Senior Lawyer | Planning & Environment / Local Government

Lead Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Lead Group in Sydney seeks an experienced Planning & Environment / Local Government lawyer to join at Senior Associate, Special Counsel or Principal level. You will advise on planning and environmental matters, manage complex cases, and cultivate key client relationships.

This role offers autonomy, strategic influence, and the chance to grow a high-performing practice within an established platform. Competitive remuneration and a collaborative growth-focused environment accompany the opportunity.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Planning & Environment Law or Local Government.
• Track record in business development and client relationships.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Excellent commercial judgement.
• Established client base with potential to bring work.

Responsibilities

• Provide planning and environmental advisory and litigation services.
• Advise on land use planning, zoning and development approvals.
• Manage development applications, appeals and Land and Environment Court proceedings.
• Oversee local government governance and regulatory compliance.
• Counsel councils, developers, property owners and commercial clients.
• Drive client relationships and business development to grow the practice.

Skills

Planning & Environment Law

Local Government Law

Business development

Client relationships

Team leadership

Job description

Senior Lawyer | Planning & Environment / Local Government

Senior Associate | Special Counsel | Principal

Sydney | Established Law Firm | Leadership & Practice Growth

Opportunity

The Opportunity An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Planning & Environment / Local Government Lawyer to join an established and highly regarded law firm at Senior Associate, Special Counsel or Principal level.

We are seeking commercially minded senior practitioners with strong technical expertise, established client relationships and a genuine interest in building and growing a successful legal practice.

This opportunity is particularly suited to lawyers seeking greater autonomy, the ability to influence the direction of a practice and the opportunity to contribute to a firm's broader growth.

The Role

Depending on your expertise and experience, your practice may include:

• Planning and environmental law advisory and litigation
• Land use planning, zoning and development approvals
• Development applications, appeals and Land and Environment Court proceedings
• Local government law, governance and regulatory compliance
• Environmental regulation, enforcement and compliance
• Advising councils, developers, property owners and commercial clients
• Infrastructure, major projects and planning agreements
• Compulsory acquisition, land valuation and compensation matters
• Developing and maintaining strong client relationships
• Identifying new business opportunities and contributing to practice growth

At the more senior levels, there is an opportunity to take a leadership role in developing the practice, mentoring junior lawyers and building a high-performing team.

About You

We are interested in speaking with experienced lawyers who offer:

• Strong experience in Planning & Environment Law, Local Government Law or both.
• Experience at Senior Associate, Special Counsel or Principal level.
• Excellent technical knowledge and strong commercial judgment.
• An established client base, with the potential for some clients to follow.
• A demonstrated track record of business development and generating their own work.
• Strong billings and an understanding of the commercial performance of their practice.
• The ability to build, lead and mentor a team.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and a collaborative approach to growing a practice.

Candidates with an established practice and a genuine interest in building their own team are particularly encouraged to apply.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Genuine Career Progression: Opportunity to establish yourself in a senior leadership position.
• Build Your Own Practice: Develop your client portfolio and contribute to the strategic direction of the practice.
• Established Platform: Join a respected law firm with an established market presence and diverse client relationships.
• Autonomy & Influence: Opportunity to shape your practice and contribute to broader firm growth.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside experienced practitioners across complementary practice areas.
• Competitive Remuneration: Attractive salary package, negotiable based on experience, client following and business development capability.

All enquiries will be treated with strict confidentiality.