Lawyer - Medical Insurance, General Liability and Institutional Abuse

Litigation and Dispute Resolution | Melbourne Metropolitan

Closing date: 13/09/2025

DISCOVER more opportunities to DEVELOP your talents and THRIVE in a dynamic legal landscape.

K&L Gates' complex commercial litigation and disputes practice has tremendous capabilities and is well-equipped to take on the most complex and difficult engagements anywhere, anytime around the globe. Our dispute resolution lawyers are recognised as being some of the foremost practitioners in their field with our Australian practice recognised in Legal 500 and Best Lawyers.

We are seeking experienced first year lawyers to join our Insurance Litigation team in Melbourne on a full-time basis. This role will see you work alongside highly regarded partners Peter McGrath, Emma Dawes and Hannah Jankiewicz in a highly collaborative and supportive team.

The practice focuses on –

• defending medical malpractice claims brought against Victorian public health organisations, health care providers and individuals in the Victorian Courts.
• public liability and personal injury claims where we act for government departments, public authorities and community service organisations.
• acting for the State of Victoria and community service organisations in claims involving allegations of abuse of children in care and institutional liability.

The team has a depth of experience and a strong foundation for any lawyer who has a desire to build a specialisation in these areas and work within a talented team of dedicated specialists.

About the role

This role presents a fantastic opportunity to join one of Australia's largest teams in the medical defence area where you will provide exceptional legal advice to clients, conduct defence as required, assist the senior lawyers and appear in court.

You will work closely with a supervising partner or special counsel/senior associate and will assist in the day to day running of files while receiving mentoring from senior members of the team. You will further advance your career via exposure to a range of matters including medical negligence, personal injury, common law claims and coronial inquests. You will also be encouraged to be involved in firm activities and committees.

About you

We value our culture at K&L Gates and are proud of our friendly and respectful reputation.

Our Insurance Litigation team are passionate about what they do and genuinely enjoy working with one another. Our lawyers are highly skilled, and we are looking for a likeminded individual who, in addition to possessing technical excellence, embodies the spirit of collaboration.

To be successful in this role you will have 12 months plus post qualification experience with a litigation background, ideally working in private practice on matters relating to medical malpractice, public health, personal injury or WorkCover or institutional liability.

You are hardworking, dedicated and possess a high level of integrity when dealing with clients and colleagues. A high level of client service is expected as are excellent organisation, written and oral communication skills.

The extras

K&L Gates promotes equal opportunities for all employees to progress in their careers.

Initiatives include:

• Structured mentoring program
• Professional development programs
• Strategic planning program for business development
• Momentum Program for women and men who are taking a period of parental leave and wish to stay on career track
• 26 weeks paid parental leave
• Flexible working options
• Volunteering opportunities
• Health and wellbeing programs - including wellness subsidies
• Salary continuance insurance

About Us

The firm's Australian operations provide vast knowledge of the Australian legal marketplace across a wide spectrum of industries. With lawyers located in four established offices in Australia's leading financial and commercial centres and possessing substantial experience.

At K&L Gates, we foster an inclusive and collaborative environment across our fully integrated global platform that enables us to diligently combine the knowledge and expertise of our people to create teams that provide exceptional client solutions. We marry process with vision, success with dedication, method with passion, and innovation with creativity. The outcome: The K&L Gates Experience.

Located across five continents, we represent a broad array of leading global corporations in every major industry, capital markets participants, and ambitious middle-market and emerging growth companies. We also serve public sector entities, educational institutions, philanthropic organisations, and individuals. Our lawyers counsel clients on their most sophisticated legal challenges in all areas of corporate and regulatory law as well as litigation.

We are leaders in legal issues relating to industries critical to the economies of both the developed and developing worlds—technology, manufacturing, energy, transportation, telecommunications, financial services, and life sciences, among others.

Do you like what you see?

Please apply via our Careers page at

For more information, please contact Tania Brierley, Recruitment Consultant at

For more information about K&L Gates please see our website

Referrals from agencies not accepted at this time.

K&L Gates reserve the right to close advertising earlier at our discretion.

K&L Gates is an equal opportunity employer and promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of those with a disability. We welcome applications from people who have an indigenous and/or culturally and linguistically diverse background.

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