Senior Associate

Why join us?

DWF Australia is seeking a dedicated Senior Associate to join our General Insurance team in Sydney on a full-time basis.

As a Senior Associate, you will support senior fee earners in the proactive management of medical defence and health matters within the General Insurance practice group. The role involves handling a range of litigated and non-litigated matters, providing strategic legal advice, managing stakeholder relationships, and delivering high-quality legal services to clients while contributing to the overall success of the team.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support a portfolio of complex medical malpractice, health liability, and regulatory matters, including both litigated and non-litigated files, while assisting senior fee earners with day-to-day matter management.
• Draft, review, and prepare a range of legal documentation, including pleadings, expert and counsel briefs, court documents, settlement agreements, and client correspondence.
• Analyse medical records, clinical documentation, expert evidence, and legal issues relating to liability, causation, quantum, and risk to support effective claims and litigation strategies.
• Provide commercially focused legal support and advice to insurers, insured health practitioners, and healthcare organisations, while assisting with settlement negotiations, reserve considerations, and claims management.
• Communicate and build relationships with key stakeholders, including insurers, medical practitioners, counsel, experts, regulators, and opposing parties, while attending court hearings, mediations, and regulatory proceedings where required.
• Support business development initiatives, maintain compliance with firm policies and industry regulations, manage file administration and billing requirements, and ensure strict confidentiality of all client and medical information.

What will help you succeed in this role?

• Minimum 4 years' post-qualification experience, with demonstrated expertise in defendant insurance litigation and a strong focus on medical malpractice, health liability, or personal injury matters.
• Proven ability to advise insurers, hospitals, medical practitioners, and healthcare organisations on complex liability, quantum, and regulatory issues, with knowledge of medical negligence frameworks, Civil Liability legislation, and health regulatory regimes being highly regarded.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and case management skills, with the ability to manage matters independently, develop litigation strategies, and deliver commercially focused outcomes.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to draft clear and concise legal advice, work collaboratively within a high-performing team, and maintain the highest professional and ethical standards.
• Proficiency in document management and practice management systems (such as iManage), Microsoft Office applications, and emerging technologies, including AI tools, combined with a proactive approach to learning and continuous improvement.

What we offer

• Competitive remuneration
• Career progression opportunities
• Flexible hybrid working with minimum of 1 – 2 days in the office each week
• Up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave
• 2 volunteer days off a year
• Birthday leave

About us

DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. Our approach delivers efficiency, price certainty and transparency for our clients across the world without compromising on quality or service. Our purpose is to deliver positive outcomes with our colleagues, clients and communities and we foster a culture that places our colleagues at the centre of all that we do. We champion an environment where everyone is encouraged to be their authentic selves, fostering a culture that supports and celebrates the unique contributions and aspirations of all our colleagues. DWF operates with 35 offices globally, with offices in Australia based in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, and Melbourne.