Location: Brisbane
Discipline: Partner & Special Counsel
Job type: Permanent
Salary: $300,000 to $1M+
Contact name: Craig Ashton-Sward

Contact email: craig@lawstaff.com.au
Job ref: WRP030726
Published: 14 days ago
  • Partnership role in Workplace Relations & Safety
  • National firm, premium client base & deep resources
  • Earnings potential beyond $1 million
  • Shape the future of a nationally recognised Workplace Relations practice:
An exceptional opportunity exists for an accomplished Workplace Relations & Safety Partner to join an existing generalist Workplace & Employment Partner in a highly regarded national firm at a pivotal stage of its growth.

Your practice is likely to also be general workplace and employment law, both advisory and contentious engagements across the full employment lifecycle, yet you will have a specialist skillset advising clients on some of their most significant workplace safety and regulatory risks, including:

Health & Safety:
  • Acting as the trusted adviser to organisations following workplace fatalities, serious incidents and regulatory investigations, managing immediate response strategies and engagement with regulators.
  • Leading complex workplace health and safety investigations, including evidence preservation, legal professional privilege, expert engagement, root cause analysis and remediation planning.
  • Advising major employers, developers and project proponents on WHS governance and risk management across large-scale infrastructure, construction, transport, energy and resources projects.
  • Advising on complex contractor engagement models, principal contractor obligations, supply chain risk, licensing and accreditation requirements.
  • Assisting clients to design, implement and continually enhance WHS governance frameworks, safety management systems and compliance programs that align with operational and commercial objectives.
  • Representing clients in high-stakes regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings, including matters involving workplace safety regulators, the Fair Work Ombudsman and other government agencies; as well as
Industrial Law:
  • Leading industrial relations strategy for major Commonwealth and State Government infrastructure, construction and capital projects.
  • Advising boards, executive leadership teams and project proponents on enterprise bargaining, workforce transformation, industrial strategy and stakeholder management.
  • Acting as a trusted adviser to government agencies, statutory authorities and major employers on industrial relations governance, workforce frameworks and the management of complex employment and industrial issues across large and diverse organisations.
About You:

This appointment is suited to an established practitioner seeking a platform that offers greater strategic influence, enhanced collaboration, and the resources to further develop a sophisticated practice without compromising autonomy. You bring:
  • An established WHS practice supplemented by general employment law and industrial relations, with strong client relationships
  • A collaborative approach and a genuine interest in contributing to the growth of a national practice
  • Demonstrated leadership of high-performing legal teams and the ability to mentor emerging practitioners
  • Commercial acumen, sound judgement and the credibility to advise boards, executives and in-house counsel
  • A desire to join a firm where cross-practice collaboration generates meaningful opportunities for both you and your clients
Why This Opportunity:

This is more than a lateral move, it is an opportunity to join a firm that is actively investing in the future of its Workplace Relations, Employment & Safety practice. The successful Partner will benefit from:
  • A respected national platform with an established and growing Workplace practice
  • Genuine cross-selling opportunities through strong referral relationships across Government, Corporate, Commercial Property, and Litigation
  • A cohesive and collaborative partnership that values entrepreneurship without internal competition
  • The autonomy to continue building your practice while being supported by experienced leadership and significant firm resources
  • Flexible working arrangements that recognise the demands of a successful practice
  • Premium CBD offices, market-leading technology and a culture that prioritises long-term success for both clients and partners
If you are considering whether your current platform will continue to support your ambitions over the next five to ten years, we welcome a confidential discussion.

Why Engage with Law Staff:

We are the conduit for these high-level discussions. We are retained by the employer to reach out to the community and disclose sensitive strategic business information - but only to those aligned and interested persons, not our client's competitors.

For more than 30 years, senior lawyers have trusted Law Staff for confidential, well-informed career guidance. We provide:
  • Clear benchmarking around Partner remuneration and earning models
  • Honest insight into firm culture, integration support, and long-term retention
  • Strategic assistance with lateral move positioning and business case presentation
All discussions between yourself and Law Staff remain in the vault until you advise in writing that you would like to meet the relevant Board member. References from other Partners we have appointed to the myriad of law firms are available upon request.

Confidential Discussion

To explore this opportunity in confidence, please contact:
  • Craig Ashton-Sward – craig@lawstaff.com.au or call 0413 743 838
Please quote REF: WRP030726

If this particular opportunity is not the right fit, we also manage discreet Partner, Special Counsel, and senior in-house appointments across Brisbane and nationally. Anonymous enquiries are welcome.