Associate / Senior Associate - Probity, Governance and Process

We are a modern Australian law firm with a leading reputation. We focus on exceptional service, operational excellence and being at the forefront of employee experience. We work closely with Australian and international businesses, organisations and governments.

About the role

We are currently looking for a capable and experienced Associate or Senior Associate with at least 3 years' post qualification experience to join the Public Law team in our growing Canberra office, with a focus on probity, governance, and process.

This is a great opportunity to develop your practice further and join a supportive and enthusiastic two partner team that is based across our Melbourne and Canberra offices. Most of the work will involve advising Commonwealth government clients on probity and commercial issues arising in major projects, procurement and contracting processes, grants administration, and corporate and public sector governance matters.

We are not only looking for someone who is wanting to work collaboratively with partners and other team members but who is focused on providing pragmatic, commercial, solutions-focussed probity advice to senior leaders within government on a range of interesting, high-profile projects. We also want that person to oversee the work of more junior members of the team and take on responsibility for managing client relationships and their ongoing work needs.

The role can be based in Canberra or Melbourne.

About you

We are looking for a practitioner who ideally:

• has sound technical legal/contract drafting and statutory interpretation skills obtained through experience in one or more of the following areas of law: commercial law, administrative law, dispute resolution and litigation, general public law
• thrives in a fast-paced environment, working on a variety of complex, sensitive, interesting and nation-building projects at any one time
• has at least 3-5 years' experience advising clients and helping solve problems, preferably as a lawyer within the public sector or working with government clients
• enjoys working collaboratively and contributing to a team environment
• has, or has the ability to obtain quickly, a strong understanding of probity, integrity in the public sector, and governance principles applicable in procurement, grants and other spending processes

You must be enthusiastic and willing to work on a range of matters, have a keen eye for detail, good communication and interpersonal skills and can demonstrate sound matter management.

You will need to be able to gain the trust and confidence of our clients, bring a level-headed and strategic perspective to problem-solving. A positive and facilitative 'can do' attitude

Why join Maddocks?

Maddocks is simply a great place to do what matters to you. We foster a culture of collaboration, learning and engagement where you will experience:

A diverse and inclusive workplace: We have been named an employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workforce Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) every year since 2004 along with being named a Silver Employer at the Australian Workplace Equality Index's 2024 LGBTQ Inclusion Awards. We promote diversity internally through our Maddocks Gender Equality Network, Maddocks CALD, Maddocks Disability Inclusion and Maddocks Pride groups.

Career Development: Learn and develop through structured learning and development programs at each stage of your career and study support programs.

Community involvement: give back to the communities in which we operate through our thriving pro bono and grants programs and staff volunteering initiatives.

Work flexibly: work in a hybrid way with part of your week in the office and support to set up your home office.

Wellbeing & Benefits: access to up to 20 weeks paid parental leave, discounted gym memberships & health insurance, salary continuance insurance, Employee Assistance Program and parents and carers wellbeing programs.

Our people are our greatest advocates and we believe this is a result of our inclusive culture and focus on complex and interesting work.

To be eligible for this role you must be legally permitted to work in Australia. Please note that unsolicited applications from agencies will not be considered at this time.

Ready for your next career move?

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