Senior Associate / Special Counsel, Planning & Environment

The Opportunity

An established Australian law firm with a strong national presence is seeking a Senior Associate or Special Counsel to join its Environment & Planning team in Sydney.

This is an excellent opportunity to work within a well-regarded and growing practice, advising on a broad range of complex matters across planning, environmental and administrative law. The role offers strong exposure to high-profile projects, combined with genuine support for career development and progression.

The Role

Working closely with experienced partners and a collaborative team, you’ll be involved in a diverse mix of advisory and contentious work.

You’ll act for a wide range of clients, including major corporates, developers, government bodies and institutional investors, providing strategic advice across planning approvals, environmental regulation, and administrative law matters. The role also involves litigation in superior courts and specialist jurisdictions, as well as advisory work relating to sustainability, climate risk, and evolving ESG frameworks.

You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to significant infrastructure and development projects, working alongside both domestic and international stakeholders.

You are an experienced environment and planning lawyer with 4+ years’ post-admission experience, ideally with exposure to planning, environmental, or government-related matters.

You bring strong drafting and communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, commercially focused advice. You are confident working both autonomously and as part of a team, and take a proactive approach to managing your matters and client relationships.

You’ll also have an interest in mentoring junior lawyers and contributing to a supportive and high-performing team environment.

This is a compelling opportunity to join a well-resourced and forward-thinking practice offering high-quality work, strong mentorship, and clear career progression.

You’ll benefit from working in a modern Sydney CBD office, flexible working arrangements, and a collaborative culture that values both performance and wellbeing. The firm offers meaningful opportunities for advancement, along with access to a broad national platform and high-calibre client base.