Solicitor, Employment & Industrial Relations

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 excited to share that our market-leading Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety (EIRS) practice in Melbourne is looking for a Solicitor to join our collegiate, high performing and supportive team.

In this role you will work closely with Partners Rohan Doyle, Natalie Gaspar, Nicholas Ogilvie and Anthony Wood as well as Partners from our national practice. You will undertake a range of work that supports and advises clients across multiple sectors on employment law and industrial relations matters.

What you’ll do

• Advise clients on all aspects of employment and industrial relations law, supporting workforce strategy and organisational change initiatives.
• Lead and support enterprise bargaining negotiations, industrial disputes and industrial action matters.
• Provide strategic advice and representation in high-profile litigation in federal and state courts, including with respect to breach of contract, restraint of trade, underpayment and general protections matters.
• Support major corporate transactions and projects by advising on employment law aspects of large-scale M&A and project work.
• Deliver practical compliance advice across employment, anti-discrimination and payroll obligations.
• Manage interactions with regulators, including responding to investigations and prosecutions.
• Represent clients in Fair Work Commission matters and proceedings before courts and tribunals.
• Partner with clients to identify legal risks, develop solutions and achieve commercial outcomes in complex workplace matters.

What you’ll bring

• Admission to practice in Australia or New Zealand.
• Experience as a Solicitor delivering advice on a range of employment law and industrial relations matters from a leading private practice, government, or in-house environment.
• Excellent academic results and commitment to continuous learning.
• Strong communication skills and drive to develop as a lawyer within a market-leading practice.
• A positive, collaborative and team focused approach.
• An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.

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 Carissa Bartels, 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.