Special Counsel

HarperLloyd Recruitment; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

HarperLloyd Recruitment is seeking an experienced Insurance Litigation Lawyer at Special Counsel level to join the Sydney office of a highly regarded national law firm. This role targets a senior practitioner with autonomy, direct client responsibility and exposure to sophisticated liability matters across insurers and corporate clients.

You will manage matters from instruction to resolution, oversee strategies, and contribute to the growth of the General Insurance practice within a

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years' PAE in insurance litigation.
• Experience in professional indemnity, public/product liability, construction liability or medical negligence.
• Strong drafting, analytical and litigation skills.
• Ability to provide practical, commercially focused advice.
• Capable of managing complex matters with competing priorities.
• Excellent client relationship and stakeholder management.
• Autonomy and independent ownership of matters.

Responsibilities

• Handle professional indemnity claims and disputes.
• Handle public and product liability litigation.
• Handle building and construction liability matters.
• Handle medical negligence and healthcare liability claims.
• Manage complex general insurance disputes.
• Advise insurers and insureds on liability, quantum and strategy.
• Manage litigated and non-litigated claims.
• Draft pleadings and court documents.
• Brief counsel and manage mediations, hearings and settlements.
• Provide strategic, commercially focused advice to clients.

Skills

Insurance litigation

Liability disputes

Professional indemnity

Public liability

Product liability

Medical negligence

Litigation drafting

Client management

Autonomy

Job description

An outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Insurance Litigation Lawyer at Special Counsel level to join the Sydney office of a highly regarded national law firm.

This opportunity will appeal to a senior insurance practitioner seeking complex liability matters, genuine autonomy and direct client responsibility, while continuing to benefit from the guidance and support of highly experienced senior practitioners.

You will join an established and growing General Insurance practice, advising insurers and corporate clients on a broad range of sophisticated insurance and liability disputes.

An outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Insurance Litigation Lawyer at Special Counsel level to join the Sydney office of a highly regarded national law firm.

This opportunity will appeal to a senior insurance practitioner seeking complex liability matters, genuine autonomy and direct client responsibility, while continuing to benefit from the guidance and support of highly experienced senior practitioners.

You will join an established and growing General Insurance practice, advising insurers and corporate clients on a broad range of sophisticated insurance and liability disputes.

The Opportunity

Working closely with an experienced Principal and a collaborative team of insurance practitioners, you will advise on a diverse range of contentious insurance matters.

Your practice will include:

• Professional indemnity claims and disputes;
• Public and product liability litigation;
• Building and construction-related liability matters;
• Medical negligence and healthcare liability claims;
• Complex general insurance disputes;
• Advising insurers and insured clients on liability, quantum and litigation strategy;
• Managing litigated and non-litigated claims;
• Drafting pleadings, evidence and court documents;
• Briefing counsel and managing mediations, hearings and settlement negotiations; and
• Providing strategic, commercially focused advice to clients.

You will have the opportunity to manage your own matters from initial instructions through to resolution, taking genuine responsibility for litigation strategy, client relationships and outcomes.

The role also provides scope to further develop your advocacy, strategic advisory and practice management skills while contributing to the continued growth of the insurance practice.

About You

We are seeking an experienced insurance litigation lawyer with at least 7 years' PAE, ideally operating at or ready to step into Special Counsel level.

You will have:

• Strong experience in insurance litigation and liability disputes;
• Exposure to professional indemnity, public liability, product liability, construction liability or medical negligence matters;
• Excellent technical drafting, analytical and litigation skills;
• The ability to provide clear, practical and commercially focused legal advice;
• Confidence managing complex matters and competing priorities;
• Strong client relationship and stakeholder management skills;
• Sound judgement, initiative and a high level of professional autonomy; and
• A collaborative approach and commitment to delivering excellent client outcomes.

You will be comfortable working independently, developing trusted client relationships and taking ownership of significant matters while contributing positively to the broader team.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

For a senior insurance lawyer considering their next move, this opportunity offers an attractive combination of quality liability work, genuine responsibility and a supportive national firm environment.

You can expect:

• Sophisticated insurance litigation across multiple liability classes;
• Direct exposure to insurers and corporate clients;
• Genuine autonomy and ownership of matters at Special Counsel level;
• Close mentoring and support from a highly experienced Principal;
• Opportunities to further develop advocacy and strategic advisory expertise;
• A friendly, collegiate and collaborative working environment;
• The resources and national reach of an established Australian law firm;
• Supported hybrid working arrangements;
• An additional paid personal leave day each year;
• The option to purchase additional annual leave;
• Wellbeing initiatives, health checks and employee benefits; and
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.

This is an excellent opportunity for an established Special Counsel or experienced Senior Associate ready to take the next step, offering the chance to work on sophisticated insurance matters while enjoying genuine client responsibility and the support of an experienced national practice.