Senior Associate/Special Counsel

Senior Associate/Special Counsel - Employment & Workplace Law

Sydney NSW, Australia

Posted Monday 27 October 2025 at 1:00 pm

Since our launch in mid-2022, Avant Law’s commercial division has been on a phenomenal growth journey, building a team of around 30 staff across 4 major Australian cities, and counting. Drawing on our heritage as part of the Avant Mutual Group, Australia’s leading medical organisation with over 130 years of history, Avant Law has supported more than 2,000 clients, by delivering specialised commercial legal advice across the medical, health and broader business sectors.

Our Employment & Workplace team is seeking a Senior Associate or Special Counsel to join us on a permanent, full-time basis. The role may be based in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne. The role will report to Partner and Head of Employment & Workplace, Stephen Schoninger. Stephen has over 20 years’ experience practising exclusively in employment, industrial relations and discrimination laws, including at large national and global law firms, and a genuine interest in mentoring and developing the lawyers in his team.

Our Employment & Workplace lawyers work closely with our clients to provide pragmatic legal advice across all aspects of employment and workplace law. Our Employment & Workplace team provides legal services to businesses and individuals across industries including medical and allied health, professional services, insurance, utilities and media.

Responsibilities

- managing and supporting other lawyers to manage legal files under partner supervision, advising clients on a broad remit of employment and workplace law issues, including:
- employment contracts, contractor agreements, services and facilities agreements and workplace policies;
- compliance, including award compliance and wage theft;
- performance, conduct, discipline and termination;
- restructuring and redundancy;
- sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination;
- workplace surveillance, privacy and record keeping; and
- legal risk management strategy;

- representing clients in workplace claims (including unfair dismissal, adverse action, discrimination, sexual harassment, stop bullying and breach of contract claims);
- the conduct of workplace investigations and delivery of workplace training;
- advising on and acting in restraint of trade proceedings.

Qualifications

- have a relevant law degree with strong academic results and hold or be eligible to hold a supervised practising certificate;
- have a minimum of 6+ years demonstrated experience in employment law;
- have excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- enjoy business development; and
- be a self-starting, bright and enthusiastic team player, with high level time management skills and attention to detail.

Why work for Avant Law, Employment & Workplace?

- you will be joining a close-knit team of high-performing lawyers working in an open and collaborative environment;
- you will receive mentorship and guidance, with comprehensive training and development opportunities;
- strong career progression opportunities;
- an inclusive, hybrid and flexible work environment;
- excellent remuneration and benefits.

For further information please contact Lisa Craddock, Talent Acquisition Business Partner on lisa.craddock@avant.org.au.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Avant supports doctors so they can serve Australia/'s diverse communities. Having diversity in our workforce brings valuable perspectives and strengthens our ability to support healthcare professionals.

We therefore welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those with caring responsibilities.

Our inclusive workplace is somewhere everyone can succeed.

Ready to join us? If you/'re passionate about supporting Australia/'s healthcare professionals, we/'d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please don/'t hesitate to contact us at careers@avant.org.au

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