Special Counsel – Contested Estates & Litigation

Special Counsel - Wills & Estates
Sydney | 8+ Years PQE
(client will also consider Partner level candidates)

Our client is a highly regarded, award-winning law firm with a well-established Wills & Estates practice that forms part of its broader Commercial team. Due to continued growth, an opportunity has arisen for an experienced Special Counsel to help lead and further develop this successful practice.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior lawyer seeking sophisticated work, direct client relationships and the opportunity to build a long-term practice within a collaborative and high-performing firm.

The Opportunity

Working alongside experienced Partners, you will advise a sophisticated client base including high-net-worth individuals, business owners, families, trustees and charitable organisations across the full spectrum of wills, estates and succession planning.

Your work will include:

• Advising clients on complex estate planning, including wills, testamentary trusts, enduring powers of attorney, advance care directives and succession planning
• Managing estate administration matters including probate, letters of administration and complex estates
• Acting in contested estate matters including family provision claims, contested probate, executor disputes and equitable claims
• Advising on trust establishment, administration and variation, including discretionary, unit and charitable trusts
• Working with business owners on succession planning, shareholder succession and the integration of estate and commercial planning
• Advising trustees, charities and not-for-profit organisations on estate and trust matters
• Building and maintaining long-term client relationships as a trusted adviser
• Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers while supporting their technical and professional development
• Contributing to business development and strengthening referral relationships
• Collaborating with the firm's Corporate, Commercial and Litigation teams to provide integrated legal solutions

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Approximately 8+ years' post-admission experience in wills, estates and succession law
• Experience as a Special Counsel or Senior Associate ready to step into a senior leadership role
• Strong technical expertise across estate planning, estate administration and estate litigation
• Accreditation as a Specialist in Wills & Estates, or be working towards accreditation, will be highly regarded
• Experience advising high-net-worth individuals, business owners, family groups and trustees on complex matters
• A commercial mindset with the ability to integrate succession planning into broader business and wealth strategies
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills
• A collaborative leadership style and a genuine interest in mentoring junior lawyers
• The ability to manage sensitive matters with professionalism, empathy and sound commercial judgment

What's on Offer

This is an opportunity to join a firm that offers sophisticated legal work, genuine career progression and a supportive culture.

You will enjoy:

• A senior client-facing role with significant autonomy and responsibility
• High-quality work across estate planning, estate administration, contested estates, trust law and business succession
• Access to an established client base of high-net-worth individuals, business owners and private clients
• Strong cross-referral opportunities through the firm's Corporate, Commercial, Employment and Litigation practices
• Mentoring and support from experienced Partners
• Ongoing investment in your professional development, market profile and thought leadership
• A collaborative, high-performing and ego-free culture
• A competitive remuneration package that rewards contribution and performance
• The resources of an established, award-winning firm with the flexibility and agility of a growing practice

If you are an experienced Wills & Estates lawyer looking for a senior opportunity with quality work, strong client relationships and genuine career progression, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Karolina Slaby [email protected] for a confidential discussion.