Special Counsel/Partner - Workplace Relations/Employment

Richmond Search; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 210,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Richmond Search is representing a highly regarded Melbourne CBD firm seeking an experienced employment specialist. The role offers senior practitioners a path to partnership or a lateral move as a partner, with a top-tier client base and exceptional culture.

The successful candidate will advise on contracts, policies, workplace relations and enterprise agreements, while also developing new work from institutional clients. Flexible hybrid arrangements are available.

Qualifications

• High-level employment law expertise within a top-tier firm.
• Experience leading or on a partnership track.
• Ability to develop new work from institutional clients.

Responsibilities

• Advise employers on contracts, policies, and enterprise agreements.
• Lead and grow the employment practice and client base.
• Mentor junior lawyers and contribute to the firm’s culture.
• Collaborate with cross-practice teams to deliver integrated solutions.

Skills

Employment law

Workplace relations

Business development

Partnership track

Job description

• 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

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.

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.