Job No:307924
Location:Melbourne, VIC
* Own complex commercial matters end to end
* Advise industrial and engineering clients operating in high-risk environments
* Work autonomously within a high-trust, performance-driven firm
* Melbourne (Hybrid) | Circa $170,000 – $190,000 + Super (Negotiable for the Right Candidate)
Sharpe & Abel: The Firm We Built
Sharpe & Abel was built for businesses operating in demanding environments.
Since 2012, we have advised industrial, engineering and industrial technology companies across
Asia-Pacific. These organisations manage critical systems, significant capital and real operational risk.
Our clients do not need theory. They need clarity. Foresight. Commercial alignment.
Competence is assumed. What differentiates us is delivery — anticipating issues early, reducing friction and aligning legal strategy with business reality.
Our distributed model is built on autonomy and trust. It works for people who value ownership.
Designing Legal Strategy That Prevents, Not Reacts
This Senior Associate role sits alongside the Managing Associate.
It is not task-based.It is outcome-driven.
Matters are owned end to end.Risk is identified early.Strategy is shaped deliberately.
The role includes:
* Managing complex commercial matters independently
* Aligning legal decisions with financial impact
* Navigating corporate structures to maintain momentum
* Applying disciplined structure to matter management
* Strengthening team standards through example
Operate at This Level
Senior commercial capability is essential.
Technical accuracy is expected.
Commercial judgement is what distinguishes performance.
Your peers will challenge, battle test and sharpen your thinking.
Support is strong, credible and professionally aligned at your level.
This role requires:
* Confidence progressing complex matters without close supervision
* Strong contract and advisory experience
* Financial literacy and awareness of business impact
* Systems thinking and deliberate solution design
Ownership is assumed.Initiative is expected.
Composure Under Complexity. Service Over Ego.
High pressure is normal. Drama is not.
We exercise constructive judgment, prioritise calmly, and act with professional discipline.
Technological dexterity and accurate time recording are fundamentals of the role. Work is progressed, not parked. Problems are examined and resolved, not deferred. Responsibility rests with the person closest to the matter.
This is a service business. Success is measured by whether the client's problem is solved — not by how elegant the document was or how clever the argument sounded. Ego has no strategic value.
Where Your Judgement Matters
A competitive senior salary package commensurate with experience, plus:
* Flexible working within a high trust framework
* Hybrid arrangements with Melbourne preferred
* Direct access to leadership
* Long term client relationships with visible commercial impact
* A values led culture grounded in Competency, Love, Trust, Freedom and Security
If This Resonates
If ownership motivates you more than instruction,If autonomy feels energising rather than daunting —
We invite you to apply.
About Us
At Sharpe & Abel, we began in 2012 because we saw engineering, industrial and technical companies were often underserved by traditional law firms. We believe you deserve legal partners who truly understand your operating environment, business model and the high-stakes nature of what you do. From day one, we've committed to speaking your language, prioritising integrity and transparency, and delivering consistent support across the year.
We exist to give thriving technical businesses the legal backing they deserve. That means lawyers who don't just know the law, but also solve problems, work as hard as you do, and who are accountable for the outcomes we create together. Our values of Competency, Love, Trust, Freedom, and Security drive everything we do and shape how we serve the clients who build, maintain, and advance the systems that keep the world running.
Personal Details * Required field
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Questions
Which of the following best describes your working rights in Australia? *
o I am a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or New Zealand
o I have a VISA which allows me to work in the country
o I will require sponsorship to work in Australia
This role operates within a Melbourne-based hybrid model. While flexibility exists for exceptional candidates, preference is given to those based in Melbourne or willing to relocate. Which option best describes your situation? *
o I am currently based in Melbourne
o I am based elsewhere and willing to relocate
o I am based elsewhere and would require a remote arrangement
Do you hold a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD), or equivalent qualification recognised in Australia? *
o Yes
o No
Do you currently hold, or are you eligible to hold, an unrestricted Practising Certificate? *
o Yes – I currently hold an unrestricted Practising Certificate
o Yes – I am eligible to obtain one
o No – and I am not eligible to obtain one
How many years of post-admission experience do you have in corporate commercial law? *
o Less than 3 years
o 3 - 5 years
o 5+ years
Have you worked in both private practice and in-house legal environments? *
o Yes, both
o Only private practice
o Only in-house
o Neither
o Please outline your experience managing a matter end-to-end with minimal supervision. What was your level of responsibility? *
o When progressing work within a client organisation, how do you determine the right stakeholders and maintain momentum? *
o If successful, when would you be able to commence employment? *
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