Senior Associate, Construction Law

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced construction lawyer with 5 to 10 years post-qualification experience to join a growing specialist law firm in Sydney. This full-time onsite position offers the chance to work closely with an experienced Principal on a range of major construction, infrastructure, and engineering projects throughout their lifecycle. The role involves both front-end and back-end legal work, including contract drafting, negotiation, procurement, claims management, dispute resolution, and litigation support.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating construction contracts, subcontracts, and project agreements.
• Assessing contractual amendments to identify key commercial and legal risks.
• Preparing tender documentation and assisting procurement processes.
• Advising on risk allocation, delivery models, contract administration, and contractual entitlements.
• Providing practical legal guidance to project and delivery teams.
• Preparing and managing construction claims, contractual notices, and project correspondence.
• Advising on strategies for dispute avoidance and early dispute resolution.
• Supporting mediation, expert determination, arbitration, and litigation processes.
• Conducting legal research and drafting memoranda, submissions, pleadings, affidavits, and other litigation documents.
• Advising clients on commercial outcomes and pre-litigation strategies.
• Developing and maintaining strong client and stakeholder relationships.
• Collaborating with project directors, commercial managers, engineers, and technical experts.
• Contributing to knowledge sharing, precedent development, and process improvement initiatives.
• Supporting growth and development of the specialist construction law practice.

Candidate Profile

• Between 5 and 10 years post-qualification experience in construction law.
• Strong skills in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating construction contracts.
• Experience with construction claims, disputes, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Previous advice provided to contractors, subcontractors, developers, project owners, or government bodies.
• Excellent drafting, communication, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Commercially astute with strong practical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently manage legal matters ensuring high attention to detail.
• Proactive and accountable attitude with a solutions-oriented approach.

Desirable Attributes:

• Strong front-end construction legal experience seeking growth in dispute and claims work.
• Experience or interest in construction insurance matters.
• Background working within specialist construction, boutique, national or in-house legal environments.
• A commitment to develop a long-term career within an entrepreneurial and developing firm.

What This Opportunity Offers

• Exposure to both front-end contracting and back-end claims and disputes legal work.
• Direct mentorship and support from a highly experienced Principal.
• Opportunity to contribute to significant construction, infrastructure, and engineering projects.
• High level of autonomy, responsibility, and interaction with clients.
• Chance to become a key member of a fast-growing, specialist construction law practice.
• Long-term career growth and progression.

Additional Information

This is a permanent, full-time role based onsite in Sydney, New South Wales. No agencies please. Interested candidates should submit a resume; cover letters are optional. For inquiries, direct contact can be made with the firm representative.