Special Counsel

2 days ago

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Kennedys Full time $150,000 - $200,000 per year

Build Your Practice. Lead a Team. Shape the Future.
Kennedys is seeking an exceptional Special Counsel to join our thriving employment practice in Melbourne, with Sydney also considered for the right candidate.

The Opportunity
Step into a senior role where you'll have genuine autonomy to develop your practice while working with established clients across Australia. This isn't just another legal role – it's a platform to establish yourself as a market leader.

What You'll Do

  • Lead complex workplace relations matters across Fair Work Commission, Federal Court, and state jurisdictions
  • Drive business development initiatives, including client seminars and industry presentations
  • Mentor junior lawyers and build a high-performing team
  • Handle Employment Practices Liability (EPL) work for major insurers
  • Provide strategic advisory services across discrimination, health & safety, and industrial relations

What's On Offer

  • Established Client Base: Work with ASX-listed companies, government entities, health sector agencies, and leading insurers from day one
  • Mentorship Excellence: Partner directly with Chris Molnar, one of Victoria's few Law Institute-accredited workplace relations specialists with 30 years' experience
  • Global Platform: Leverage Kennedys' international reputation for business development and career advancement
  • Leadership Opportunity: Build and lead your own team while contributing to firm-wide strategy

Essential
What We're Looking For:

  • 8+ years PQE with deep workplace relations expertise
  • Proven Fair Work Commission and Federal Court experience
  • Strong business development track record and client relationship skills
  • Natural leadership abilities with mentoring experience
  • Technical excellence across employment law, discrimination, and industrial relations

Ideal Candidate

  • Collaborative team player who thrives in a supportive environment
  • Client-focused approach with genuine relationship-building skills
  • Ambitious professional ready to take the next career step
  • Strong presentation and communication abilities

Location Notes:

  • Melbourne: Join our established team with full support structure
  • Sydney: Ideal for motivated practitioners ready to lead our expansion or those bringing an existing practice

Ready to Lead?
This role offers the perfect blend of autonomy, support, and growth potential. If you're ready to take ownership of your career while working with some of Australia's most sophisticated clients, we want to hear from you.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support in order to submit your application to Kennedys.
*
where a level of experience is indicated, this is a guideline only and represents the amount of time we would usually expect a candidate to accumulate the requisite level of experience. This does not preclude applications from candidates with more or less experience.

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