Job Description
Full job description
Legal
Lawyer - Employment
ACT
Permanent / Full Time
27/4/2026
Senior Associate, Workplace & Safety - Canberra
Join the best. Be yourself.
At WK, we solve complex legal problems, challenge ourselves to innovate, and create impact for our people, clients, and communities. We're Asia Pacific's leading insurance and risk legal business, and due to growth, we're expanding our Workplace & Safety practice in Canberra.
Our growth has been phenomenal. Why?
At Wotton Kearney, we attract the best clients because we have the best people, delivering exceptional service to become industry leaders, building a thriving business driven by our shared values - Focus on the Main Game, Have Each Other's Back, and Be Real - so if you're looking for the best place to grow your career, talk to us.
The Role
As a Senior Associate in our Workplace & Safety team, you'll play a key role in supporting the continued growth of our employment, industrial relations and work health & safety practice in Canberra. You'll work closely with partners and special counsel on complex, high‑risk and sensitive matters, while managing your own files with a high degree of autonomy and mentoring junior lawyers.
This role is well suited to an experienced workplace lawyer who enjoys delivering technically excellent, practical and strategic advice, and who is keen to strengthen WK's reputation as a market leader in workplace and safety law - particularly within the public sector.
What You'll Do:
Work closely with partners and special counsel on complex employment, industrial relations and work health & safety matters, with a strong focus on public sector work.
Manage a broad range of workplace investigations, including APS Code of Conduct matters, Public Interest Disclosure investigations, reviews of action and other sensitive factual enquiries, from commencement through to reporting.
Act for clients in unfair dismissal, general protections and discrimination proceedings, managing matters end‑to‑end including drafting pleadings, preparing evidence, briefing counsel and participating in dispute resolution processes.
Provide strategic, practical advice across the full employment lifecycle, including employment contracts, executive arrangements, policies and compliance frameworks.
Advise on enterprise bargaining, industrial relations disputes and matters arising under the Fair Work Act and enterprise agreements.
Support clients in relation to WHS incidents, regulator engagement, investigations and prosecutions, including incident response and ongoing risk management and compliance improvement initiatives.
What We're Looking For:
5+ years' PQE in employment, industrial relations and/or work health & safety law.
Strong experience managing complex investigations, disputes and advisory matters, including advocacy experience.
Demonstrated ability to run matters autonomously while supervising and mentoring junior lawyers.
Experience advising Commonwealth Government clients (highly regarded).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a practical, solutions focused approach.
Alignment with WK's values and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
Why Wotton Kearney?
At Wotton Kearney, we're not your typical law firm. We are forward-thinking pioneers, creative strategists, and genuine professionals reshaping insurance law. We thrive on collaboration, bold ideas, and unwavering support. Here's what sets us apart:
Industry Leaders & Innovation Pioneers - We don't just keep up with change; we drive it. We were the first Australian law firm to launch Cicero, the country's first AI product built for legal professionals.
Recognised Excellence - Ranked Australia's best insurance law firm (Best Lawyers 2026) and consistently ranked Band 1 across legal directories.
FLEX for all -We care about client outcomes, quality, and business and cultural contributions. If you can make that work by working part-time, working "irregular hours" or working from home - then so can we.
Growth & Mentoring - We invest in you with hands-on mentoring, training, and career development, keeping you ahead in the legal and insurance industries.
A Culture That Sets Us Apart - Open, collegiate, and passionate about everything we do. We don't just talk about culture; we live it.
Giving Back - From building homes in Cambodia to fun runs and bake sales, there are plenty of ways to make an impact beyond the office.
Leaders of the Pack - As one of Australia's fastest-growing law firms, we know where we're headed and we want you on the journey with us.
Putting People First - We offer generous parental leave up to 26 weeks, purchased annual leave, home office allowances, health and wellbeing benefits, education assistance and more.
How to apply
Please navigate via the "apply now" link. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace at Wotton Kearney. As part of our dedication to accessibility, we strive to support candidates with disabilities throughout the interview process. If you require any accommodations or assistance during the application and interview stages, please contact us at [email protected]
Important note to recruitment agencies Wotton Kearney only considers agency submissions from agencies we've directly contacted through our Talent Acquisition Team. Please do not forward resumes or profiles directly to Wotton Kearney Partners, hiring managers, or other employees. Introductions are only established upon acceptance by our Talent Acquisition team. We reserve the right to retain any unsolicited CV's received outside of this process without incurring any associated fees.
