We welcome fearless thinkers.

For over 100 years, Maurice Blackburn has stood up for those who need us most. With courage and compassion, we extend access to justice to countless Australians. We look beyond the immediate challenge to support people in moments that matter across their lives, and continually push for better solutions for our clients. We invest in and empower our people to stand up for what we believe in and go fearlessly forward together.

We work on real cases, achieving important and positive results in real people’s lives, which is why we are one of Australia’s most respected law firms. Maurice Blackburn, experience you can count on.

About the role

Have you always wanted to work with Maurice Blackburn’s Social Justice Practice? A fantastic opportunity for a Senior Associate within the practice has arisen in our Melbourne CBD office on a full-time, 12-month fixed term contract.

Our Social Justice Practice takes on high profile and meaningful cases that deal with complex issues we are passionate about and seek to ensure that our legal work has an impact beyond the case. Every year we dedicate hundreds of hours working on pro bono legal issues, getting involved in community events and getting outcomes to matters that we might not have come across before. This is interesting and meaningful work where you can have a huge impact.

The experience we are looking for

With a passion for social justice, your litigation experience and knowledge, and exceptional interpersonal skills, coupled with your strong team focus and technical skills, will ensure your success in this role. This will be a busy and exciting opportunity for a high performing Senior Associate in our Social Justice Practice. The successful candidate will possess experience managing complex litigation, excellent legal research and legal drafting skills, strong attention to detail, effective communications skills for assisting with the management of clients and a commitment to social justice.  

This position will involve you:

• Managing day to day conduct of complex litigation in a variety of legal subject matters and jurisdictions, including preparing matters for filing, mediation, interlocutory applications and supervision of junior practitioners and support staff on files;
• Using well-developed legal and analytical skills to draft complex advice, analysis and correspondence;
• Supervising and assisting with the preparation of complex Court documents and trial preparation, including the preparation of affidavits and other evidence, including witness interviews and briefing experts;
• Managing discovery processes;
• Selecting, briefing, instructing and liaising with counsel;
• Conducting and supervising complex legal research and assessing and advising on new matters;
• Communicating and working closely with vulnerable clients;
• Working collaboratively with your Team, assisting where necessary to achieve team goals.

Skills and Attributes:   

• Experience in conducting and supervising the conduct of complex litigation including:
• Highly effective knowledge of Court procedures;
• Preparation of Court documents, including affidavits and expert evidence;
• Developing and deploying legal strategy, assessing risks and advising clients regarding same;
• Working closely and productively with counsel teams, lawyers, and clients.

• Capability to conduct and supervise complex legal research in novel and unfamiliar areas of law, assess prospective matters and provide advice on same;
• Ability to think creatively to find legal and advocacy solutions for clients;
• Proven leadership and people management skills, including experience working with teams of lawyers and support staff;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with experience providing high level client service, with empathy and compassion for often vulnerable clients;
• Exceptional written and verbal communication with lawyers, counsel and a diverse client group.

Our People Commitment comes with the following benefits:

• Ongoing coaching and career development opportunities
• 22 Weeks Parental leave with your superannuation guaranteed and back-to-work transition policy
• End of Year leave, 1 day first year, 4 days after 2 years
• Comprehensive mental health framework, including wellbeing leave (up to 4 extra days per year) and $299 reimbursement
• Fitness and wellbeing discounts
• A hybrid flex working model
• Salary Continuance & Life Insurance
• 17.5% Annual Leave Loading

… just to name a few. *T's & C's apply

Our shared values represent what we stand for and guide how we act, with Courage; Compassion; Collaboration; Fairness and Tenacity.

We love that you have a life outside of work and we’re happy to support yours. We provide you a safe, supportive and collaborative environment, backed by inclusive leaders and progressive people policies, where you can be your authentic self and thrive. Here we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, enriched by differences in ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, age and family arrangements. Applications from First Nations People are encouraged.

Are you ready to join us on a journey to extend access to justice to more Australians, in an organisation and role in which every action you take makes a difference? Apply now.

Our Circle Back Initiative partnership means we’re committed to responding to every applicant.

Please note that all successful candidates will be required to undergo background checks as part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant workplace