Senior Associate - Workplace & Safety

Wotton Kearney; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Mentoring and career development

Parental leave up to 26 weeks

Home office allowance

Health and wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Wotton Kearney in Sydney is seeking a Senior Associate to join our Workplace and Safety team, advising insurers, employers and organisations on high-stakes employment matters. You'll handle a full range of workplace issues, contribute to strategy, and work with government and private sector clients across state and federal jurisdictions.

We offer mentoring, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities to contribute to industry-leading projects in insurance and risk.

Qualifications

• Senior Associate with strong experience in employment law and industrial relations.
• Experience advising insurers, employers or large organisations.
• Excellent drafting, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to own matters and build trusted client relationships.
• Collaborative style with interest in insurance and risk practice.

Responsibilities

• Advise on employment and industrial relations matters across the spectrum.
• Manage and defend employment litigation and disputes across jurisdictions.
• Advise on award interpretation, enterprise agreements and workforce changes.
• Collaborate with government and private sector clients on strategic advisory matters.
• Provide practical, commercially-minded advice on day-to-day risks, compliance and investigations.

Skills

Employment law

Industrial relations

Workplace disputes

Drafting

Client management

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) / JD

Job description

Senior Associate, Workplace and Safety - Sydney

Join the best. Be yourself. At WK, we solve complex legal problems, challenge ourselves to innovate, and create impact for our people, clients, and communities. We’re Asia Pacific’s leading insurance and risk legal business, and due to growth, we’re expanding our Workplace & Safety team.

Our growth has been phenomenal. Why? At Wotton Kearney, we attract the best clients because we have the best people, delivering exceptional service to become industry leaders, building a thriving business driven by our shared values - Focus on the Main Game, Have Each Other’s Back, and Be Real - so if you're looking for the best place to grow your career, talk to us.

The Role

As a Senior Associate in our Sydney Workplace and Safety team, you’ll work across the full range of workplace matters, advising and representing insurers, employers and organisations on high-stakes, fast-moving issues. Our national practice has expertise across all jurisdictions, with a strong focus on employment advice and representation in litigated claims.

You’ll be part of a team that is known for adapting to the ever-changing landscape of employment relations and delivering practical solutions to complex problems, including through regular workplace training for clients.

What You’ll Do:

• Advise on a broad range of employment and industrial relations matters, including unfair dismissal, general protections, discrimination, bullying and harassment claims


• Support clients across sensitive and complex workplace issues, including disciplinary processes, performance management, restructures and regulatory risk


• Work closely with government and private sector clients on strategic advisory matters, including award interpretation, enterprise agreements and workforce changes


• Manage and defend employment litigation and disputes across state and federal jurisdictions


• Provide practical, commercially-minded advice on day-to-day employment risks, compliance and investigations

What We’re Looking For:

• Senior Associate with strong experience in employment law, industrial relations and/or workplace disputes


• Confidence advising on both contentious and advisory matters, ideally with exposure to government or large institutional clients


• Strong drafting, analytical and problem-solving skills with a practical, solutions-focused approach


• Ability to take ownership of matters and build trusted relationships with clients


• A collaborative style and genuine interest in developing your career in a leading insurance and risk practice

Why Wotton Kearney?

At Wotton Kearney, we’re not your typical law firm. We are forward-thinking pioneers, creative strategists, and genuine professionals reshaping insurance law. We thrive on collaboration, bold ideas, and unwavering support.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Industry Leaders & Innovation Pioneers -We don’t just keep up with change; we drive it. We were the first Australian law firm to launch Cicero, the country’s first AI product built for legal professionals.


• Recognised Excellence -Ranked Australia’s best insurance law firm (Best Lawyers 2026) and consistently ranked Band 1 across legal directories.


• FLEX for all -We care about client outcomes, quality, and business and cultural contributions. If you can make that work by working part-time, working \"irregular hours\" or working from home - then so can we.


• Growth & Mentoring -We invest in you with hands-on mentoring, training, and career development, keeping you ahead in the legal and insurance industries.


• A Culture That Sets Us Apart -Open, collegiate, and passionate about everything we do. We don’t just talk about culture; we live it.


• Giving Back -From building homes in Cambodia to fun runs and bake sales, there are plenty of ways to make an impact beyond the office.


• Leaders of the Pack -As one of Australia’s fastest-growing law firms, we know where we’re headed and we want you on the journey with us.


• Putting People First -We offer generous parental leave up to 26 weeks, purchased annual leave, home office allowances, health and wellbeing benefits, education assistance and more.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace at Wotton Kearney. As part of our dedication to accessibility, we strive to support candidates with disabilities throughout the interview process. If you require any accommodations or assistance during the application and interview stages please contact us at *******@wottonkearney.com

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