Special Counsel / Partner | Employment & Workplace Relations

Lead Group; Sydney; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Lead Group, a prominent Sydney law firm, seeks a Special Counsel or Partner to lead its Employment & Workplace Relations practice. You will manage complex matters, maintain senior client relationships and drive strategic growth for the team.

The role offers senior leadership opportunities, potential partnership progression and involvement in high‑quality matters for sophisticated clients. Excellent compensation reflects experience and contribution.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Employment & Workplace Relations at Special Counsel or Partner level.
• Strong technical expertise across employment litigation and advisory matters.
• Proven ability to manage complex matters and senior client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex contentious and non-contentious employment matters for corporate clients.
• Advise executives on employment law, industrial relations and compliance.
• Develop new clients and opportunities; contribute to practice growth and leadership.

Skills

Employment & Workplace Relations

Leadership

Business development

Client relationship management

Strategic counsel

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.)

New South Wales Legal Practising Certificate

Job description

Special Counsel / Partner – Employment & Workplace Relations

Are you an experienced Employment Lawyer at Special Counsel or Partner level looking for greater autonomy, influence and the opportunity to grow a practice?

We are partnering with a highly regarded Sydney law firm seeking an accomplished Special Counsel or Partner – Employment & Workplace Relations to join its established practice.

This is an opportunity for a commercially astute senior practitioner who brings strong technical expertise, established client relationships and the ambition to contribute to the strategic growth of an Employment & Workplace Relations practice.

Our client is open to considering both an established Partner seeking a new platform and an experienced Special Counsel ready to progress towards Partnership.

The Opportunity

Depending on your experience and seniority, you will have the opportunity to:

• Lead complex contentious and non-contentious employment and workplace relations matters.
• Advise corporate clients, employers and senior executives on employment law, industrial relations and workplace compliance.
• Manage complex employment disputes, executive terminations, discrimination claims, general protections and workplace investigations.
• Provide strategic advice on restructures, enterprise agreements and workplace risk management.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships and identify opportunities for practice growth.
• Contribute to business development, client acquisition and the strategic direction of the practice.
• Mentor and develop junior practitioners while establishing yourself as a key senior leader.

About You

We are particularly interested in speaking with practitioners who offer:

• Significant experience in Employment & Workplace Relations, ideally at Special Counsel or Partner level.
• Strong technical expertise across employment litigation, advisory and industrial relations matters.
• A proven ability to manage complex matters and maintain senior client relationships.
• Strong commercial judgement and a business development mindset.
• Leadership capability and the confidence to contribute to the growth of a practice.
• An established professional network, with an existing client following highly regarded.
• A genuine interest in long-term practice development and leadership.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Opportunity to join an established Sydney law firm at a senior leadership level.
• Scope to develop and expand an Employment & Workplace Relations practice.
• Potential Partnership progression for the right Special Counsel.
• Opportunity for an established Partner to further develop their practice.
• High-quality work and direct engagement with sophisticated clients.
• Competitive remuneration reflective of experience, seniority and commercial contribution.
• A platform for long-term professional and commercial growth.

Opportunities at this level are rarely just about changing firms. They are about finding the right platform, leadership alignment and commercial opportunity for the next stage of your career.