Legal Assistant, Leveraged Finance

At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why many are incredibly longstanding. And we enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 100 years.

We are where you need us to be. We are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. Our international footprint is extensive and committed.

We are at our best tackling complexity and navigating change. We work alongside you on demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, ESG, infrastructure and resources. And we're focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world, including technology and digitalisation.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition - which is to help you achieve yours.

Your goals. Our ambition.

The Opportunity

We're looking for a proactive, detail-savvy Legal Assistant to join our Leveraged Finance team in the Finance & Restructuring practice group. You'll be supporting Partner Hayley Neilson and a team of senior lawyers.

If you love being the go-to person who keeps things humming - and you're energised by helping build your partner's practice - this could be your next move.

Working hours: 9am – 5:30pm, Monday to Friday

Hybrid setup: Once you're settled, enjoy one WFH day each week – flexible to suit the team's needs.

What your day might look like

• Managing matters, time entries, and billing with precision (Aderant Expert experience is a plus).
• Coordinating Hayley's calendar, meetings, and travel - keeping everything running like clockwork.
• Creating and managing documents using Microsoft Office and iManage.
• Supporting business development – helping prepare pitch materials, capability statements, and client-focused documents that help the team stand out.
• Collaborating with legal assistants in other practice groups on joint matters with respect to client management (including pricing, engagement letters, WIP updates etc and business development activities).
• Organising client events and relationship activities - from coffee catch-ups, training sessions to formal lunches/dinners.
• Collaborating with and mentoring Administrative Assistants.

What you bring

You're a confident communicator, a natural organiser, and someone who's always thinking two steps ahead. You also:

• thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment—staying cool under pressure while consistently delivering polished, high-quality work;
• have experience supporting Partners in a legal environment;
• have end-to-end billing experience;
• demonstrate strong time management and the ability to juggle priorities with ease;
• promote a proactive mindset and a passion for helping your team grow client relationships;
• have experience with matter management and mentoring junior team members.

Note: We're not currently considering university students for this role.

Why join us?

• We're a world leading international law firm with a global team of over 6,000 professionals across 26 offices. As the market leader in Australia, we are committed to high performance, collaboration, diversity and digital innovation. We are client-centred, commercially driven, and renowned for our solution-focused expertise. We will align your growth with our ambitions.
• We make your personal and professional growth our business. And as part of the team, our ambition is yours too. Wherever you are in your career: grow and help the firm grow with you.
• We will provide opportunities to learn on the job as well as a mix of learning opportunities tailored to you. Daily experiences, supportive challenges, team collaboration, mentors, and structured learning opportunities help you to expand your knowledge and reach your goals.
• We value your wellbeing, both at home and work and we place a strong emphasis on mental health. If you need support, you'll have it and we'll empower you to harness your personal strengths, navigate uncertainty, embrace opportunities, and effectively manage things within your control.
• Join us to be part of a human, bold and outstanding team at Australia's market leading law firm.

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.

Team

Office Operations

Working Pattern

Full time

Location

Sydney

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.