Careers

• Join a team with a proven track record of talent from junior solicitor all the way to partnership
• Enjoy a combination of autonomy, mentorship, flexible work arrangements, generous leave policies and our flash offices at 447 Collins Street

About us

HWLE is not your typical law firm. Our rapid rise to become the largest legal partnership in Australia shows that in our case, the differences are real. We deliver first class legal advice to our government and commercial clients in every state and territory across Australia. Firm wide, we have over 270 Partners and 1900 people.

The opportunity

We have an opportunity in our new Owners Corporations Law team within the highly regarded Melbourne General Insurance practice group working with Partner Jacomb Bell.

You'll will act in a diverse range of litigated matters including property damage, water ingress, losses caused by theft, acoustic disturbance claims, governance disputes and insurance claims, while also providing coverage and exposure advice to the strata insurers.

In addition to insured defence work, the role offers exposure to the full spectrum of Owners Corporations advisory and dispute work, including governance, compliance and building‑related claims. You will work closely with strata managers and committees, delivering clear advice grounded in a strong understanding of how Owners Corporations operate in practice.

You'll be

• running an autonomous file load, with support from junior lawyers and supervision from experienced partners to support ongoing development;
• engaging directly with clients, including insurers, strata managers and committees, and contributing to business development and client relationships; and
• acting on behalf of Owners Corporations in litigated property damage, statutory liability and governance claims (including claims under the Water Act and Owners Corporations Act).
• advise Strata insurers on litigation and coverage exposure for their Owners Corporation insureds.
• advising on Owners Corporation governance, including statutory compliance, fee levying mechanisms, rule breaches, repair obligations and dispute management.
• pursuing claims on behalf of Owners Corporations for building defects, cladding issues and third-party maintenance obligations.
• advising on the establishment of, and changes to, Owners Corporations including rules, lot liability and entitlements, service contracts, leases and licenses and boundary settings.
• benefit from close interaction with and hands-on training from partners and senior team members.

To succeed in this role, ideally you'll have

• 3+ years PAE acting in litigated matters
• demonstrated experience in Owners Corporation / strata law, particularly in litigated disputes
• the ability to manage a file load autonomously, while delegating work tasks effectively
• great interpersonal skills to be able to deal with stakeholders, other parties to litigation and the courts
• excellent written skills and ability to use plain English to explain legal concepts concisely
• a desire to develop your career and professional networks in the general insurance industry
• a ‘can do’ approach and a team player

What we offer

• Unrivalled career pathways: Our unique meritocracy model proudly offers our staff career development, promoting talent based solely on merit. Our size, range of experience and competitive pricing model will provide you with everything you need to succeed. Unlike our competitors, our Solicitor to Partner ratio enables greater mentoring and client engagement compared to our competitors. Our 180 day career forecasting sessions provide the platform to fast-track your progression.
• Work-Life Balance: We offer flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance
• Location: Our cutting-edge office is conveniently located in the heart of the Melbourne CBD amidst a fast-pace, high-networking legal community. Enjoy working in a state-of-the-art office environment with access to modern end of trip facilities.
• Great culture and a huge networking platform: Be part of a firm renowned for its friendly and down-to-earth culture. We also have sports clubs, social club and monthly firmwide drinks.
• Impact: Join a firm consistently ranked at the forefront of the Australian legal market, where your work is recognised nationally.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV via the 'Apply' function. Applicants must have full working rights in Australia and a valid practising certificate to apply. HWLE also strongly encourages applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

HWLE strives to create an inclusive environment where our people want and feel comfortable to bring their entire selves to work. Varied perspectives contribute to our collective success so whatever your background, we'd love to hear from you and encourage you to apply. If you have reasonable accessibility requirements that will enable you to participate equitably in our recruitment process, please reach out to Gabrielle Saunders for a confidential discussion.