Special Counsel - Family Law

Engage Personnel; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Engage Personnel in Melbourne seeks a Senior Family Lawyer to lead a skilled team and drive outcomes across complex matters. You will mentor junior lawyers, manage files with autonomy and contribute to practice growth. A clear leadership pathway remains central as you guide the team toward Principal.

This senior opportunity offers collaborative leadership, development of others, and the chance to shape the direction of the family law practice within a well-established firm.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in family law.
• Strong client service and file management skills.
• Mentoring and developing junior lawyers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a talented family law team across a broad practice.
• Manage complex family law matters with autonomy.
• Oversee team performance and provide guidance to lawyers at all levels.
• Build lasting client relationships and contribute to practice growth.
• Shape the direction and development of the broader team.

Job description

An opportunity to take the next step in your career, lead and mentor a talented team, and work towards a future in leadership. An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Family Lawyer to join a well-established and highly regarded family law practice in a senior capacity.

This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a position where you can take ownership of your work, contribute to the ongoing growth of the practice and play an active role in mentoring and developing junior lawyers. With an established team, strong leadership and a genuine pathway to Principal, this is an opportunity to build something meaningful for the long term.

The Opportunity

Joining an established family law team of approximately 28 lawyers, paralegals, graduates and support staff, you will work across a broad range of family law matters and a diverse client base.

You'll have the support of an experienced and approachable department head who is genuinely invested in the development of her people, alongside a collaborative team that values high-quality work and client service.

Depending on your experience, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Manage a varied and interesting family law practice with a high degree of autonomy.
• Lead, mentor and develop junior lawyers and early-career team members.
• Manage and oversee a team, providing guidance and support on matters.
• Build strong client relationships and contribute to the continued growth of the practice.
• Play an active role in the direction and development of the broader team.

About You

You'll be an experienced Family Lawyer operating at Special Counsel level, with the confidence and capability to manage complex matters independently.

You'll also bring:

• Strong technical experience across a broad range of family law matters.
• The ability to manage your own files and provide high-quality client service.
• A genuine interest in mentoring and developing junior lawyers.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build lasting relationships.
• An interest in contributing to the ongoing success and growth of a team.

Why You'll Love It Here

This is a firm that genuinely values its people and understands the importance of creating an environment where lawyers can enjoy their work, feel supported and continue to develop.

You'll benefit from:

• A genuinely supportive and welcoming culture with approachable leadership.
• A clear pathway towards Principal, with the opportunity to work towards this after approximately two years.
• Generous parental leave provisions.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• A purchase leave program.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives.
• Access to volunteering opportunities and community programs.
• Ongoing training and professional development.

If you're an experienced Family Lawyer looking for a senior opportunity where you can make an impact, develop others and have a genuine pathway into leadership, we'd love to hear from you.