Special Counsel / Senior Associate | Front-End Construction

Engage Personnel; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Modern office

Flexible working

Partnership pathway

Competitive salary

Career development

Job summary

Engage Personnel is assisting a sophisticated national law firm in Melbourne to recruit an experienced front-end construction lawyer. The role targets Senior Associate or Special Counsel level with potential for partnership, offering a modern culture and flexible working arrangements.

You’ll focus on contractual and advisory work, reviewing and negotiating project documentation and advising clients on underpinning legal arrangements.

Qualifications

• Senior Associate or Special Counsel level or aspirational partner path.
• Experience in front-end construction matters with emphasis on contracts.
• Ability to review, negotiate and advise on project documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead contractual and advisory work across construction contracts.
• Review and negotiate documentation and advise clients on arrangements.
• Own matters and collaborate with senior colleagues to manage complex projects.

Skills

Construction law

Contract negotiation

Advisory services

Education

Law degree (LLB/JD) or equivalent

Job description

Looking for your next move in construction law, but don’t want to compromise on culture, flexibility or the quality of work? This opportunity offers a little of everything!

I’m working with a sophisticated national law firm with a long-standing reputation for quality work and a refreshingly modern approach to how lawyers work. They’re looking to bring an experienced front-end construction lawyer into their Melbourne team, with scope for someone at Senior Associate or Special Counsel level, or potentially a lawyer ready to take the next step towards partnership.

A few things to know:

• Work somewhere that’s genuinely impressive. Think beautifully renovated workspaces, an innovative tech lab, a dedicated collaboration hub and a corporate kitchen with a full-time food and beverage attendant. The Melbourne office has been designed to bring people together, with a mix of open-plan and private spaces.
• Enjoy flexibility that actually means something. The firm takes an individual approach to working arrangements and has a strong track record of accommodating different needs, including part-time hours and significant work-from-home flexibility.
• High-quality work without the traditional top-tier pressure. Work with sophisticated clients and complex matters in a firm that attracts experienced lawyers from leading practices, while offering a more progressive and approachable working environment.

This is a front-end construction role, with a focus on the contractual and advisory side of projects. You’ll work across construction contracts, reviewing and negotiating documentation and advising clients on the legal arrangements that underpin their projects.

You’ll have the opportunity to work with a sophisticated client base, including major companies and established businesses, while taking ownership of your matters and working closely with experienced colleagues as needed.

You’ll enjoy working through the detail, providing commercially minded advice and building trusted client relationships. Whether you’re an established Senior Associate or Special Counsel, or someone looking for a role with longer‑term partnership potential, there’s scope to discuss where you want your career to go.

What else is on offer?

• A genuinely modern working environment: An impressive Melbourne office designed around collaboration, technology and creating a great experience for both clients and staff.
• A manageable approach to billables: Targets sit around 5.5–6 hours per day, supporting a more balanced approach to high-quality legal work.
• Support to help you grow: Access to dedicated people and development resources, training workshops and business development support.
• Room to build your future: For those interested in progression, there are opportunities to develop your practice and explore a longer‑term pathway towards partnership
• Competitive salary: $180,000 - $260,000 + super based on experience

If you’re looking for sophisticated construction work in a firm that combines a strong reputation with a modern, flexible approach, I’d love to have a confidential conversation.