Why Baker McKenzie?

At Baker McKenzie not only do we pride ourselves on leading pay and a great culture, joining a leading Global Law firm provides unique development opportunities to grow in a highly supportive working environment throughout all stages of your life. We know our people value flexibility around when and where they work. So we are committed to offering a more adaptable way to work, we call this BAgile. As a highly valued employee we will also provide you with an extensive range of wellbeing, recognition & benefits offerings.

For more information on our benefits click here

The Role

We are currently looking for an Employment Associate to join our Employment team in Sydney.

The Team

Baker McKenzie's Employment group is a highly active area of our Australian practice. Our employment lawyers advise on all aspects of employment law including employment contracts, negotiations and disputes with trade unions, anti-discrimination suits and occupational health and safety. Conducting litigation on behalf of clients is also a key area of the practice. Although the practice primarily acts for employer and employer organisations, our lawyers have also been involved in disputation with union organizations and individual employees.

Particular areas of expertise include providing advice on all aspects of the preparation, negotiation and enforcement of employment contracts, redundancies and dealing with contractual disputes relating to employees such as breach of confidentiality agreements. We also offer expertise in drafting and advising on Commission arrangements, general advice on the negotiation and enforcement of State and Federal awards applying to employees, award interpretations, statutes, negotiating site agreements and employment conditions. Advising on Work Health & Safety matters is also a major part of the Employment practice and we frequently advise on all aspects of legislation as well as defending prosecutions. We have particular experience in litigation designed to protect an employer's clients and key employees.

Our Employment lawyers have extensive litigation experience in all aspects of employment law, and appear regularly before the Federal and State Industrial Tribunals, the Anti-Discrimination Tribunals and the Conciliation and Industrial Commissions. In dealing with industrial relations dispute, it is always our objective to attempt to conciliate rather than litigate. The group actively pursues alternative dispute resolution as a means of resolving contentious matters.

What we're looking for -

Our ideal candidate would have:

• 2+ years employment law experience with expertise in;
  
  • Industrial disputes
  • Collective bargaining
  • Drafting employment contracts
  • Employment policies and procedures
  • Employment litigation
  • Equal opportunity/discrimination
  • Occupational health and safety investigations and litigation
  • Employee transfers
  • Due diligence
• relevant experience in a top tier or leading international firm preferred;
• a strong client service orientation;
• strong technical, drafting and commercial skills;
• business development aptitude, interest, and experience;
• relevant legal qualifications;
• a strong academic background;
• excellent analytical, communication, and research skills;
• a commitment to high work standards and strong attention to detail;
• an ability to demonstrate initiative and proactivity;
• an ability to develop strong relationships with clients and to take responsibility for this relationship;
• an ability to work well in a team environment (including across Australian offices and internationally);
• a willingness to learn; and
• a willingness to develop others through mentoring and sharing experiences.

About the Firm

At Baker McKenzie, we are different in the way we think, work and behave. The first local, truly global law firm in Australia, we commenced operations in Sydney in 1964, in Melbourne in 1982 and in Brisbane in 2014. Our lawyers work seamlessly with our global colleagues, collectively providing a capacity of more than 13,000 people, including over 6,500 lawyers who work alongside our clients to drive growth that is both sustainable–and inclusive.

Baker McKenzie Australia can offer you access to complex, market leading matters working with some of the world's best legal minds–people who know the law and who understand business. We have an unrivalled ability to provide training and secondment opportunities across our global network. Locally, we have an inclusive culture of learning, coaching and opportunity where you will work in small teams on matters that often cross borders. We value people who think ahead and get noticed.

Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

Baker McKenzie is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive culture for all its employees, with equal opportunity for all to progress and have a meaningful career with our Firm. Our mission is to foster an environment where individuals of every ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, disability, carer status and working style may succeed professionally and fully contribute to the goals of the Firm. Our bAgile program encourages a range of flexible work opportunities for all. We invite you to let us know of any reasonable adjustments you require to equitably participate in the recruitment process or in performing the requirements of this role.

Our application process

Please apply by selecting the "apply now" link below and completing an online application form.

As part of our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive we encourage applications from all genders, abilities and cultural backgrounds including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.