Legal
Lawyer - Employment
ACT
Permanent / Full Time
27/4/2026
Senior Associate, Workplace & Safety - Canberra
Join the best. Be yourself.
At WK, we solve complex legal problems, challenge ourselves to innovate, and create impact for our people, clients, and communities. We're Asia Pacific's leading insurance and risk legal business, and due to growth, we're expanding our Workplace & Safety practice in Canberra.
Our growth has been phenomenal. Why?
At Wotton Kearney, we attract the best clients because we have the best people, delivering exceptional service to become industry leaders, building a thriving business driven by our shared values - Focus on the Main Game, Have Each Other's Back, and Be Real - so if you're looking for the best place to grow your career, talk to us.
The Role
As a Senior Associate in our Workplace & Safety team, you'll play a key role in supporting the continued growth of our employment, industrial relations and work health & safety practice in Canberra. You'll work closely with partners and special counsel on complex, high‑risk and sensitive matters, while managing your own files with a high degree of autonomy and mentoring junior lawyers.
This role is well suited to an experienced workplace lawyer who enjoys delivering technically excellent, practical and strategic advice, and who is keen to strengthen WK's reputation as a market leader in workplace and safety law - particularly within the public sector.
What You'll Do:
Work closely with partners and special counsel on complex employment, industrial relations and work health & safety matters, with a strong focus on public sector work.
Manage a broad range of workplace investigations, including APS Code of Conduct matters, Public Interest Disclosure investigations, reviews of action and other sensitive factual enquiries, from commencement through to reporting.
Act for clients in unfair dismissal, general protections and discrimination proceedings, managing matters end‑to‑end including drafting pleadings, preparing evidence, briefing counsel and participating in dispute resolution processes.
Provide strategic, practical advice across the full employment lifecycle, including employment contracts, executive arrangements, policies and compliance frameworks.
Advise on enterprise bargaining, industrial relations disputes and matters arising under the Fair Work Act and enterprise agreements.
Support clients in relation to WHS incidents, regulator engagement, investigations and prosecutions, including incident response and ongoing risk management and compliance improvement initiatives.
What We're Looking For:
5+ years' PQE in employment, industrial relations and/or work health & safety law.
Strong experience managing complex investigations, disputes and advisory matters, including advocacy experience.
Demonstrated ability to run matters autonomously while supervising and mentoring junior lawyers.
Experience advising Commonwealth Government clients (highly regarded).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a practical, solutions focused approach.
Alignment with WK's values and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
Why Wotton Kearney?
At Wotton Kearney, we're not your typical law firm. We are forward-thinking pioneers, creative strategists, and genuine professionals reshaping insurance law. We thrive on collaboration, bold ideas, and unwavering support. Here's what sets us apart:
Industry Leaders & Innovation Pioneers - We don't just keep up with change; we drive it. We were the first Australian law firm to launch Cicero, the country's first AI product built for legal professionals.
Recognised Excellence - Ranked Australia's best insurance law firm (Best Lawyers 2026) and consistently ranked Band 1 across legal directories.
FLEX for all -We care about client outcomes, quality, and business and cultural contributions. If you can make that work by working part-time, working "irregular hours" or working from home - then so can we.
Growth & Mentoring - We invest in you with hands-on mentoring, training, and career development, keeping you ahead in the legal and insurance industries.
A Culture That Sets Us Apart - Open, collegiate, and passionate about everything we do. We don't just talk about culture; we live it.
Giving Back - From building homes in Cambodia to fun runs and bake sales, there are plenty of ways to make an impact beyond the office.
Leaders of the Pack - As one of Australia's fastest-growing law firms, we know where we're headed and we want you on the journey with us.
Putting People First - We offer generous parental leave up to 26 weeks, purchased annual leave, home office allowances, health and wellbeing benefits, education assistance and more.
How to apply
Please navigate via the "apply now" link. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace at Wotton Kearney. As part of our dedication to accessibility, we strive to support candidates with disabilities throughout the interview process. If you require any accommodations or assistance during the application and interview stages, please contact us at [email protected]
Important note to recruitment agencies Wotton Kearney only considers agency submissions from agencies we've directly contacted through our Talent Acquisition Team. Please do not forward resumes or profiles directly to Wotton Kearney Partners, hiring managers, or other employees. Introductions are only established upon acceptance by our Talent Acquisition team. We reserve the right to retain any unsolicited CV's received outside of this process without incurring any associated fees.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Senior Associate - Workplace & Safety position is now open for candidates interested in the Work from home Jobs sector. This role in Causeway offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Work from home Jobs is a plus.
