Disputes Senior Associate

About us:
  
At Colin Biggers & Paisley, we’re here to make a difference. We are a unique legal practice and we believe in what we do. This applies to the solutions we create for our clients, the contribution we make to our communities and the careers we build for our people.
  
We are lawyers of choice in the construction, property and insurance industries and maintain a strong presence in the areas of employment and safety, banking and finance, corporate and commercial and litigation and dispute resolution.
  
Our values of balance, respect, loyalty and integrity underpin everything we do. Our culture focuses on excellence without losing sight of work-life balance. We are committed to supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of our people.

We continually invest in our people, including learning and development opportunities and offer a formal mentoring program. We also offer other benefits such as health and fitness perks, rewards and recognition, complimentary massages and professional memberships.
  
We don’t just recognise our role as a corporate citizen, we put words into actions. The Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation brings together our entire community offering and is comprised of three streams - pro bono legal services, volunteering and charitable contributions. To ensure maximum impact, the core strategy of our Foundation is to promote and protect the rights of women and children and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  
About the team:

Colin Biggers & Paisley has more than a century of property industry experience, giving us a unique understanding and knowledge that sets us apart from our competitors.

Our offering includes a specialised Property Disputes and Advisory team.  Working closely with our transactional colleagues, our team handles all aspects of contested business and real estate related matters. 
  
About the partner:

Leanne Walker is a highly regarded commercial litigator with over 20 years' experience handling litigated disputes across a variety of industries. From 2015 to 2020, Leanne served as the National Head of the Disputes Resolution team, and is currently leading our Property Disputes and Advisory team.

Leanne specialises in commercial dispute resolution with a particular emphasis on property and development disputes, leasing, strata law, land contracts, and access to land issues. She has experience in alternative dispute resolution, including expert determination and mediation.
  
About the role:

This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Associate to work in an established litigation practice specialising in commercial and property disputes.  

• Provide advice and manage files in a clear and logical manner within required timeframes whilst developing sound case management strategies
• Foster and maintain strong client relationships through participating in value adding activities that support clients and keep them informed of case progress during the matter
• Draft, engross and settle varied types of advices and legal correspondence
• Drafting pleadings
• Appear in Court for call-overs, directions hearings, motions or to instruct Counsel
• Speak to witnesses and briefing experts
• Attend Mediations and Settlement Conferences
• Train and mentor paralegals and graduate/junior lawyers as required
• Proactively share knowledge, experience and insights with the immediate and wider team in order to enhance client experience and internal knowledge management
• Ensure understanding and compliance with firm’s policies and procedures  

About you:  

• 4+ years PQE in property disputes or commercial litigation
• Good understanding of court practices and procedures
• Ability to draft legal documentation with strong attention to detail
• Strong work ethic with the ability to work independently and autonomously as and when required
• Proven ability to prioritise workload within a busy environment and meet deadlines 
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Enjoy working in a friendly, fast-paced, high-performing team  

Join the team:
  
Our culture focuses on excellence without losing sight of work-life balance. We work hard for our clients but we also make sure we put our people first. Whether it's taking advantage of our discounted gym memberships across Australia, joining one of our all-star sports teams or enjoying a complimentary massage, Colin Biggers & Paisley offers a suite of unique employee benefits.
  
Our people are given every opportunity for both career progression and personal growth. We continually invest in our people and support and encourage them as they grow within the practice.
  
Inclusion and Diversity is a priority for us. “Diversity” to us means diversity in gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and ability, and “inclusion” for us means inclusion for all. We are committed to fostering a truly diverse workforce that is inclusive of everyone. Our aim is to be recognised as a leading provider of inclusion and diversity in the legal profession.
  
We welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability or ethnicity.
  
We look forward to receiving your application.