Solicitor, Commercial Litigation

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP; Sydney; On-site; AUD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in Sydney seeks a Solicitor to join its leading Band 1 Dispute Resolution team. You will work on commercial litigation, arbitrations, investigations, and regulatory inquiries for national and international clients, collaborating with senior partners.

You will contribute to client outcomes, manage files, identify issues, and help develop business opportunities while working with interstate and international colleagues.

Qualifications

• Deliver technical advice on commercial litigation matters from top-tier or in-house environments.
• Hold an Australian or New Zealand practising certificate and strong academic record.
• 1.5–4 years of legal experience with a proactive approach and collaborative mindset.
• Excellent communication and collegiality within a high-performing team.
• Curious about AI and emerging technologies and able to work across jurisdictions.

Responsibilities

• Work on general commercial litigation, arbitrations, investigations and regulatory inquiries.
• Support national and international clients and develop business opportunities.
• Contribute to client outcomes, manage files, and identify proactive solutions.

Skills

Private practice experience

Commercial litigation

Arbitrations

Internal and external investigations

Regulatory inquiries

Excellent academic record

Australian/New Zealand practising cert

Strong communication and teamwork

Ability to work under tight timeframes

Education

Australian or New Zealand practising certificate

Job description

We are seeking a Solicitor to join our leading Band 1 and award-winning Dispute Resolution team to be based in Sydney.

In this role you will work closely with leading partners Leon Chung, Anna Sutherland, Eunice Park, Christine Wong and Mark Smyth as well as a number of pre-eminent partners and senior lawyers across the group. You will undertake a range of work that supports national and international clients on general commercial litigation, arbitrations, internal and external investigations and regulatory inquiries as well as other complex and strategic disputes. You will work across a range of sectors with leading companies and clients.

You will have responsibility for contributing to excellent client outcomes, handling files, identifying issues and proactively providing solutions. You will play an important role in projects to further develop business opportunities with existing and new clients. You will be a key member of a highly motivated and innovative team. You will also work with colleagues in our interstate and international offices.

You will have the opportunity to work in a culture that promotes collaboration and excellence; you will have extensive client exposure and opportunities to develop a network of relationships. You will benefit from exceptional learning opportunities working in a team of highly ambitious lawyers who thrive in teamwork and delivering great outcomes for our clients.

We are seeking a Solicitor to join our leading Band 1 and award-winning Dispute Resolution team to be based in Sydney.

In this role you will work closely with leading partners Leon Chung, Anna Sutherland, Eunice Park, Christine Wong and Mark Smyth as well as a number of pre-eminent partners and senior lawyers across the group. You will undertake a range of work that supports national and international clients on general commercial litigation, arbitrations, internal and external investigations and regulatory inquiries as well as other complex and strategic disputes. You will work across a range of sectors with leading companies and clients.

You will have responsibility for contributing to excellent client outcomes, handling files, identifying issues and proactively providing solutions. You will play an important role in projects to further develop business opportunities with existing and new clients. You will be a key member of a highly motivated and innovative team. You will also work with colleagues in our interstate and international offices.

You will have the opportunity to work in a culture that promotes collaboration and excellence; you will have extensive client exposure and opportunities to develop a network of relationships. You will benefit from exceptional learning opportunities working in a team of highly ambitious lawyers who thrive in teamwork and delivering great outcomes for our clients.

What you'll bring

• demonstrable experience in delivering technical advice on a range of commercial litigation matters from a leading top tier, national or international private practice; or an in-house environment;
• an Australian or New Zealand practising certificate;
• 1½ to 4 years of legal experience;
• an excellent academic record coupled with strong legal skills and a practical mindset;
• a proactive approach and desire to be an integral member of our leading and supportive team;
• an ability to work to tight timeframes, collaboratively and at times autonomously;
• excellent communication skills and ability to demonstrate collegiality within a team;
• have a hunger to learn and develop and be part of maintaining a market-leading practice;
• an innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.

The Disputes Team

With a multi-disciplinary global disputes team of world-leading sector specialists and regional experts, the Disputes team provides commercial insight and legal advice which is described by Chambers and Partners as a 'Dispute Resolution powerhouse that consistently tops the rankings across the world'.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramers' Disputes group is ranked as a Tier 1 Dispute Resolution Firm (Legal 500, 2025) and ranked a Band 1 Dispute Resolution Firm (Chambers Asia Pacific 2025).

What you can expect from us

• We're a world leading international law firm with a global team of over 6,000 professionals across 26 offices. As the market leader in Australia, we are committed to high performance, collaboration, diversity and digital innovation. We are client-centred, commercially driven, and renowned for our solution-focused expertise. We will align your growth with our ambitions.
• We make your personal and professional growth our business. And as part of the team, our ambition is yours too. Wherever you are in your career: grow and help the firm grow with you.
• We will provide opportunities to learn on the job as well as a mix of learning opportunities tailored to you. Daily experiences, supportive challenges, team collaboration, mentors, and structured learning opportunities help you to expand your knowledge and reach your goals.
• We value your wellbeing, both at home and work and we place a strong emphasis on mental health. If you need support, you'll have it and we'll empower you to harness your personal strengths, navigate uncertainty, embrace opportunities, and effectively manage things within your control.
• Join us to be part of a human, bold and outstanding team at Australia's market leading law firm.

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values - Human, Bold, and Outstanding.