Associate - Employment

Who we are

Johnson Winter Slattery (JWS) is known throughout the market as a leading full-service commercial law firm. We work on high-profile and complex transactions and disputes, with a focus on commercial outcomes. We are a firm of more than 400 people, including 85+ partners, with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth.

We were named ‘Technology, Media and Telecom M&A Legal Adviser of the Year’ in the Mergermarket M&A Awards Australia 2023 and received awards for client service excellence from Beaton Consulting, based on independent client feedback. Our lawyers and practice groups are highly ranked in all the major legal directories, including Chambers & Partners and Legal 500.

About the Team

Our Employment team advises in all areas of employment law, industrial disputes, enterprise bargaining, the application and interpretation of industrial instruments (including wage remediation processes), disciplinary and performance management matters (including termination of employment), discrimination and harassment complaints, executive employment and dismissal.

About the Role

Due to growth, we have a newly created opportunity for an Associate to join our Brisbane employment practice.

Working alongside a highly skilled Special Counsel, you will be involved in high-profile industrial relations and employment law matters, playing a pivotal role in advising and resolving disputes. You will also work nationally, working closely with our Melbourne and Sydney employment teams.

Your role will be key to managing a range of employment matters, including drafting and negotiating contracts, conducting workplace investigations, and undertaking specialist corporate support to our corporate and transactional teams, Your responsibilities will also include reviewing awards, drafting policies, and providing expert advice on employment law issues.

This is an exciting opportunity for passionate, energetic, and commercially-minded lawyer to join a growing team.

About You

You will have a strong career and track record to date and a technical aptitude that has allowed you over your career to:

• Deliver legal advice with a commercial and client focused outlook, always
• Work well under pressure, meet your deadlines and excel working in a team
• Have strong communication and stakeholder management skills and you aren't afraid to use them, internally and externally
• Take a collaborative, positive and energetic approach to everything you do; and
• Have gained employment and industrial relations law experience in a private practice environment.

Working at Johnson Winter Slattery

We value collaboration and our teams work together to achieve shared outcomes. We care about the wellbeing of our people and will invest time in understanding your objectives so we can support you throughout your career. We believe it’s this focus on our people that has seen our firm grow rapidly to become one of Australia’s leading independent law firms.

We pride ourselves on being down-to-earth, approachable, and always high-performing. We have worked hard to create a culture where people look out for each other.

We offer:

• A collegiate environment with a collaborative culture across offices and practice groups
• High-quality work with committed mentors supporting your career development
• Comprehensive benefits including competitive remuneration, flexible working, and extensive social and wellbeing initiatives
• Opportunities for professional growth through structured learning and development programs, pro bono work, and employee recognition initiatives

If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity to take your career to the next level, then we would love to hear from you.

We are committed to promoting a workplace that is diverse and inclusive. We encourage the best people - regardless of race, religion, or belief if any, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or age - to fulfil their professional aspirations with us. In particular we would welcome applications from First Nations candidates.

Johnson Winter Slattery pays respect to Elders past and present of our nation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We honour the deep spiritual, cultural and customary connections of Traditional Owners to the Australian landscape, including Australia’s waterways, land, and sea country.