Senior Associate/Special Counsel

Senior Associate/Special Counsel - Employment Join to apply for the Senior Associate/Special Counsel - Employment role at Johnson Winter Slattery Who we are Johnson Winter Slattery (JWS) is a leading Australian law firm known for advising corporates and funds on their most complex transactions, disputes and regulatory matters. At JWS, we build authentic, long-term relationships and have a deep understanding of our clients and their industries. Our clients say we are pragmatic, strategic, commercial and easy to work with. Our firm is comprised of more than 450 highly talented people, including 80+ partners, across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth. We are globally connected and have strong relationships with major independent law firms around the world. JWS was recognised as Technology, Media and Telecom M&A Legal Adviser of the Year (Mergermarket M&A Awards Australia 2023), Energy Law Firm of the Year (Best Lawyers 2023) and Australian Law Firm of the Year (Beaton Client Choice Awards 2025). Our lawyers are highly ranked in Chambers & Partners, Legal 500 and Lexology Index (formerly Who's Who Legal). We are strongly committed to social justice, responsible business and our diverse communities. We are proud of our pro bono program which focuses on supporting low income, disadvantaged and marginalised people in the Australian community. About the Team Our Employment team advises on all areas of workplace relations, including employment and related legislation, employee disputes, restructuring and outsourcing, industrial disputes, redundancies, enterprise bargaining, awards, workplace investigations, anti-discrimination and sexual harassment laws, employment contracts and policies, incentive arrangements, superannuation, independent contractors, restraints of trade, work health and safety, disciplinary issues and managing ill or injured workers. The team also works closely with leading private equity and venture capital clients on critical executive issues and large-scale restructures, downsizing and outsourcing. About the Role An exciting opportunity exists for a passionate and commercially-minded Senior Associate/Special Counsel to join our Sydney office. As a key member of our dedicated Employment team, you will leverage your legal acumen to provide strategic counsel to a diverse range of clients navigating the intricacies of employment relationships. Your responsibilities will encompass advising on employment agreements, workplace policies, discrimination matters, and dispute resolution, all while staying attuned to the latest regulatory developments. About You You bring strong technical expertise and previous relevant experience, but there is much more to you. You: 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 use them effectively, internally and externally; take a collaborative, positive and energetic approach to everything you do; and have a minimum of 5 years PQE and private practice employment law experience. Working at JWS 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. Benefits 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. Seniority level Mid-Senior level Employment type Full-time Job function Legal Industries Law Practice Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia #J-18808-Ljbffr