Senior Associate

About us

We're passionate about what we do and want you to be too.

Moray & Agnew is one of Australia's leading mid-tier law firms with an unrivalled reputation in our markets. We're proud that our partners and our legal expertise is consistently recognised by Chambers Asia-Pacific, Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, Best Lawyers and Doyle's Guide.

With over 110 partners, our teams are organised into three strategic pillars so that we can play to our strengths:

• Insurance – including commercial classes such as financial lines, professional indemnity, public & product liability, life insurance and through to statutory classes such as workers compensation and compulsory third party.
• Commercial & Workplace – spanning corporate and commercial, construction and projects, property and environment, commercial dispute resolution, insolvency, owners' corporation and workplace law
• Government – spanning local, state and federal government

Our clients include Australian and international insurers and reinsurers, corporates of all sizes, and federal, state and local government.

Nationally, over 750 talented people deliver top-quality legal advice and representation, coupled with exceptional client service and support, across our offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle, Perth and Cairns.

One of the centres of our national practice is in Newcastle where we have more than 120 staff, making Moray & Agnew the best resourced insurance, commercial and government legal practice in the Hunter region.

Moray & Agnew is proudly committed to fostering a flexible, inclusive and diverse environment for its employees. In 2024 we were named one of the 25 most attractive firms to work at in Australia, with the fifth highest percentage of female partners, and demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion which was recognised in the AFR Law Partnership Survey in December 2023. That commitment adds to our professional approach and focus on client service excellence.

We value technical excellence and collegiality, offer a great workplace culture and excellent opportunities to further your career, whether you are just starting out, are an experienced lawyer or a business services professional.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Associate with at least five years' post-qualification experience to join our Newcastle defendant workers compensation insurance team on a full-time basis. Working closely with highly experienced partners and senior lawyers, you'll specialise in workers compensation matters, managing a mix of complex and high-volume claims for some of Australia's largest insurers, employers and government agencies.

You'll handle all aspects of litigated and non-litigated claims, including liability and quantum disputes, statutory benefits, work injury damages, merit reviews, appeals, and strategic advice on claims management. This role offers the opportunity for significant client contact, real autonomy in file management, and the chance to develop your expertise as part of a supportive and highly regarded national insurance practice with genuine opportunities for growth and development.

A hybrid and/or flexible working arrangement is available, giving you flexibility to balance career and lifestyle in Newcastle. You're encouraged to discuss with us how the role may best work for you and your needs.

About you

You are an experienced lawyer with at least five years' post-qualification experience, ideally at Senior Associate level, specialising in defendant workers compensation matters. You bring strong technical expertise across statutory and common law claims, excellent drafting and advocacy skills, and the ability to provide clear and commercial advice to clients.

You thrive in managing your own matters with autonomy while also collaborating closely with colleagues, clients and insurers. You demonstrate well-developed client relationship management skills, sound judgement, and a commitment to high-quality client service. A proactive, solutions-focused approach, combined with the ability to mentor junior team members, will see you succeed in this role.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a lawyer looking to consolidate their career as a Senior Associate in a highly regarded national defendant insurance practice, while enjoying the lifestyle benefits of Newcastle.

Culture & benefits of working with us

We offer our employees a wide range of benefits and we are confident that you will find something to love at Moray & Agnew:

• Flexible and remote working arrangements to help you balance your work and personal commitments.
• Health and wellness initiatives, including an Employee Assistance Program (access to free psychology support) for yourself and your family, free fresh fruit delivery, annual voluntary flu vaccination program, discounted gym membership, discounted health insurance and corporate discounts at over 400 leading fitness and wellbeing brands across Australia.
• Dress for your day because we trust our employees to make choices which appropriately represent the firm.
• Continuous learning and development programs to ensure that you are always being challenged, engaged and encouraged to grow.
• An active social committee and social program, as we recognise the importance of having fun and building relationships with your colleagues for job satisfaction and wellbeing.
• Paid parental leave policy, and in addition, we are accredited as a Family Inclusive Workplace and Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace.
• Purchase annual leave policy, to enable our staff the option of the increasing annual leave entitlements by up to 2 weeks per year.
• Staff discounts for personal legal services, including conveyancing and wills & estates.
• Diversity, inclusion and equality – we have a comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion policy and a number of employee reference groups (LGBTIQA+, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Gender, Parents & Caregivers, Mature Workers, and Health & Wellbeing) to ensure that the firm continues to live its values.

Corporate citizenship

Moray & Agnew is committed to being a good corporate citizen. This impacts everything we do in relation to our people, our clients, our community and our environment.

We're committed to creating an environment which recognises and values individuality, and the benefits different attributes bring to our firm and to our clients. We've been a finalist in the Hunter Business Awards for Excellence in Workplace Culture, Diversity and Inclusion.

Moray & Agnew is a signatory to the Law Society of NSW's Charter for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession and to the Australian Pro Bono Centre's National Pro Bono Target.

Our membership of the Australian Legal Sector Alliance attests to our commitment to incorporating sustainable practices into our firm, including having a sustainable and inclusive workplace, supporting our community, environmental conservation, and responsible governance.

Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan is underpinned by employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, encouraging use of Indigenous enterprises, equal opportunities and cultural awareness training.

How to apply

To apply for this role, please follow the "Apply" button below to complete the application form and attach your current cover letter and CV.

We welcome people of all backgrounds and identities to apply for this position.

Moray & Agnew encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates. In the spirit of reconciliation Moray & Agnew acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

If you require any adjustments to participate in our recruitment process, please let us know in your application.