- CBD Location
- Professional, Dynamic and Friendly environment
- Award winning Law Firm
- People & wellness focused initiatives
We are looking for a talented and motivated Senior Associate with minimum 6 years plus PQE to work closely with a Partner in a broad range of employment related matters, acting for employers and senior employees. This role will see you assisting and acting for clients in employment, workplace relations and WHS law and will include:
- Representing clients in courts and tribunals (including the Fair Work Commission) in employment law matters such as unfair dismissal, general protections, bullying, industrial disputes, enterprise agreement approval and discrimination
- Drafting advice for clients on a range of employment, industrial relations, discrimination and WHS matters
- Drafting employment contracts and workplace policies
- Preparing and delivering workplace training
- Assisting clients with WHS issues and defend WHS prosecutions
- Research various aspects of employment and WHS law
- Drafting articles and presenting at conferences on employment law issues
Working closely with a partner who is recognised in the media and across the legal industry ‚the successful candidate will have a rare opportunity to build and elevate their own professional brand within a supportive, highly respected and well‑connected employment law practice.
You will be encouraged to produce articles, give presentations, provide client training, and engage in broader business development initiatives, allowing you to establish a strong personal market presence while being supported by the firm’s established networks.
Skills & Experience
To be considered for this position, you will have a background in employment and WHS law, a demonstrated working knowledge of industrial relations, WHS and employment related legislation, an understanding of industrial awards and their application in the workplace and experience in representation of members before the Fair Work Commission and other Courts and Tribunals.
You will be a team player who takes on tasks with pride and enthusiasm, has excellent drafting skills and attention to detail, is a good communicator and demonstrates a willingness to learn and take on responsibility. You will also have a passion for building strong client relationships with exposure to business development and a desire to build your own profile, practice and advance your career.
Culture
Workplace culture is everything to us, because when our people are happy, we know they will look after our clients and themselves. Swaab is a place where people feel they can innovate, collaborate and develop their careers and are rewarded for their efforts. Your wellbeing and that of all our team is a high priority and we work hard to continually work on our culture.
Benefits
In addition to a competitive salary package, you will also benefit from the following:
- Salary continuance insurance
- Career progression
- Gym/wellness contribution
- Excellent workplace environment and culture
- Flexibility
- Regular team building and social events
- Supportive team and firm
- Purchased leave
- Flu shots
- EAP
- Annual legal allowance
- Yoga
- Various other well-being initiatives
About Swaab
We are a multi-award winning commercial law firm with an entrenched commitment to our clients and our colleagues which we live through our own Swaab Brand of Service.
We proudly serve the middle market, listed corporations, family businesses, wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs and start-ups that want a responsive and nimble team of experts who celebrate their contribution to the broader Australian economy.
Our key areas of practice are property, corporate, commercial, intellectual property and technology, employment law, litigation, insolvency, transport and franchising. We work across a number of industries including property, retail and fashion, health, professional services, transport and media. In addition to our commercial practice we also have a highly reputable family law team.
We are a member of Meritas, a global alliance of independent, full-service law firms and is its only Sydney based member. This allows us to keep in touch globally, provide extended services to our clients and gives us the exposure and opportunity to work with international businesses.
How to Apply
If this sounds like an opportunity that you want to explore further, please apply now, directing your application to Angela Sharpe, Head of People and Culture at ags@swaab.com.au. All applications will be treated in strict confidence.
If you would like to republish this article, it is generally approved, but prior to doing so please contact the Marketing team at marketing@swaab.com.au. This article is not legal advice and the views and comments are of a general nature only. This article is not to be relied upon in substitution for detailed legal advice.
Publications
AI Slop v Fair Work Commission: The Scourge Continues
For all the talk of how extraordinary and transformative artificial intelligence (AI) can supposedly be, it continues to be a scourge…
Nicholson v Strata Plan No 104042 –The Validity of Debt Recovery Clauses in By-laws
The recent NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal decision in Nicholson v The Owners – Strata Plan No 104042 [2025] NSWCATCD 20…
Property and Stock Agents Amendment (Underquoting and Other Agent Conduct) Act 2026
The Property and Stock Agents Amendment (Underquoting and Other Agent Conduct) Act 2026 (NSW) (the Amendment Act) was assented on 2…
In the News
Michael Byrnes is quoted in the article, “Is the News Bargaining Incentive and Office of AI the media’s last hope?”, published in HR Leader on 31 July 2026
Michael Byrnes is quoted in the article, “Is the News Bargaining Incentive and Office of AI the media’s last hope?”…
Michael Byrnes appeared on Money News with James Willis on 2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR on 30 July 2026 to discuss a recent Fair Work Commission case dealing with an application for a flexible working arrangement to work from home (from 23:30 to 32:20)
Michael Byrnes appeared on Money News with James Willis on 2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR on 30 July 2026 to…
Michael Byrnes appeared on McKnight Tonight with Robert McKnight on 28 July 2026 to discuss the latest developments in the proceedings brought by Jackie ‘O’ Henderson against ARN (from 9:30 to 30:25)
Michael Byrnes appeared on McKnight Tonight with Robert McKnight on 28 July 2026 to discuss the latest developments in the…