Senior Associate, Disputes

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Senior Associate to join our Band 1 and award winning Dispute Resolution team to be based in Brisbane.

In this role you will work closely with leading partners Jacqueline Wootton, Elizabeth Poulos, Clare Smethurst and Mathew Shelley as well as other distinguished partners and senior lawyers across the local, national and global group. This position will offer exposure to a diverse range of matters for local, national and international clients, including commercial and corporate disputes in various dispute resolution settings (litigation and arbitration), class actions, investigations (regulatory and internal) as well as other complex and strategic advisory work.

You will have responsibility for delivering an excellent client service, handling files, identifying issues and proactively providing solutions. You will play an important role in supporting business development opportunities with existing and new clients. You will be a key member of a highly motivated and innovative team in Brisbane, together with colleagues in our interstate and international offices.

We will provide you with extensive client exposure and opportunities to develop a network of relationships where you will benefit from exceptional learning opportunities working in a team of highly ambitious and collaborative lawyers.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• an unrestricted Australian or New Zealand practicing certificate;

• 5+ years' commercial litigation experience from a leading top tier, national or international private practice; or an in-house environment;

• an excellent academic record coupled with strong legal skills and a practical mindset;

• a proactive approach and desire to be an integral member of our leading and supportive team;

• an ability to work to tight timeframes, collaboratively and at times autonomously;

• excellent communication skills and ability to demonstrate collegiality within a team;

• have a hunger to learn and develop and be part of maintaining a market-leading practice.

Please include a copy of your LLB, JD or LLM academic transcript(s), including in-progress Masters' transcripts with your application.

The team

With a multi-disciplinary global disputes team of world-leading sector specialists and regional experts, the Disputes team provides commercial insight and legal advice which is described by Chambers and Partners as a 'Dispute Resolution powerhouse that consistently tops the rankings across the world'.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramers' Disputes group is ranked as a Tier 1 Dispute Resolution Firm (Legal 500, 2025) and ranked a Band 1 Dispute Resolution Firm (Chambers Asia Pacific 2025).

What you can expect from 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.

• For more benefits on offer such as our 26 weeks paid parental leave, holistic wellbeing fund or home office allowance please click here.

• 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.

For any questions or a confidential discussion, please contact Carissa Bartels, Recruitment Manager on

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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.