Associate - Employment Law

Associate – Employment Law

Sydney CBD

BlackBay Lawyers is a specialist litigation firm where Associates do more than assist - they advise, strategise and lead.

We act in complex commercial disputes, employment litigation and defamation matters for ASX-listed companies, founders, boards and high-profile individuals. We were named Boutique Law Firm of the Year 2024, were finalists in 2025, and are again in 2026.

We are looking for an Associate who is comfortable with responsibility, direct client relationships, and the autonomy to develop within a high-performing litigation firm. This role is suited to a litigator with experience in employment law who is technically excellent and commercially sharp.

The Role

At BlackBay, Associates are trusted with meaningful responsibility. You will:

• Work on complex employment and workplace disputes
• Act for executives, senior employees, founders, boards and corporate clients
• Advise clients directly on contractual disputes, restraints of trade, post-employment obligations, unfair dismissal, general protections, discrimination and workplace investigations
• Prepare and run proceedings in the Fair Work Commission, Federal Court and Supreme Court
• Draft pleadings, witness statements, outlines of submissions, deeds of release and interlocutory applications
• Assist with urgent injunctive relief, including restraint enforcement and confidential information matters
• Take an active role in negotiations, mediations, conciliations and strategic decision-making
• This is not a back-end drafting role. You will be client-facing, and trusted to exercise independent judgment.

Who this role is designed for

• Associates (approximately 2–5 PQE)
• Litigators who: have experience in employment, workplace or industrial law
• Want ownership over their work, not just tasks
• Value direct client contact
• Are confident, precise and commercially aware
• Expect progression to follow performance, not tenure
• Are comfortable being relied upon - by clients and partners.

In return you will receive

• High-profile, intellectually demanding litigation
• Direct access to Partners and decision-makers
• Active support to build your professional profile, reputation and market presence
• Merit based pay and progression - aligned to contribution and impact - not PQE
• A collegiate, ego-free culture with high standards
• A clear long-term career path in a firm scaling deliberately and sustainably

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining BlackBay Lawyers, please apply via LinkedIn or send your CV and cover letter to ***email_hidden***

Confidential conversations are welcome - not all strong candidates are actively looking.