Senior Associate - Commonwealth Government (Corporate & Commercial) - Sydney / Canberra

Opportunity for high-performing lawyers to work on important and complex commercial mattersA true meritocracy model - be promoted based on your contributionFlexible work arrangements and generous leave policies including purchase, parental and performance reward leave
About usHWL Ebsworth is Australia’s largest legal partnership, with offices in every state and territory in Australia and over 270 Partners. We have exciting opportunities to join our dynamic Corporate & Commercial team in Canberra or Sydney working with partner Justin Bernau. This team works with the country's largest Australian Government agencies - as well as government-owned corporations, aboriginal corporations and private sector companies - on a broad range of complex commercial matters.
The opportunityWe have career-defining opportunities for experienced lawyers to join our highly regarded Australian Government Corporate & Commercial practice. As part of the team, you will be working on some of the most significant projects, and general commercial advisory work, for Australian Government and corporate clients. This is a unique opportunity to take your career to the next level and be a part of a growing practice.
In this role, you will:advise on significant Australian Government projects;work across Commonwealth procurement, commercial contracting, intellectual property, and technology matters;provide corporate advisory services, including corporate law, governance, structuring, transactions, and regulatory compliance; andbe part of a collaborative and supportive team.
Ideally you will have:4 years + PAE, preferably as a Corporate & Commercial lawyer in a major law firm;a strong interest in working on Australian Government commercial transactions;good interpersonal and communication skills to be able to deal with clients and other parties;excellent contract drafting and advice writing skills; anda desire to develop your career in private legal practice.
Candidates should have the ability and willingness to apply for a AGSVA Baseline clearance (or preferably hold a Baseline clearance).
Our offeringUnrivalled career pathways: Our unique meritocracy model proudly offers our staff career development that is clearly articulated and transparent, 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 compared to our competitors. Our 180-day career forecasting sessions provide the platform to fast-track your progression.Culture: Be part of a firm renowned for its friendly and down-to-earth culture, where your work is recognised nationally.Prestige: Join a firm consistently ranked at the forefront of the Australian legal market, including ranked as a National Tier 1 Government Practice (Best Law Firms 2027).
How to applyTo 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 would 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 Gianni Sgualdino (gsgualdino@hwle.com.au) for a confidential discussion.