Special Counsel

About Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers

Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers is a mid-tier law firm with offices in Sydney, Parramatta, Campbelltown, Melbourne, Wollongong, Hobart and Newcastle.

We provide specialised legal services in wills and estate planning, probate and estate administration, estate disputes including Family Provision Act claims, tax and trusts law and charities law, and additionally, property transactions, commercial advisory, general litigation and dispute resolution and employment & industrial relations advice.

Our clients are a mix of private clients, SMEs, registered organisations and charities.

We are committed to fostering diversity within our practice and empowering our staff by offering encouragement, opportunities, and the necessary resources to continually challenge and advance their skills and career objectives.

Firm Benefits

• A blend of working in the office & remotely
• Internal learning and development programs
• IT equipment provided to our people to work remotely
• Wellbeing program, including corporate massages, annual flu injections, access to an Employee Assistance program and annual COD Health dollars towards your health & wellbeing
• Social gatherings and sporting groups
• Annual Christmas gift

About the Role:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly capable, experienced, confident, motivated Lawyer with a minimum of 8-10 years relevant post qualification experience to take on an established role in our specialised wills, estate planning and estate administration team.

Strong experience in estate planning and estate administration is essential for this role. Experience with estate disputes is not essential but desired. A portable practice is not essential but would be supported if you were to bring one with you.

In this role, you will lead a team of paralegals and a junior solicitor. This role provides opportunity for advancement to a partnership commensurate with experience and performance.

You will have proven experience in complex estate planning and the trust law and tax law implications of developing an estate plan as well as solid experience in estate administration.

The wills, estate planning and estate administration team sits within a broader team which includes property, commercial and charity law practitioners, headed by two Partners. Also supporting the wills, estate planning and estate administration team are experienced and capable litigation and family law teams.

Your success will be measured by:

• Ability to think strategically and solve complex problems
• Be in direct contact with clients and provide clear, comprehensive, accurate, practical and timely advice.

Commensurate with your experience:

• Your ability to advise on all aspects of estate planning and estates administration including the drafting of and advising on Will drafting, testamentary trusts, POAs, EGAs, probate applications and applications for letters of administration coupled with a sound understanding of the trust and tax law implications and Family Provision Act implications
• Managing a diverse caseload and ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality legal services

What We Are Looking For:

• 8-10+ years' post-qualification experience in estate planning, wills and estate administration law ideally gained in private practice
• Commensurate with experience a comprehensive knowledge of estate planning, wills and estate administration law with the ability to give clear, sound, accurate, sensible and practical advice
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and client management skills
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships
• Demonstrated strong research skills
• Ability to use core platforms and technology
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise work and manage competing deadlines
• A collaborative approach and demonstrated business development skills

We have a great reputation for having a friendly and supportive work environment and a team of talented and collaborative staff and we take pride in our culture of providing clients with traditional personal service.

How to Apply:

If you are excited about this opportunity and what we have to offer, please submit your application via SEEK. For any inquiries, please contact Nicole Caltagirone on

We require successful applicants to provide a satisfactory police clearance prior to commencing employment.