Lawyer - Employment Relations and Safety

Good people. Good work. Great opportunities.
McCullough Robertson is a commercially focused firm with a proud 100 year history, working with high-calibre national and international clients. We work on big and challenging matters, approaching each day with dedication and professionalism.
We provide exceptional opportunities for our employees to grow and succeed through extensive training, career development, speaking opportunities at events, and importantly working directly with clients daily. Our teams work together and support one another for clients and matters to achieve individual, team and firm-wide goals.
Backed by a national team of over 450 staff located in Brisbane and Sydney, McCullough Robertson combines a century of experience with a modern, collaborative approach, making us a big firm, without the attitude.
The TeamOur Employment Relations and Safety group, comprising over 20 lawyers based in Brisbane and Sydney, is one of Australia's leading workplace practices. We partner with private sector clients with recognised brands and with government clients (State, Local and Federal) to navigate complex employment, industrial relations and work health and safety challenges.
From high-stakes litigation and enterprise bargaining negotiations to workplace investigations, discipline processes, organisational change projects and responding to major safety incidents, our team is trusted to advise on some of the most significant workplace matters in the market. We combine deep technical expertise with practical, commercial advice, helping clients achieve outcomes that work in the real world.
The Role This is a Brisbane opportunity with a difference. We are opening the role up to Sydney-based lawyers who are looking for exposure to something different, without having to relocate.You will work predominantly with Tom Reaburn, a highly regarded partner and true WHS specialist with 15 years’ experience spanning regulation, prosecution and advisory work. Having started his career as a WHS inspector and prosecutor, Tom brings a unique perspective to complex WHS matters and has been involved in some of the country’s largest WHS prosecutions and coronial inquests. You will work closely with Tom on high-profile and complex safety matters, while also gaining exposure to his employment relations and anti-discrimination practice, including matters involving senior executives and major Australian businesses. This is a rare opportunity to learn from a specialist with experience on both sides of the regulatory process and develop expertise across some of the most complex WHS and employment matters, all while remaining based in Sydney.
Your work will be varied, challenging and genuinely interesting. One week you might be appearing in the Fair Work Commission, advising on an employee’s suspension or ill-health management. The next, you could be addressing psychosocial risks in a redundancy process, advising on a workplace conduct complaint, working through an underpayment dispute or negotiating with an industrial organisation. You will also have the opportunity to work on significant safety matters, including incident responses and regulator investigations, gaining exposure to some of the most complex and significant WHS matters in the country.
ExperienceWe are looking for lawyers with at least three years' post-admission experience who are curious, commercially minded and genuinely passionate about employment, industrial relations and workplace safety. You may be a lawyer ready for the next challenge, or a Senior Associate looking for greater responsibility and the opportunity to help shape a growing practice and mentor others.
Whilst working closely with Tom, you will also work across matters for the other three Brisbane partners, so excellent time management, matter management and communication skills are critical. Most importantly, you will enjoy tackling complex problems, building strong client relationships and working as part of a collaborative, high-performing team.
If you're a Sydney-based lawyer looking for challenging work, great clients and the opportunity to broaden your experience without having to leave Sydney, we would love to hear from you.
BenefitsAt McCullough Robertson, we encourage a balanced work environment. Our teams enjoy having the opportunity to work in a supportive environment while having fun and achieving results. Our employees enjoy flexible working arrangements, including work from home options and adjusted working hours where required.
We offer the following benefits for our employees:Dedicated diversity committee with an innovative program focusing on all areas of diversity and inclusion;Attractive further education program and supportive learning and development opportunities throughout your whole career;Mentoring and sponsorship opportunities as well as coaching and leadership support;Holistic Health and Wellbeing program including subsidised gym membership and active social and sporting committees; andIn-house barista and end-of-trip facilities.
Inclusion and Diversity We are a leader in diversity and inclusion and are committed to creating an environment where our employees want to come to work.
An award-winning law firm, we have received the prestigious Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation for 15 consecutive year and been recognised as a Gold Tier Small Employer at the 2026 Australian LGBTQ+ Inclusion Award
Please submit your application online. Alternatively, please contact Sophie Sims on 07 3914 8462 for a confidential discussion.
We're an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.