Associate/Senior Associate | Disputes & Investigations | Melbourne

About youWe are looking for an Associate or Senior Associate (4 - 6 years PQE) to join our Disputes and Investigations team based in Melbourne.

You will thrive in a collaborative environment, working closely with Partners across our Melbourne and national offices, while also demonstrating the confidence and capability to contribute to the development of litigation strategy and manage and progress matters independently with the support and guidance of your supervising Partners.  Your ability to delegate, supervise and mentor junior lawyers in an inclusive and supportive way will be highly valued.

We are seeking individuals with sound working knowledge of commercial litigation and case management procedures, gained in private practice.  Experience conducting litigation in the Commercial Court of the Supreme Court of Victoria will be highly regarded.  You will also demonstrate strong interpersonal and business development skills, commercial acumen and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset. This role presents a unique opportunity to take the next step in your career with a high-performing team.

The successful candidate for one of the two roles will work closely with two of our Partners, Jane Kupsch and Natalie McCabe, as well as supporting the group more generally. You will have experience in a range of different types to litigation as this role will work across all Partners and not specialising in one team. 

The role
Our Disputes & Investigations group is recognised for its expertise in managing complex and high-stakes commercial disputes. With deep experience across litigation, mediation, arbitration, and negotiated settlements, the team operates across a broad spectrum of industries.  The group is well-known and respected for its application of sound legal, forensic, investigative and evidentiary skills in complex, multi-party litigation and disputes.

The Disputes & Investigations group covers all aspects of commercial litigation and financial regulatory matters as well as dispute resolution. Working closely with partners in Melbourne and across our national offices, you’ll join a dynamic, and highly regarded team, with an existing portfolio of diverse clients and matters.  Our clients include ASX listed companies, corporate regulators, private corporates and high net worth individuals, and we advise on a broad array of contentious issues including:

• commercial and contractual disputes;
• misleading or deceptive conduct;
• regulatory matters;
• directors/shareholders disputes; and
• negligence claims.

The team has a particular interest in complex, large scale disputes that involve reputational risk.

About Gadens

Gadens is the only law firm to be recognised in AFR BOSS Magazine's Best Places to Work 2024, which ranks Australia and New Zealand's best workplaces across nine industries. We are a leading, independent Australian law firm, with a clear vision and strategy for the future. We help people achieve their purpose in a complex world, by leading by example, inspiring others, innovating and building something we are all proud of. We have a growth strategy and as part of our evolution and journey, we are creating a modern law firm that will rival Australia's top tier firms.   

At Gadens, we:

• develop and inspire our people;
• do the right thing and make an impact;
• work with quality clients in our chosen markets;
• solve problems with people and technology working seamlessly together; and
• are a widely recognised and respected brand.  

We are always on the lookout for strong performers to join our growing firm. To find out more please visit www.gadens.com.   

What we offer

• Financial - Market‑competitive fixed remuneration, a generous incentive program recognising both billable performance and broader contribution and an employee recruitment referral program.
• Flexibility – Hybrid working arrangements. This includes flexible working hours as well as equipment to support working from home.
• 30 weeks paid parental leave – Our market leading policy includes 30 weeks paid parental leave for all permanent staff, with no tenure required. This includes superannuation contributions while on parental leave, an external coach to support through various stages of parental leave and support and paid leave for surrogacy and IVF treatment.
• Annual leave - Ability to purchase up to an additional 3 weeks of annual leave a year as well as a gifted day of leave for your birthday month.
• Health & Wellbeing – We offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits to empower and support our people including, regular social events, employee assistant program, discounted private health insurance, annual flu vaccinations, skin checks, recognition awards and much more!
• Learning & Development – We promote a culture of continuous learning opportunities including access to professional development for all employees, coaching, mentoring study support as well for further education.
• Community involvement – We give back to the community through our well-established pro bono program as well as staff volunteering initiatives.

About Gadens

Gadens is a leading, independent Australian law firm, with a clear vision and strategy for the future. We help people achieve their purpose in a complex world, by leading by example, inspiring others, innovating and building something we are all proud of.  
At Gadens, we:

• develop and inspire our people
• do the right thing and make an impact
• work with quality clients in our chosen markets
• solve problems with people and technology working seamlessly together
• are a widely recognised and respected brand.

We are always on the lookout for star performers to join our growing firm. To find out more please visit www.gadens.com