Senior Disputes Lawyer (Associate or Senior Associate) - SYDNEY

Bugden Allen Graham Lawyers; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Staff Incentive Program

Clear career development pathways

Flexible workplace

Job summary

Bugden Allen Graham Lawyers in Sydney (NSW Centre) seeks a Senior Disputes Lawyer (Associate or Senior Associate) to lead complex property-related disputes within a busy litigation team. The role offers hybrid work after probation and a pathway for career growth in a national firm.

The successful candidate will have 4–5+ years PAE with strong property law and dispute resolution experience, and will handle high-profile matters for developers, investors and strata stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years property disputes experience
• 4–5+ years PAE considered
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Collaborative, fast-paced environment

Responsibilities

• Property-related commercial disputes, litigation, and advisory matters
• Property development, leasing, strata by-laws, and general property law
• Construction disputes and broader contractual issues
• Strata and community title disputes with NSW legislation focus
• Coordinating with counsel and managing client relationships
• Drafting court documents, correspondence, and witness/expert material
• Attending hearings and briefing counsel

Skills

Disputes

Property Law

Litigation

Team Collaboration

Job description

Senior Disputes Lawyer (Associate or Senior Associate)

Reporting To:

Partner

Office Hiring:

Sydney (NSW Centre)

Description of Role

Bugden Allen is a national, award-winning law firm that specialises in property law, property development and strata and community titles. As New South Wales’ leading legal practice in this field, we are looking for an experienced property lawyer to join our high-performing Sydney team. This is a full-time, permanent opportunity designed to give you a strong foundation for a successful legal career. Ideally you have at least 5 years PAE, however we would also consider someone more senior.

You will take an active role in our busy commercial and property litigation team, running your own complex and varied matters. You will be joining an established team with an extensive client base and will work industry leading property developers, property investors and strata stakeholders. You will be joining a national law firm with its own proprietary technology and partners who are true global leaders in their field.

We also pride ourselves on our flexible, family-first culture. Based in our Sydney office at 77 King Street (above the Apple store), you will enjoy a supportive environment where your wellbeing is valued, with hybrid work options available after your probation period.

Finally, you will be part of a business that embraces innovation and technology. You will be joining at an exciting time in a firm led by technology experts who are implementing an exciting AI-program.

Responsibilities

In this role, you’ll work across a range of property-related commercial disputes, litigation, and advisory matters, including:

• Property development, insurance, strata by-laws, leasing, and general property law
• Construction disputes and broader contractual issues
• Strata and community title disputes, with a strong focus on NSW legislation
• Collective sales and scheme terminations
• Drafting legal correspondence, court documents, and client advice
• Managing files and attending court hearings
• Briefing counsel and preparing witness and expert evidence
• Preparing materials for interlocutory and final hearings

About You

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Intelligent, motivated and genuinely interested in developing a career in property law;
• A lawyer with at least 3 years of property law experience;
• A proactive self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced and collaborative environment; and
• Meticulous, well-organised and committed to delivering outstanding client service.

Ideal candidates will have:

• Minimum 4-5+ years PAE
• Property law experience
• Strata and communities experience (preferable)
• Commercial and/or property litigation experience (commensurate with PAE)
• Familiarity with NCAT/Supreme/Federal Court litigation (commensurate with PAE)
• Strong academic results that reflect your commitment to excellence
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A collaborative mindset, strong interpersonal skills, and an eagerness to learn from senior practitioners

With offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and the Sunshine Coast, Bugden Allen is led by some of Australia’s foremost experts in strata and property law.

With 1 in 4 Australians now living in strata, this is a rapidly growing sector, and we’re proud to be leading it. Our clients include property developers, government agencies, strata managers, financial institutions, and both listed and private companies.

We also operate a PropTech company, developing innovative legal platforms like LevyCollect, a market-leading debt recovery system for strata levies. We are also implementing an exciting AI program and developing some proprietary solutions for the industry. This blend of legal expertise and technology sets us apart.

• Competitive salary package, commensurate with your skills and experience
• Participation in our Staff Incentive Program, with realistic billing targets and meaningful rewards
• Clear career development pathways in a high-demand area of law
• A supportive, flexible workplace that values work-life balance