Careers

Advising the clients behind the capital

• Genuine pathway for career progression in a merit-based environment

• Flexible 3:2 work arrangements
• Generous leave policies including purchased, parental and performance reward leave

Most corporate lawyers spend their careers three layers removed from the people whose capital is actually at stake. This role puts you in the room with them.

You will work directly with Partner Tom Morgan building one of the most distinctive practices in the Australian market: ongoing counsel to family offices and private capital groups, combined with a high-quality private M&A and capital raising deal flow. The clients are principals: families, founders and investors who value judgement, discretion and relationships that last decades, not deal cycles. The platform is Australia's largest legal partnership.

If you are an experienced Senior Associate who wants more than a seat on someone else's machine, read on.

The work

• Family office and private capital advisory: ongoing family office and family counsel mandates, investment strategy and structuring. This is the fastest-growing part of the practice and the most defensible work in the profession.
• Private M&A: share and asset acquisitions and divestments, shareholders' agreements, on both buy-side and sell-side.
• Equity capital markets: private capital raisings, venture capital, IPOs and secondary raisings, acting for companies and investors across the capital lifecycle.
• Cross-border work: the practice maintains active referral relationships with leading US and international firms, with direct exposure to inbound and outbound transactions.

About you

• 5+ years' PQE (Senior Associate) in corporate law, M&A and/or capital markets, from a well-regarded corporate practice, with transaction experience in private M&A and capital raisings.
• You run deals, not just documents. You are the person clients call when the partner is on a plane, and you are comfortable being that person.
• First-rate drafting and sound command of the Corporations Act, ASX Listing Rules and the mechanics of private treaty transactions.
• Genuine client instincts. You anticipate what matters, communicate like a commercial adviser and hold your own with principals.
• Appetite to build. You want to learn how a practice is grown, not just how a deal is closed, and you are ready to be visible in the market.

Why this role is different

• Stepping into a network you cannot build alone. You will work alongside a partner with one of the broadest and deepest networks in the Australian market, spanning CEOs of some of Australia’s largest financial institutions, owners of large market-leading businesses and some well known media and sporting identities. Those relationships shape the work, and over time they become part of yours.
• A practice with a point of view. This is not generalist corporate work with a marketing label. It is a deliberate strategy serving private capital, and you will help drive it.
• Direct partner access, zero leverage layers. You work with the partner, daily. Your development is the model, not a by-product.
• Principals, not intermediaries. Founders, families and investors who pick up the phone to you.
• A front-row seat on practice building. Referral networks, client events, thought leadership, pitching. You will see how it is actually done, and do it.
• A real runway. This role is built for someone on a partnership trajectory, with responsibility extended as fast as you can take it.

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.
• Culture: Be part of a firm renowned for its friendly and down-to-earth culture.
• 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. HWL Ebsworth also strongly encourages applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

HWL Ebsworth strives to create an inclusive environment where our people want and feel comfortable bringing 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 Laura Harrison for a confidential discussion.