Careers

• Broaden your experience with a rapidly growing Planning, Environment & Government Practice Group
• A true meritocracy model - be promoted by your contribution and not held back by outdated structures
• Flexible 3:2 work arrangements
• Generous leave policies including purchased, parental and performance reward leave

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. Our Planning, Environment and Government practice group comprises 27 people, including 7 Partner

The opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Associate or Special Counsel to join our growing Environment & Planning practice. We are committed to mentoring and investing in your growth as a lawyer. You will be involved in varied and complex work.

Led by Jane Hewitt, our team acts for ASX 200 corporations, listed REITs and developers, Commonwealth and State Government Agencies and Local Government clients. You'll provide expert planning, administrative and environmental law advice, and act in litigation in the Land and Environment Court and Supreme Court. The team advises on climate related law and ESG obligations. You'll also work with Australian and international clients on Australia's largest rail and air infrastructure projects.

To be successful in this role, ideally you will have

• 4+ years PAE in planning, environment and/or government law
• strong written and communication skills
• appetite to mentor junior lawyers
• client focused and team player mindset

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. Our 180 day career forecasting sessions provide the platform to fast-track your progression.
• Location: Our cutting-edge office is conveniently located in the heart of the Sydney 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 Laura Harrison for a confidential discussion.