Associate

Associate | First Nations and Native Title

Slater and Gordon Lawyers are a leading personal injury and class actions law firm where every member of our team has a shared passion for our clients: we are people caring for people.

Our commitment to our people includes offering genuine work-life balance, with a hybrid work environment allowing them to split their time between home and the office. We recognise and reward high performance and have outstanding employee benefits including an extra week of annual leave, 18 weeks paid parental leave, extra-long service leave together with various ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.

**We are also pleased to let you know that Slater and Gordon were ranked in the Top 25 Attraction Firms in the annual Lawyers Weekly Legal Firm of Choice Survey for 2023-24.**

**_ Acknowledgement of Country_**_ _**Slater and Gordon acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations peoples today.

**What are we looking for?**

Our Land Rights, Disputes and Advisory practice is now seeking a qualified lawyer (4+ PAE/Associate level, with some flexibility as to level) to specialise in First Nations and native title claim work but with opportunities for more diverse experience.

Ideally you will have 4+ years post admission experience and have practiced in the area of native title and have significant experience advising Indigenous corporations and clients. Experience in providing cultural heritage advice and conducting litigation is an advantage. Experience advising a range of types of not-for-profit clients including unions will be an advantage.

The successful applicant will be engaged in evidence preparation with experts and community members, will prepare advice on discrete legal issues including in developing areas such as treaty, and work with new clients to establish relationships.

Our team acts for a major registered Aboriginal Party and Native Title applicants and respondents in Victoria but also undertakes work in other jurisdictions. In addition to native title work, the team provides a significant amount of governance and dispute-based advice to a wide range of organisations, usually not-for-profit but not always Indigenous organisations.

Beyond the First Nations, disputes and advisory work of the team, the practice also runs environmental and other land-based matters including for compulsory acquisition claimants.

Work in a team with excellent employment benefits, a supportive team environment, and the intrinsic rewards of important claimant-focussed work.

This unique opportunity is now available as a permanent full-time position, with potential flexibility for a part time role.

Duties and responsibilities will include:

- Using existing relationships and expertise to contribute to expanding the practice;
- Contributing to the preparation and conduct of existing matters, in collaboration with other team members;
- A high level of skill in task management and collaboration with other team members;
- Conducting matters through their life-cycle, independently but with supervision;
- Developing and maintaining relationships with clients to hold their trust throughout their matters;
- With involvement of other team members, conducting litigation in appropriate matters;
- Collaborating with a team of lawyers and supervisors to develop skills;
- Provide clear, practical and concise legal and commercial advice;
- Providing a tailored approach to clients to understand the context of their matter;
- Maintain and build new client relationships for the practice; and
- Providing exceptional service to clients.

**What will you bring?**

Working within a collaborative and highly regarded team, you will be a committed and enthusiastic individual who possesses the following:

- Previous practising experience in compulsory acquisition, and ideally litigation;
- Excitement to collaborate with colleagues to learn and build the practice;
- Outstanding communication & interpersonal skills;
- Exceptional negotiation skills and an ability to communicate effectively and compassionately;
- Ability to work autonomously as well as within a team environment;
**What next?