Solicitor – Planning & Environment (Brisbane)

The Opportunity

We are seeking a junior solicitor with 0-2 years post admission experience to join the Planning and Environment practice group in our Brisbane office. The team is one of the

largest specialist practices in Queensland and is continuing to grow. We are looking to add a solicitor to the practice.

The role is diverse and includes practice in planning, environment, local government, infrastructure and compulsory acquisition law. The highest quality work is available with a diverse client base including developers and all levels of government. The role is planning litigation focused, but also includes compliance work and providing strategic advice to clients.

The successful candidate will have direct access to and mentoring by the practice group Principals and Special Counsel and enjoy a fantastic working environment in a collegiate and welcoming team.

Key Responsibilities

Core duties and responsibilities of the role will include:

• Conduct research and prepare court documents.
• Engage with expert witnesses and barristers, participate in briefings and conferences.
• Appear in court for simple matters
• Arranging and participating in negotiations with senior team members
• Assist your team and mentors with the carriage and conduct of matters.
• A willingness to expand your planning and environment law experience and contribute positively to client and team outcomes.
• Collaborate with other team members to deliver exceptional client service.

Requirements

We appreciate that this is a junior role and provide an opportunity for the right candidate to grow and to expand their skills, knowledge and expertise. Our ideal candidate will have demonstrated ability in a majority of the below requirements:

• up to 2 years post admission experience;
• experience, or a strong interest, in planning and environment law or regulatory work;
• excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills;
• a high level of attention to detail;
• an ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with others;
• experience supporting senior staff for court hearings, settlement conferences and client meetings;
• high level problem solving skills and the ability to learn new tasks quickly;
• a strong desire to learn from senior team members and retain and apply knowledge to future tasks;
• an excellent work ethic and demonstrated commitment to client service;
• strong time management and organisational skills;
• the ability to juggle and manage competing deadlines;
• willingness to grow your own network and establish strong relationships with peers.

Your new team

McInnes Wilson’s Planning & Environment team is a distinguished group of legal professionals dedicated to providing exceptional service with an unmatched record of delivering successful outcomes for our clients. We are known for our depth of knowledge, extensive experience, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Our team comprises highly skilled solicitors who each bring unique attributes to the team and to the firm. Collaboration and teamwork both internally and with our clients are fundamental to our approach. We foster a supportive environment where ideas are shared, expertise is leveraged, and innovative strategies are developed. We provide excellent mentoring and career development opportunities.

You will have the opportunity to work closely with seasoned professionals who are not only leaders in their fields but are also passionate mentors committed to helping you grow and thrive in your career.

About McInnes Wilson

We are a full-service firm with more than 50 principals providing high quality legal advisory services across Australia. We are proud of the values we uphold and the culture of our firm and know there is more to life than work, billables or awards. We believe in our people and trust them with our brand.

When joining McInnes Wilson Lawyers, you will be joining a firm that takes gender equality seriously. Our firm is recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality under the WGEA citation and is committed to demonstrating our ongoing support of all employees in the workplace. Our progressive and inclusive policies have also earned us recognition as an Employer of Choice by the Australian Business Awards, Lawyers Weekly, Queensland Law Society and HRD to name a few.

Our range of employee benefits are designed to be inclusive of all employees and currently include:

• Progressive and inclusive paid parental leave policy with pre-natal leave, partner leave, return to work bonuses and with no qualifying period.
• Support for working parents including a parents & caregivers platform, emergency child care and school holidays support, as well as support for parents caring for an ill or disabled child.
• Formal mentoring program for all employees with rotating mentors/ mentees every 12 months.
• Extensive reward and recognition program, including tenure awards, annual staff awards, promotion ceremonies, and an exceptional female lawyer award.
• Further education reimbursements.
• Health and wellbeing initiatives including personal training sessions, wellbeing checks, financial workshops and free, confidential counselling.
• Birthday leave for all employees, firm social club and regular team functions.

All applicants should note that the successful candidate will be required to undergo background screening including reference checks and police checks.

Please note that you may be contacted by our Recruitment Partners, LexVeritas in the initial stages of your application.