Job Description

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Senior Associate to join Partners Mark Brookes and Greg Stirling in one of our Professional Liability teams in Brisbane. You will work on complex, high-value matters for some of the world's largest insurers and their insureds, alongside two of Queensland's most experienced practitioners in professional indemnity and D&O liability.

The Team

The Professional Liability team works across professional indemnity, D&O and management liability, handling claims made against professionals across all industries including accountants, directors, financial advisers, engineers, architects, barristers, solicitors and medical professionals.

Mark is an expert in professional and directors' and officers' liability with more than 30 years' experience acting as both coverage and defence counsel, focusing on complex, multi-party and high-value disputes. Greg brings extensive experience in professional indemnity, employment practices liability and D&O claims, with a particular focus on solicitors, barristers, accountants and design and construction professionals, and is known for his pragmatic and client-focused approach.

What you'll be doing

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Managing high-level professional liability matters, or substantial sections of larger matters, independently
• Managing your own budget and consistently billing 6.5 chargeable hours per day
• Contributing to the strategy of progressing matters and understanding and applying client requirements
• Advising clients directly and providing technically sound legal advice across a range of professional liability issues
• Independently conducting negotiations, mediations and court proceedings
• Contributing to the preparation of estimates and fee quotations, maintaining costs within fixed fee agreements
• Building and maintaining a strong network of business contacts, proactively identifying opportunities to introduce clients to other offices and practice areas
• Taking a leadership role in team culture, performance and engagement activities
• Mentoring and supervising junior lawyers and delegating work appropriately to ensure effective workflow
• Contributing to firm publications, speaking engagements, newsletters and internal training sessions
• Matter completion and post-closing work

Essential Experience and Criteria

• 4+ years post-admission experience in professional liability, insurance litigation or commercial litigation
• Professional liability and insurance experience is essential
• LLB or equivalent and a current (or eligible) Queensland Practising Certificate
• Demonstrated leadership or team management experience
• Demonstrated ability to manage a caseload independently and meet deadlines with limited supervision
• Experience working directly with clients and managing client relationships
• Strong attention to detail, analytical skills and ability to identify inconsistencies
• Effective time management and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and adapt to changing demands
• Sound interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with clients and counterparties
• A proactive and professional approach, with integrity in all dealings

Benefits

At Carter Newell we are a professional team and have a strong client focus, but we love to have some fun along the way. We also provide:

• A healthy approach to flexibility that looks different for each of us
• Internal AI Software
• 20 weeks paid gender-neutral parental leave
• Leave of absence, public holiday swap and study assistance policies
• A wellbeing program with an annual wellbeing allowance, mental health support, and a focus on work-life balance – over 20% of our firm are trained as Mental Health First Aid Officers.
• A genuine commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging with dedicated subcommittees for Pride, Women, Cultural, and Ability & Wellbeing – ensuring real action, not just words

How to Apply

To make a confidential application, please Apply Now, or contact our People and Culture team at careers@carternewell.com.

Carter Newell is an equal opportunity employer, and we value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We welcome applications from individuals of diverse ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds, genders, LGBTIQA+ people and those with carer responsibilities. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.