Associate | Climate

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 a week of shutdown leave, paid parental leave, extra-long service leave, together with various ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.

*What are we looking for?*
Our Land Rights, Disputes and Advisory practice is now seeking an experienced lawyer (ideally at Associate/4 years+ PAE level), with some flexibility as to level to specialise in climate & environment work.

You will have significant litigation experience and have practiced in areas of climate and/or environment litigation and have a natural interest in climate change, environmental protection and related laws and campaigns. Experience in planning and environment law, energy & resources, environmental regulation, land contamination, First Nations work and / or class actions is an advantage. Experience advising a range of clients, including individuals, corporates and advocacy organisations is an advantage.

The successful applicant will work collaboratively, with leadership of experienced lawyers, to identify important climate and environment claim work, assess potential claims, develop strategy for areas of work, develop client and referral relationships, and conduct matters to help harness the experience and profile of Slater & Gordon in environmental litigation and claim work to build the work of the firm in this vital area.

Other members of the Land Rights, Disputes & Advisory team have conducted significant work in environmental class actions and negotiated settlement schemes, land impairment claims and related work.

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

These unique opportunities are now available as permanent full-time positions, with potential flexibility for a part time role.

Duties and responsibilities will include

• Using your deep knowledge of climate and environment litigation, and environment sector policy/campaign work to identify key opportunities for Slater & Gordon to impact the development of the law and enforce rights for those suffering the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
• Maintain a deep understanding of developments in the environment and climate space to drive strategy for future work, maximising impact for clients and environmental outcomes.
• Bring experience in assessing novel areas of work and developing strategic relationships to partner with other bodies to advance climate and environment goals.
• Using existing relationships and develop new strategic relationships to contribute to developing strategy and 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.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with clients to hold their trust throughout their matters, including litigation.
• With involvement of other team members, conducting litigation in appropriate matters.
• Collaborating with a team of lawyers and supervisors to develop skills within the team.
• Provide clear, practical and concise legal and strategic advice including presenting advice in various formats appropriate for different audiences.

*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 climate and environment, and related legal work;
• Excitement to collaborate with colleagues to build the practice;
• Outstanding communication & interpersonal skills;
• Exceptional case analysis and development skills to identify strong claims and viable novel claims and deliver outcomes for clients;
• An interest and experience in undertaking advocacy including media comment in relation to legal issues;
• Ability to work autonomously as well as within a team environment.

*What next?*
If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply directly to Slater and Gordon. We prefer to talk with you personally and are not accepting applications from recruitment agencies.

To be eligible for this position, you must be an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or hold a valid visa with full and unrestricted working rights in Australia. Proof of work rights will be required as part of the Slater and Gordon application process.
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.

Diversity + Inclusion
Slater and Gordon is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity and ensures equal opportunities for all. Slater and Gordon is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or other legally protected attributes. We understand that everyone has different needs. If you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know in your application.