In House - Senior Litigation Counsel

In House Litigation
Snr Counsel
Sydney CBD based


This is a fantastic opportunity for a Disputes lawyer to move in house to a large and complex organisation
Join a high quality, collegiate legal team working on a range of quality Disputes work.

The position will involve providing legal advice and guidance to facilitate the resolution of external disputes involving parts of the clients business (especially the procurement, operations, property and health and safety teams). The position will also involve assisting with the management of certain safety and other investigations as well as a range of corporate activities.

Disputes work will include a mix of:
Regulatory Investigations, Environmental Disputes, Employment, Commercial Disputes, 3rd party Recoveries

Its essentially a risk management role - partnering with the business to manage risk internally across the organisation and also working with external law firm providers to .

The role is a mix of:

  • Project managing major claims that have major reputation or commercial risk - 50%

  • Managing a portfolio of medium risk or value claims - 35%

  • Overseeing minor claims escalation with Claims and WHS teams - 15%

Key Accountabilities

  • Managing and advising on Commercial disputes, arising out Operations, Property & Construction, Regulatory Investigations, Employment and WHS - this includes managing relationships with witnesses and other internal stakeholders, co-ordinating document production and record management and providing guidance on generic dispute/evidentiary issues, such as legal professional privilege;

  • Assisting with safety and other regulatory investigations;

  • Successfully managing external counsel;

  • Providing commercial and regulatory advice specific to the industry including regulatory changes and corporate governance issues;

  • Providing legal advice in relation to WHS and works authorisations;

  • Working with and providing training for various internal commercial stakeholders, including procurement, operations and health and safety teams; and

Challenges
Key challenges for the position and level of thinking challenge requiring creative, analytical or developmental thinking

  • Balancing commercial imperatives against legal risks in the course of providing advice;

  • Providing advice on complex legal issues;

  • Maintaining competency across broad ranging areas of legal risk in construction, Investigations, operations and WHS; and

  • Prioritising competing deadlines imposed by various stakeholders in the delivery of advice.

Essential:

  • 5-9 years post qualification experience on a mix of Disputes work including 2 or more of the following Commercial Litigation, Employment, Safety, Regulatory Investigations, Construction Litigation

  • Commercial awareness and the ability to work effectively with internal clients;

  • Excellent negotiation and influencing skills and the proven ability to manage competing priorities across a diverse portfolio of matters;

  • Superior analytical, drafting and negotiation skills with good risk management awareness;

  • Ability to communicate complex legal and compliance-related concepts to a broad range of technical and non-technical staff; and

  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information, use discretion and make sound decisions.

  • Australian work rights and admission to practice as a lawyer in Australia

Desirable:

  • Work Health and Safety Act (or equivalent legislation in other jurisdictions) and similar regulatory experience;

  • Energy/Infrastructure/Utilities sector experience (including renewable energy);

Chris Meharg