Employment Senior Associate

About us:

At Colin Biggers & Paisley, we’re here to make a difference. We are a unique legal practice and we believe in what we do. This applies to the solutions we create for our clients, the contribution we make to our communities and the careers we build for our people.

We are lawyers of choice in the construction, property and insurance industries and maintain a strong presence in the areas of employment and safety, banking and finance, corporate and commercial and litigation and dispute resolution.

Our values of balance, respect, loyalty and integrity underpin everything we do. Our culture focuses on excellence without losing sight of work-life balance. We are committed to supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of our people.

We continually invest in our people, including learning and development opportunities and offer a formal mentoring program. We also offer other benefits such as health and fitness perks, rewards and recognition, complimentary massages and professional memberships.

We don’t just recognise our role as a corporate citizen, we put words into actions. The Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation brings together our entire community offering and is comprised of three streams - pro bono legal services, volunteering and charitable contributions. To ensure maximum impact, the core strategy of our Foundation is to promote and protect the rights of women and children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

About the role:

We are seeking an Employment Senior Associate to join our employment practice in Melbourne. Key responsibilities include:

Represent clients in conciliations, mediations, arbitrations and, when necessary, court proceedingsCollaborate with external counsel to develop case strategies and achieve favourable outcomesManage and lead the defence and resolution of employment practices claims including drafting defences, responses and settlement agreementsProvide strategic legal advice to clients on employment law compliance and risk mitigation in relation to workplace policies and practicesProviding clients with commercial legal adviceConduct thorough investigations and fact-finding related to employment disputesRegularly reviewing applicable case law and legislative changesConducting effective legal research and analysis to produce timely, commercial and legally accurate adviceManaging a robust workload, including prioritising work and delivering services effectivelyDeveloping an understanding of client operations and strategyBuild and maintain strong client relationships by understanding their business needs and delivering high quality legal solutionsContinual professional development and managing CLE requirementsMentor and guide junior solicitors and support staff, fostering professional growth and knowledge sharing

The successful candidate:

You will need to be self-motivated, energetic and adaptable in this dynamic environment. You will work closely with clients, insurers, legal counsel and other stakeholders to investigate, assess and defend claims arising from workplace issues such as discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage and hour disputes, and other employment practices liability matters. Ideal background and skills include:

5+ years' PQE with previous experience in employment mattersStrong attention to detailAbility to follow instructions wellAbility to relate to people at all levels and effectively work in a teamA strong focus on turnaround time and ability to work under pressurePractical and client focused problem solving and research skillsA strong, plain language communication styleExcellent investigative, analytical and problem solving skillsEffective communication and negotiation skillsProven ability to manage multiple complex claims simultaneously with attention to detail

Join the team:

Our culture focuses on excellence without losing sight of work-life balance. We work hard for our clients but we also make sure we put our people first. Whether it's taking advantage of our discounted gym memberships across Australia, joining one of our all-star sports teams or enjoying a complimentary massage, Colin Biggers & Paisley offers a suite of unique employee benefits.

Our people are given every opportunity for both career progression and personal growth. We continually invest in our people and support and encourage them as they grow within the practice.

Inclusion and Diversity is a priority for us. “Diversity” to us means diversity in gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and ability, and “inclusion” for us means inclusion for all. We are committed to fostering a truly diverse workforce that is inclusive of everyone. Our aim is to be recognised as a leading provider of inclusion and diversity in the legal profession.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability or ethnicity.

We look forward to receiving your application.