadings, affidavits, submissions and other court documents;
• Managing evidence, discovery and interlocutory applications;
• Briefing and working directly with Counsel and experts;
• Appearing in court and at directions hearings where appropriate;
• Conducting settlement negotiations and participating in mediations;
• Managing client relationships and providing ongoing strategic advice;
• Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers and support staff; and
• Contributing to the ongoing development of the litigation practice.

You will have access to Partner support when required, but these are roles for lawyers who are comfortable running their own files and taking responsibility for the conduct and progression of matters.

About You

We are interested in speaking with experienced commercial litigators who are operating at, or ready to step into, Senior Associate or Special Counsel level.

Ideally, you will have:

• Approximately 6+ years' PAE in litigation, although capability and experience will be considered ahead of PAE alone;
• Strong commercial litigation and dispute resolution experience;
• Experience managing litigation matters with a high degree of autonomy;
• Strong drafting, analytical and technical legal skills;
• Experience appearing in and conducting matters before NSW and/or Federal courts;
• Confidence dealing directly with clients, Counsel, experts and other stakeholders;
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to provide practical, strategic advice;
• The ability to manage competing files and deadlines independently; and
• The confidence to take a matter from initial instructions through to finalisation.

Candidates from national, mid-tier, boutique and specialist litigation practices are encouraged to apply.

Why Consider These Opportunities?

These roles offer experienced litigators the opportunity to take the next step in their careers and assume greater ownership of their work.

Depending on the firm and your experience, the opportunities offer:

• High-quality and varied commercial litigation work;
• Autonomy to manage your own matters from start to finish;
• Direct relationships with clients;
• Close interaction with experienced Partners;
• Exposure to matters before NSW and Federal courts;
• Opportunities to supervise and mentor junior lawyers;
• Established national practices with strong litigation capabilities; and
• Genuine scope to develop your profile and progress your career at a senior level.

Both firms have established Sydney litigation practices. One has a particularly broad commercial disputes offering spanning areas including business, property, construction and professional negligence disputes, while the other provides significant exposure to business and IP-related litigation.

Confidential Enquiries

If you are an experienced commercial litigator in Sydney and are interested in a role where you can take ownership of your matters and work with genuine autonomy, I would be interested in speaking with you.

All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Email: ***email_hidden***

Phone: [phone]***

Location: Sydney, NSW

Practice Area: Commercial Litigation / Dispute Resolution

Level: Senior Associate / Special Counsel