Special Counsel/Partner - Workplace Relations/Employment

Richmond Search; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 360,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote and hybrid work arrangements

Job summary

Richmond Search has been retained by a highly regarded Melbourne CBD firm to recruit an experienced employment specialist at Special Counsel/Partner level. The role emphasizes senior leadership in workplace relations for a blue-chip client base.

The successful candidate will draft and review contracts and policies, advise on redundancies and restructures, and lead strategic client development while benefiting from flexible remote/ hybrid work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Strong technical workplace relations/employment expertise gained in a well-regarded firm.
• Experience pursuing partnership opportunities or acting as a lateral partner with a following.
• Demonstrated ability to develop business and manage client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Draft and review employment contracts, contractor agreements, policies and enterprise agreements.
• Advise on redundancies, business sales, and corporate restructuring.
• Handle claims involving unfair dismissal, general protections, and workplace bullying/harassment.
• Guide on modern award compliance and statutory employment obligations.

Skills

Workplace relations

Employment law

Business development

Leadership / partnership track

Job description

Richmond Search have been retained by a highly-regarded and commercially dominant Melbourne CBD firm who is seeking an experienced employment specialist to join at Special Counsel/Partner level.

• Highly-regarded boutique law firm in Melbourne's CBD
• Excellent opportunity for a senior practitioner to step up to partnership or move laterally as a partner
• Top-shelf client base and an exceptional culture

About the firm

This firm has built an outstanding reputation acting for a sophisticated blue-chip client base across the following areas:

• Global automotive manufacturers and dealership groups
• Leading global/domestic FMCG, food and beverage businesses
• Major aged care, education (including independent schools)
• Transport/logistics operators
• Large-scale property, recruitment and technology sector clients
• SME clients and senior executives across a range of industries.

The existing employment and workplace relations practice sits within a broader, highly profitable commercial practice They work closely with colleagues across the firm on cross-referred and jointly-run matters. The culture and feel within this firm is outstanding - the partners have taken great care to create an enjoyable and supportive work place and they absolutely understand that their employees value flexibility. They take great care to hire lawyers at all levels that (alongside technical excellence) embody the firm's values of collaboration, respect and integrity.

Scope of the role:

Currently the workplace practice primarily advises employers on the following matters:

• Drafting/ reviewing employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, workplace policies/procedures, and enterprise agreements
• Advice on redundancies, business sales, and corporate restructuring
• Handling claims involving unfair dismissal, adverse action, general protections, and workplace bullying or harassment
• Advice on modern award compliance and statutory employment obligations.

There is also some work for senior executives. Whilst there is an existing practice to walk into, there is considerable untapped potential to develop more work from institutional clients of the firm.

What you'll need:

• Strong technical workplace relations/employment expertise, gained in a well-regarded firm
• This role could suit an experienced SA/Special Counsel on the cusp of partnership who is not seeing opportunities for growth at their current firm or a lateral partner with some level of following
• A keen interest in business development. There is an existing practice here but a great deal of scope to leverage from superb existing relationships within the firm. The strategic imperative within the firm for the workplace practice to grow is significant
• A genuine interest in practice management is ideal — this is a role for someone who wants to help drive the broader practice, not just service their own files.

Flexibility:

The firm is very open to remote and hybrid working arrangements for the right candidate.