Special Counsel – Employment & Workplace Relations

Permanent / Full Time

Highly regarded, award-winning law firm seeking an experienced Special Counsel to join this high-performing team.

Special Counsel - Employment & Workplace Relations
Sydney | 8+ Years PQE
(client is also seeking Senior Associate & Partner levels)

Our client is a highly regarded, award-winning law firm with a growing Employment & Workplace Relations practice. Acting for both employers and employees, the team advises on complex litigation, strategic workplace issues and day-to-day employment matters across a broad range of industries.

Due to continued growth, an opportunity has arisen for an experienced Special Counsel to join this high-performing team.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior employment lawyer seeking sophisticated work, direct client responsibility and the chance to play a key role in the growth of a leading practice.

The Opportunity

Working alongside experienced Partners, you will advise a diverse client base including ASX-listed companies, private businesses, boards, executives, HR professionals and individuals across the full spectrum of employment and workplace relations matters.

Your work will include:
  • Acting for employers and employees in employment litigation and workplace disputes
  • Representing clients before the Fair Work Commission, Federal Court and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
  • Advising on unfair dismissal, general protections, discrimination, bullying, adverse action and industrial disputes
  • Providing strategic advice on redundancies, restructures, performance management, misconduct, workplace investigations, employee fraud, whistleblower matters and privacy issues
  • Advising executives and employees on employment contracts, termination entitlements, restraint of trade and separation negotiations
  • Drafting and negotiating employment agreements, executive contracts, contractor arrangements, confidentiality provisions and post-employment restraints
  • Advising on workplace health and safety obligations, award interpretation, enterprise agreements and underpayment compliance
  • Working closely with boards, executives and HR teams to deliver practical, commercially focused advice
  • Supervising and mentoring junior lawyers while supporting their professional development
  • Building client relationships and contributing to business development initiatives
About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:
  • Approximately 8+ years' post-admission experience specialising in employment and workplace relations
  • Experience as a Special Counsel or Senior Associate ready to take the next step
  • Strong advocacy experience before the Fair Work Commission and Federal Courts
  • A balanced background across both contentious and advisory employment matters
  • Excellent drafting, negotiation and strategic advisory skills
  • The ability to provide commercially focused, practical solutions to complex workplace issues
  • Outstanding communication and relationship management skills with clients at all levels
  • A collaborative leadership style and a genuine interest in mentoring junior lawyers
  • The confidence to manage complex matters independently while working closely with Partners on significant matters
What's on Offer

This is an opportunity to join a firm that combines sophisticated legal work with a genuinely collaborative culture.

You will enjoy:
  • A senior client-facing role with significant autonomy and responsibility
  • High-quality work across employment litigation, workplace investigations, executive advisory, unfair dismissal, general protections and strategic employment matters
  • Access to a sophisticated client base including major corporates, private businesses, executives and boards
  • Strong cross-referral opportunities with the firm's commercial, litigation and regulatory teams
  • Mentoring and support from experienced Employment Partners
  • Ongoing investment in your professional development, business 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 agility and flexibility of a growing practice
If you are an experienced employment lawyer looking to join a respected firm offering high-quality work, genuine career progression and direct client engagement, we would love to hear from you.

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

Referral reward: $1000

Legal > Lawyer - Employment / Workplace Relations > Legal

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