Senior Associate, Commercial Litigation

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Senior Associate to join our leading Band 1 and award-winning Dispute Resolution team to be based in Melbourne.

In this role you will work closely with leading partner Merryn Quayle as well as a number of other partners and lawyers across the local, national and global firm. You will undertake a range of work that supports local, national and international clients on general commercial litigation including contentious regulatory matters (investigations and disputes), commercial and corporate disputes, internal investigations, inquiries, class actions as well as other complex and strategic disputes. 

What you’ll do

• You will have responsibility for contributing to excellent client service, handling files, identifying issues and proactively providing solutions. You will play an important role in projects to further develop business opportunities with existing and new clients. You will be a key member of a highly motivated, dynamic and collaborative team. You will also work with colleagues in our interstate and international offices.
• You will have extensive client exposure and opportunities to develop a network of relationships. You will benefit from exceptional learning opportunities working in a team of highly ambitious and collaborative lawyers.

What you’ll bring

• demonstrable experience in delivering technical advice on a range of commercial litigation matters from a leading top tier, national or international private practice; or an in-house environment;
• 5+ years' post-admission experience;
• an excellent academic record coupled with strong legal skills and a practical mindset;
• a proactive approach and desire to be an integral member of our leading and supportive team;
• an ability to work to tight timeframes, collaboratively and at times autonomously;
• excellent communication skills and ability to demonstrate collegiality within a team;
• have a desire to learn and develop and be part of maintaining a market-leading practice.
• an innovative, continuous improvement mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.

The Disputes Team

With a multi-disciplinary global disputes team of world-leading sector specialists and regional experts, the Disputes team provides commercial insight and legal advice which is described by Chambers and Partners as a 'Dispute Resolution powerhouse that consistently tops the rankings across the world'.

Herbert Smith Freehills' Disputes group is ranked as a Tier 1 Dispute Resolution Firm (Legal 500, 2025) and ranked a Band 1 Dispute Resolution Firm (Chambers Asia Pacific 2025).

What you can expect from us

• We’re a world leading international law firm with a global team of over 6,000 professionals across 26 offices. As the market leader in Australia, we are committed to high performance, collaboration, diversity and digital innovation. We are client-centred, commercially driven, and renowned for our solution-focused expertise. We will align your growth with our ambitions.
• We make your personal and professional growth our business. And as part of the team, our ambition is yours too. Wherever you are in your career: grow and help the firm grow with you.
• We will provide opportunities to learn on the job as well as a mix of learning opportunities tailored to you. Daily experiences, supportive challenges, team collaboration, mentors, and structured learning opportunities help you to expand your knowledge and reach your goals.
• We value your wellbeing, both at home and work and we place a strong emphasis on mental health. If you need support, you’ll have it and we’ll empower you to harness your personal strengths, navigate uncertainty, embrace opportunities, and effectively manage things within your control.
• For more benefits on offer such as our holistic wellbeing fund or home office allowance please click here.
• Join us to be part of a human, bold and outstanding team at Australia’s market leading law firm.

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values - Human, Bold, and Outstanding.

Apply now with your resume and academic transcript, or contact Tamara Salem, Recruitment Manager ([email protected]) for a confidential discussion.

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Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.