Special Counsel (Family Law)

ALRA; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A Senior Associate role in a leading international family law firm based in Sydney offers a clear path to partnership and leadership. You will manage a varied practice, build trusted client relationships, and contribute to growth through referrals and business development.

You’ll have 9+ years of PAE in family law, run files with minimal supervision, and mentor junior lawyers while collaborating with Accredited Specialists to expand the firm’s presence in Australia.

Qualifications

• 9+ years PAE in family law.
• Manage a varied family law practice.
• Mentor junior lawyers and contribute to business development.
• Strong client relationship skills and strategic mindset.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied family law practice in Sydney.
• Build trusted client relationships and grow the practice.
• Support growth of the Sydney office.
• Mentor junior lawyers and assist with business development.

Skills

Strong technical ability across family

Excellent client relationship skills

Ability to run own files with minimal

Collaboration and leadership mindset

Job description

Build Your Career Faster. Not Just Longer.

Some law firms promise career progression.

This firm has built a business model that makes it happen.

When work dries up, development slows. You spend your time waiting for the next matter instead of building the experience that gets you promoted.

They don't have that problem.

That success caught the attention of the biggest specialist family law firm in the UK who have now invested in the firm as their first overseas acquisition.

Their growth has been driven almost entirely through digital marketing. The result is a consistent stream of quality family law matters, meaning you'll spend less time waiting for work, or being asked to win it yourself, and more time building the experience that accelerates your career.

For an experienced Senior Associate, that creates opportunities most firms simply can't offer.

Why lawyers join:

• Your progression isn't a mystery.
  You'll know exactly what's required to reach the next level. Promotion criteria are transparent, regular check-ins keep you on track, and you'll be supported to achieve your goals as quickly as your performance allows.

• Focus on legal work.
  A dedicated team provides administrative support, allowing you to spend more time advising clients and less time buried in paperwork.

• Autonomy without isolation.
  You'll manage your own caseload while working alongside Accredited Specialists and highly regarded family lawyers who are invested in helping each other succeed.

• Leadership pays.
  Building a successful team isn't just expected - it's rewarded. Lawyers who mentor others and help their team succeed are recognised through a transparent leadership bonus because great leaders build great firms.

• A business that's going somewhere.
  With significant backing from an overseas powerhouse and plans for continued expansion across Australia, you'll be joining at an exciting stage of the firm's growth rather than trying to catch up later.

The Role

We're looking for a Special Counsel with 9 + years' PAE in family law.

You'll manage a varied family law practice, build trusted client relationships and play an important role in the continued growth of the Sydney office. If you enjoy mentoring junior lawyers or have strong business development skills, there is plenty of opportunity to make an even greater impact.

About You

You’ll ideally have:

• Strong technical ability across parenting and property matters.
• Excellent client relationship skills.
• The confidence to run your own files with minimal supervision.
• A collaborative mindset and genuine interest in helping build a high-performing team.

If you've been thinking...

"I'm learning, but my career has plateaued."

"I'm ready for more responsibility but don't know what I need to do to get promoted."

"I want to spend more time practising law and less time doing admin."

This could be exactly the move you've been waiting for.