Senior Knowledge Leader – Corporate M&A – Flexible, Pro Rata available

McManus Partners | Legal Search & Consult; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

McManus Partners | Legal Search & Consult in Sydney seeks a senior corporate lawyer or knowledge lawyer to leverage transactional depth in a sophisticated, international corporate environment. You will shape precedents, develop training, and guide legal thinking at the intersection of AI and traditional practice.

The role suits a senior transactional lawyer seeking broader breadth, with strong drafting, regulatory insight and collaboration across a top-tier platform in Australia.

Qualifications

• Senior or new to Senior lawyer or existing Knowledge Lawyer, ideally with experience developed in a sophisticated commercial law environment.
• Strong Corporate and M&A knowledge spanning private M&A, project structuring, JV, governance.
• Top tier/global law firm background with excellent academics, drafting and analytical skills.
• Able to translate complex material into practical resources busy lawyers can apply.
• Interest in technology and AI in legal practice and evolving knowledge systems.

Responsibilities

• Investigate emerging nuances in corporate law and regulatory developments relevant to the practice area.
• Convert insights into practical guidance, briefs and training materials for the team.
• Deliver technical training and handle complex legal queries within knowledge workflows.
• Shape precedents and documentation, leveraging AI, automation and legal tech to improve efficiency.
• Support Corporate Partners with high-volume, cross-border transaction work from Sydney.

Skills

Corporate & M&A

Knowledge management

Legal drafting

Team collaboration

Education

LLB/JD or equivalent

Tools

Legal tech platforms

Job description

• Full-time or part-time opportunity, including 3-4 days per week, suited to senior lawyers looking to use their transactional experience differently
• Stay immersed in complex Corporate and M&A work within a sophisticated international legal environment
• Use your technical expertise to shape precedents, legal thinking, training and the evolving use of AI and legal technology is best practice outcomes

This is a different direction for a Senior Corporate lawyer from a tier one transactions background. who wants to retain the team orientation and market exposure of high-end legal practice as an alternative to frontline transactional practice.

You will primarily support a sector diverse suite of Corporate Partners at the pinnacle of transactions driven out of Sydney. Enjoy the scope of applying the judgement and technical depth developed in practice you have garnered to influence how lawyers approach emerging legal issues. Refine and structure transaction documentation, provide technical efficiency and strong relations with an outstanding large cohort of corporate team.

Available on either a full-time or part-time basis, including 3-4 days per week, it provides genuine scope to design a preferred working arrangement without disconnecting from complex legal work.

It could be particularly well suited to a senior transactional lawyer ready for a change in career direction, or an established Knowledge Lawyer looking for greater breadth and international connectivity.

• Investigate emerging nuances in corporate law and regulatory developments in the space.
• Make effective key changes into practical guidance, briefings and training, while capturing insights from completed matters to inform future work.
• The role extends to technical training and complex legal queries, alongside contributing to how AI, automation and legal technology are applied across knowledge and legal workflows.

The Firm is a tier one reputed international with an Australian practice closely connected to teams throughout Asia-Pacific and other key global markets.

Knowledge is an embedded part of the Firm’s legal practice, supported by an international network spanning knowledge, training and thought leadership, and working closely with legal, business development and transformation teams.

Its Corporate capability encompasses significant domestic and cross-border transactions across Technology and Innovation, Energy and Major capital shifts in Australia. However, by design they are structured as one high yield global profit pool allowing Sydney Corporate teams to attract international deals of impact.

Over time, there is scope to expand the role is develop as it does, broadening your reach across the Australian practice.

About You

• Senior or new to Senior lawyer or existing Knowledge Lawyer, ideally with experience developed in a sophisticated commercial law environment
• Strong Corporate and M&A knowledge spanning areas such as private M&A, project structuring and large-scale joint venture, corporate restructure and governance
• Top tier and global law firm background, strong academics with excellent technical analysis, drafting and written communication skills
• Able to take complex legal and regulatory material and turn it into practical resources that busy lawyers can readily apply
• Collegiate and intellectually curious, with an interest in lawyer development, knowledge systems and the increasing role of technology and AI in legal practice