Senior Associate (Employment Law) – No Bottlenecks for Progression
- Run complex employment matters with real autonomy and Partner trust
- Contentious and advisory work across FWC, courts and strategy
- Hybrid flexibility backed by systems that cut admin noise
This is a national commercial firm with serious depth, but the Sydney office still feels like a place where your work is visible and your contribution matters. It’s collaborative without being soft, ambitious without being political, and structured enough to support growth without drowning you in process for the sake of it. They’re investing heavily in their employment practice and looking for a Senior Associate who wants more than just a safe seat and a predictable week.
In this role, you’ll work across the full spectrum of employment law, running matters end-to-end and advising clients when the stakes are high and the room is tense. Your days will include unfair dismissal and general protections claims, discrimination matters, and complex advisory work across the entire employment lifecycle. You’ll help employers navigate performance management, restructures, terminations and WHS issues, while also drafting and reviewing contracts, policies, enterprise agreements and settlement documents. The work spans both contentious and non-contentious matters, with a strong mix of strategy, advocacy and practical problem-solving.
You’ll work directly with an experienced Partner who is hands-on, respected in the market, and comfortable giving you real responsibility. You’ll have the autonomy to run your own matters while mentoring a junior lawyer and contributing to the development of the broader practice. There’s a strong national referral network behind you, particularly from aligned practice groups, and the firm’s systems and administrative support are built to let you focus on legal work rather than busywork.
They’re looking for an employment lawyer with at least 5 years’ post-admission experience, strong technical foundations, and a commercial mindset. You should be confident dealing directly with clients, steady under pressure, and capable of handling sensitive and complex matters without needing constant supervision. An interest in business development and profile-building is welcomed, but this isn’t a culture of forced self-promotion – credibility and consistency carry more weight than noise.
The role comes with a genuinely flexible hybrid working model, a supportive culture that values contribution over hierarchy, and a clear pathway for progression that doesn’t depend on waiting someone out as there won’t be anyone between you and the Partner you report to.
Interested? Let’s talk. With over 20 years recruitment experience, I can guarantee that your application is in good hands.
The market is small and confidentiality is key. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have or to discuss the options available in the market.
Aaron Matrljan – Partner
ALRA | Australia’s Leading Recruitment Agency
M: 0405 100 650
P: 1300 002 572
E: aaron@alra.com.au
