Senior Property Lawyer | Retirement Living & Commercial | Gold Coast
About the role
An opportunity is available for an experienced Property / Commercial Lawyer to join an established and close-knit legal practice, working closely with an experienced Partner across a diverse range of matters.
This role would suit a lawyer operating at Senior Associate level who is confident managing matters independently, building client relationships and providing practical, commercially focused advice. You will play an important role in the team, taking ownership of files, supporting junior staff and helping manage the day-to-day demands of a busy practice.
A significant part of the firm's work involves advising retirement living and retirement village operators, offering exposure to a specialised and interesting area of law. Matters include retirement village scheme registrations, documentation reviews, leases, conveyancing, compliance, finance-related work and disputes arising within the retirement living sector.
While previous retirement village or seniors living experience would be highly regarded, it is not essential. The firm is open to lawyers with a strong property or commercial background who are practical, commercially minded and interested in developing expertise in this area.
The successful candidate will become a trusted second-in-command to the Partner, with the opportunity to take on meaningful responsibility and make a genuine contribution to the wider practice.
What you’ll be doing - Managing a varied caseload of property and commercial matters with a high degree of autonomy.
- Advising retirement village and seniors living operators on a range of legal and commercial matters.
- Reviewing, drafting and advising on retirement village documentation, leases and associated agreements.
- Assisting with scheme registrations, compliance and regulatory matters.
- Managing conveyancing and property-related transactions within the retirement living sector.
- Advising on matters arising from retirement village operations, including disputes and tribunal matters.
- Working across finance-related matters and general commercial issues.
- Managing client relationships and delivering practical, commercially focused advice.
- Providing guidance and supervision to junior lawyers and paralegals.
- Working closely with the Partner to manage workflow and take ownership of important matters.
What we’re looking for - Approximately 5-6 years PAE, ideally operating at a Senior Associate level, although there is flexibility for the right person.
- A strong background in property or commercial law.
- Experience managing matters independently and taking ownership of client relationships.
- Sound technical knowledge combined with a practical understanding of how to deliver effective legal advice.
- The confidence to supervise and guide junior staff and paralegals.
- Strong communication, drafting and problem-solving skills.
- A commercially minded approach and the ability to understand clients' broader needs.
- Someone who is proactive, mature in their approach and comfortable working closely with senior practitioners.
Experience in retirement villages, seniors living or aged care would be particularly advantageous. However, the firm is happy to provide training in this specialised area for someone with the right underlying experience and attitude.
This opportunity could also suit a lawyer from a commercial litigation or broader generalist background, provided they have strong commercial or property foundations and enjoy taking a practical, hands-on approach to their work.
What we offer - The opportunity to work closely with an experienced Partner and become a trusted senior member of the practice.
- A genuinely varied workload across property, commercial and the specialised retirement living sector.
- The chance to develop expertise in a niche and interesting area of law.
- A manageable billable target of approximately 4.5 hours per day.
- A competitive salary package, with the firm paying above-market remuneration.
- Genuine flexibility, including consideration of part-time arrangements.
- Hybrid working arrangements, with flexibility around working from home.
- A strong emphasis on work-life balance, with a culture that prioritises wellbeing and avoids unnecessary long hours.
- A supportive team with experienced practitioners and a strong paralegal function.
- Ongoing investment in training, professional development and team wellbeing.
- Regular team lunches, development initiatives and opportunities to connect with colleagues.
About the firm
This established legal practice has approximately 22 people across its Brisbane and Gold Coast offices, with its head office located at Runaway Bay.
The firm advises a diverse client base, with particular expertise in retirement living, property, commercial law and wills and estates. Its practitioners work closely with clients and take a practical, relationship-focused approach to providing legal services.
The team is made up of experienced practitioners, many of whom have built long-term careers within the business. There is a strong focus on retaining good people, supporting internal development and creating an environment where lawyers can take ownership of their work without feeling they need to sacrifice their personal lives.
The culture is collaborative and down-to-earth, with an open approach to flexible working and a genuine interest in the wellbeing of its people. The firm regularly invests in team development, training and initiatives designed to strengthen communication and working relationships.
The role would ideally suit someone based on the Gold Coast, given the opportunity to work closely with the Partner at the head office, although Brisbane-based candidates will also be considered. The firm is also open to hybrid working arrangements.
For an experienced lawyer looking for a senior role with genuine responsibility, interesting work and a refreshing approach to work-life balance, this is an opportunity worth exploring.
How to Apply
To apply for this role, please submit your resume through the APPLY button.
Alternatively, you can contact Tessa McNiel on (07) 3543 2261 or tessa.mcniel@engagepersonnel.com.au for a confidential chat.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Please touch base, as we have many more opportunities that are not advertised.
All communication will be strictly confidential.
