Senior Family Lawyer — Autonomy, Leadership & High-Value Matters

Elias; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Elias in Sydney CBD is seeking a Senior Associate / Special Counsel-level Family Lawyer to lead sophisticated family law matters with genuine autonomy and strategic input. Work alongside a specialist team, managing high-value property and parenting issues, while mentoring juniors and contributing to growth.

The role offers leadership opportunities, strong support, and the chance to shape the practice in a premier Sydney CBD office.

Qualifications

• Admission as a Solicitor in NSW.
• 7+ years' PQE predominantly in Family Law.
• Strong experience in complex parenting and property matters.
• Excellent advocacy, negotiation and drafting skills.
• Ability to manage sophisticated matters and clients autonomously.
• Experience mentoring or supervising junior lawyers.
• Strong commercial judgment and client relationship skills.
• Accredited Specialist in Family Law, or substantial equivalent expertise, will be highly regarded.
• Interest in developing referral relationships and contributing to the growth of the practice.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage complex family law matters, including high-value property settlements and complex financial matters.
• Appear in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, represent clients at mediations, brief Counsel.
• Mentor junior lawyers and provide technical guidance while contributing to business development.
• Oversee matters from strategy through to settlement or final hearing, with emphasis on client relationships and practice growth.
• Collaborate with senior practitioners in a collaborative, high-performing environment.

Skills

Advocacy

Negotiation

Drafting

Client relationships

Mentoring

Education

7+ years PQE in Family Law

Solicitor in NSW

Job description

Are you an accomplished Family Lawyer looking to join a specialist family law practice where you can take on a senior role with genuine autonomy, influence and career progression?

Our Client is a well-established specialist family law practice seeking an experienced Senior Associate / Special Counsel-level Family Lawyer to join its growing team in Sydney CBD.

This is a senior appointment suited to a highly capable family law practitioner who can take ownership of sophisticated matters, provide strategic guidance to clients, mentor junior lawyers and contribute to the continued growth and development of the practice.

You will work alongside experienced family law practitioners in a collaborative, high-performing environment, with strong administrative and paralegal support allowing you to focus on complex legal work, client relationships and practice growth.

The Role

You will independently manage complex family law matters, including:

• High-value property settlements and complex financial matters
• Parenting disputes
• Financial agreements
• Relocation and recovery applications
• Child support, divorce and de facto matters
• Matters involving businesses, trusts and complex asset structures

You will manage files from initial strategy through to settlement or final hearing, appear in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, represent clients at mediations, brief Counsel and provide strategic advice on complex matters.

As a senior member of the practice, you will also mentor junior lawyers, provide technical guidance and contribute to business development and practice growth.

About You

You will have:

• Admission as a Solicitor in NSW
• 7+ years' PQE, predominantly in Family Law
• Strong experience in complex parenting and property matters
• Excellent advocacy, negotiation and drafting skills
• The ability to manage sophisticated matters and clients autonomously
• Experience mentoring or supervising junior lawyers
• Strong commercial judgment and client relationship skills
• Accredited Specialist in Family Law, or substantial equivalent expertise, will be highly regarded
• An interest in developing referral relationships and contributing to the growth of the practice

What's on Offer

• Senior Salary + Performance Bonus
• High-quality, complex family law matters
• Genuine leadership and career progression opportunities
• Significant autonomy and ownership of your practice
• Dedicated administrative and paralegal support
• Modern Sydney CBD officesin Angel Place
• Collaborative, specialist family law team
• 1 day per week work from home, with a view to 2 days for the right candidate