Solicitor (Family Law)

Sterling Legal; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work by arrangement

Mentoring from senior lawyers

Job summary

Sterling Legal is seeking an experienced Family Law Solicitor with 2‑5 years PQE to join our Sydney CBD office. You will take genuine ownership of matters, develop advocacy and leadership skills, and build a long‑term career within a growing practice.

You will manage a diverse family law practice, including parenting, property settlements, binding agreements, divorce and family violence matters, and complex proceedings, with direct client responsibility and collaboration with senior

Qualifications

• Admitted to practise in Australia (Supreme Court and High Court admissions) with a current practising certificate.
• 2–5 years PQE with substantial experience in family law.
• Experience managing family law matters from commencement through to resolution.
• Sound knowledge of the Family Law Act 1975 and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia practice and procedure.
• Confident in court appearances, negotiation and client management.

Responsibilities

• Managing family law matters from initial consultation through negotiation, mediation, litigation and final resolution.
• Providing clear, strategic and empathetic advice to clients.
• Preparing applications, affidavits, financial documents, briefs, submissions and correspondence.
• Appearing in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and other courts where appropriate.
• Representing clients in mediations, dispute resolution conferences and negotiations.
• Developing case strategy in consultation with senior practitioners.
• Maintaining precedents and practice resources.

Skills

Client management

Court appearances

Drafting and submissions

Strategic case management

Team mentoring

Attention to deadlines

Job description

Solicitor: Family Law Practitioner (2-5 PQE)

Full‑time

About the role

Sterling Legal is seeking an experienced Family Law Solicitor with 2-5 years PQE to join our growing Family Law Team in our Sydney CBD office.

This role suits a family lawyer who is ready to take genuine ownership of matters, develop advocacy and leadership skills, and build a long‑term career within a growing practice.

You will manage a diverse family law practice, including:

• parenting and children's matters
• property and financial settlements
• binding agreements
• divorce and separation
• family violence and protection matters
• complex and contested family law proceedings

You will have direct client responsibility and work closely with senior practitioners on strategy, advocacy and complex matters.

Key Responsibilities

• managing family law matters from initial consultation through negotiation, mediation, litigation and final resolution
• providing clear, strategic and empathetic advice to clients
• preparing applications, affidavits, financial documents, briefs, submissions and correspondence
• appearing in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and other courts where appropriate
• representing clients in mediations, dispute resolution conferences and negotiations
• developing case strategy in consultation with senior practitioners
• managing disclosure, evidence and preparation for interim and final hearings
• supervising and mentoring junior lawyers and paralegals where appropriate
• developing and maintaining precedents and practice resources
• keeping current with developments in family law legislation, procedure and case law
• contributing to the ongoing development of our Family Law Team

About You

• We are looking for a solicitor who:
• is admitted to practise in Australia (Supreme Court and High Court admissions) and holds a current practising certificate
• has 2 to 5 years PQE, with substantial experience in family law
• has experience managing family law matters from commencement through to resolution
• has sound knowledge of the Family Law Act 1975 and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia practice and procedure
• is confident in court appearances, negotiation and client management
• demonstrates strong drafting, analytical and communication skills
• manages competing deadlines and a busy caseload with discipline and attention to detail
• approaches matters strategically while remaining sensitive to the personal circumstances of clients
• takes ownership of files and accepts responsibility for progressing matters
• works effectively within a team and supports junior practitioners
• is committed to high professional standards, integrity and client service

About Sterling Legal

Sterling Legal is a growing Australian law firm with a substantial family law practice.

Our approach combines strategic legal advice, strong advocacy and genuine client care. Family law clients often come to us during difficult periods in their lives. We aim to give them clear advice, practical solutions and confidence in the way their matter is being managed.

Our philosophy is reflected in our commitment to being Your Partners in Law and in our core values: Passion. Strategy. Solutions.

We value collaboration, professional development, accountability and high-quality legal work. Our lawyers are encouraged to develop their own professional identity, deepen their technical expertise and take increasing responsibility as their careers progress.

What we offer

• Joining Sterling Legal provides:
• a competitive salary package with performance‑based incentives
• direct mentoring and professional development from experienced senior lawyers
• genuine responsibility for your own files and clients
• regular advocacy, mediation and litigation experience
• support from lawyers and paralegals within a collaborative team structure
• flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work by arrangement
• opportunities to develop leadership and supervisory experience
• career progression within a growing practice
• a genuine pathway towards senior roles and, for the right practitioner, partnership
• a professional environment where initiative, judgment and contribution are recognised

All applications will be treated confidentially.