Junior Lawyer/ Senior Paralegal

Full Time Senior Paralegal/ Junior Lawyer Role

Commercial/ Development Real Estate Finance

Watson Wallace, a boutique Melbourne finance law firm, has an opportunity for an experienced paralegal, or a junior lawyer (1-3 years PQE) who meets our criteria, to join our CBD team on a full time basis.

Who, What, Why & Where

Our details can, unsurprisingly, be found online:  

We are a collegiate and highly supportive firm and our clients like us because we understand their business, their risks and their goals.  As we modest in size (OK, small), we need to compete with our mid and sometimes top-tier panel law firm peers by delivering superior service, insight and commerciality.  And so, we do.

We box well above our weight, and we stay in our lane, which is commercial real estate finance.

Your experience?

We are good trainers, and of course the learning never ends, but for this position, we really need to secure someone who can begin working on transactions without delay.

If you aren't already familiar with what commercial real estate finance law involves, not just conceptually, but in daily practice, then it's probably best for both of us if you move on to the next listing.

You'll already be intimately familiar with PEXA, drafting a wide range of commercial finance documentation (facility agreements - including bespoke conditions – security documentation, all the usual ancillaries, side deeds and all registrations).

The assessment of documents provided to us, such as building contracts, trust deeds, permits, contracts of sale (both headline and presale) and the results of the public register searches you'll also perform.  All expected and common.  Any experience with what happens when a sponsor doesn't do what they should and enforcement is needed, would be very helpful, but not essential.

You'll be actively supported, but you'll be principally responsible for taking matters from instruction right through to settlement.  We use LEAP for file management, trust account matters and billing, so you'd need to be, or quickly become, skilled in driving it.

Soft Skills = Vital Skills

We value really good tech proficiency. Not so much elite typing speeds, but more accuracy and commitment to professional presentation.  It matters.

You'll already know that sometimes things can get hectic as deadlines approach, so time management and an ability to prioritise and action multiple matters and parties, while maintaining the utmost precision, is a must.

Why Us?

We know the market and we know you have choices.  We need to sell our offering and the opportunity to you, just as much as we will assess your fitness for us and the role.

Our values, personalities and commitments would have to match. Teamwork and culture alignment is imperative and we will welcome your authentic self.

You'll also be comforted by the fact that here, we work to live, not the other way around.  Out of hours work is sometimes required (swings and roundabouts), but we like to disconnect as soon as we reasonably can.

After settling in with us, we offer the option of working from home for 2+ days a week.  We'd set up your home office, and we offer a couple of unique benefits we can discuss further in person.

If you are looking to progress and secure your career, not just change jobs, in a role and for a firm that will value you both personally and professionally; and where you will work with clients who genuinely appreciate what we do, then this could be a fit. We hope so

When/ How much?

The successful candidate will start as soon as you are able.

Remuneration?  TBA, and would be tailored to the candidate, but we don't underpay.

Next?

Please send what you have, ideally with some details on why you'd be interested, why you would be suitable and what more you'd like to know, to:

Simon Wallace

Partner

Watson Wallace