Associate - Land Rights, Disputes and Advisory

Title: Associate - Land Rights, Disputes and Advisory

Location:

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Job Description:

Slater and Gordon Lawyers are a leading personal injury and class actions law firm where every member of our team has a shared passion for our clients: we are people caring for people.

Our commitment to our people includes offering genuine work-life balance, with a hybrid work environment allowing them to split their time between home and the office. We recognise and reward high performance and have outstanding employee benefits including a week of shutdown leave, paid parental leave, extra-long service leave, together with various ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.

About the role?

Our Land Rights, Disputes & Advisory team is seeking an experienced lawyer (Associate / 4+ years’ PAE, with some flexibility) to work across our practice and develop into a specialised climate and environment litigator. 

You will start by working on compulsory acquisition and dispute matters, while building experience in climate and environment claims. Over time, the role is intended to become more focused on climate and environment litigation and strategic case work. 

About the team:

• The team undertakes a diverse and impactful range of work, including: 
• First Nations work, including native title claims, governance advice and dispute work 
• Climate and environment litigation to prevent and remedy climate and environmental harm 
• Compulsory acquisition matters for claimants across Australia, including novel test cases 
• General disputes, often with a consumer or land-focused element 
• Advisory work, predominantly for not-for-profit and for-purpose organisations 

You may bring experience in any of these areas and will have opportunities to contribute across the practice. 

What you will do 

•  Manage a compulsory acquisition and disputes file load, including advising clients, preparing claims and evidence, negotiating with counterparties, and progressing matters from inception to resolution 
• Join an experienced team of climate and environment litigators on long-term, strategic proceedings, and provide pro-bono and paid advice on a range of matters 
• Work with senior practitioners to assess potential claims, research and draft advice, conduct litigation and manage client relationships 
• Contribute to strategic and business development activities, including building and maintaining key relationships 
• Collaborate closely with colleagues and contribute to a supportive, high-performing team culture 
• Provide clear, practical legal and strategic advice tailored to different audiences 
• Deliver consistently high standards of client service 

What will you bring?

• Litigation experience in compulsory acquisition, land/property disputes and/or climate and environment related legal work 
• Strong interest in climate change, environmental protection and related laws and campaigns 
• Beneficial (but not essential) experience in one or more of: planning and environment law, energy and resources, environmental regulation, land contamination, First Nations work and/or class actions 
• Experience advising a range of clients (for example individuals, corporates and advocacy organisations) 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including clear, client-focused advice 
• Strong case analysis, judgement and problem-solving skills 
• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively in a busy team environment 

This is a permanent full-time role with excellent employment benefits, a supportive team environment and the intrinsic rewards of claimant-focused work. 

What next?

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply directly to Slater and Gordon. We prefer to talk with you personally and are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies.

To be eligible for this position, you must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or hold a valid visa with full and unrestricted working rights in Australia. Proof of work rights will be required as part of the Slater and Gordon application process. 

Acknowledgement of Country Slater and Gordon acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations peoples today.

Diversity + Inclusion Slater and Gordon is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity and ensures equal opportunities for all. Slater and Gordon is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or other legally protected attributes. We understand that everyone has different needs. If you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know in your application.