Associate or Senior Associate – Employment Law

• Join us in our beautiful, purpose-built office in Geelong or our new office space in Melbourne
• Full-time or part-time (minimum three days per week)
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience

Who we are

Coulter Legal is one of Victoria’s largest regionally based law firms, with offices in Geelong, Melbourne, the Surf Coast, the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsula, and South Australia. We are proud to be a leading law firm with a difference: we genuinely care about our people, our clients, and our community.

We embrace innovation and continuously evolve our legal processes to deliver exceptional outcomes. Our success is built on the contributions of every team member, and we believe that recruiting the right people is key to our growth and sustainability.

About the role

We are looking for a professional, highly motivated and experienced Senior Associate or Associate, with demonstrated experience working with employers and businesses to provide commercially focused advice to a broad range of clients.

The successful candidate should demonstrate an ability to manage their own file work, in collaboration with the team’s Special Counsel.

A strong focus on client relationships is essential. We work closely with our clients to build strategic and cohesive partnerships. We value people who can think creatively, problem‑solve, improve processes, and communicate with clarity. This includes not only managing complex matters but also presenting to current and prospective clients and supporting business development.

We are looking for someone who thrives in both autonomous and collaborative environments. The ability to maintain accuracy, attention to detail, and efficient time management in a busy practice area is particularly valued. A desire to build and grow a practice within a dynamic and growing practice group while aligning with our values is fundamental.

Key responsibilities include

Providing advice on a broad range of employment law matters including:

• award compliance and interpretation;
• wage theft;
• identification and interpretation of employee entitlement rules;
• terms and conditions of employment;
• disciplinary and performance issues;
• termination of employment;
• workplace bullying, harassment and discrimination;
• complex employee management issues;
• workplace investigations;
• Advising on transfer of business, superannuation and long service leave issues;
• Drafting contracts and deeds, including executive employment agreements and contractor agreements;
• Advising on and conducting disputes in the Fair Work Commission, State and Federal Tribunals and State and Federal Courts, including (but not limited to) unfair dismissal and general protections claims.

Ideally, you will also have experience with:

• Enterprise bargaining and agreement making;
• OHS and/or workers compensation law in Victoria;
• Restraint of trade; and
• Labour hire licensing matters.

You will provide tailored advice on complex matters to a variety of clients ranging from SMEs to large national organisations with a broad range of interesting and exciting work.

• Providing outstanding client service, including onboarding new clients
• Managing multiple tasks efficiently and accurately, including deadline and reminder management
• Contributing to marketing initiatives, including creating content for presentations
• Maintaining control of priorities through effective time management
• Accuracy and attention to detail

What you’ll bring

• At least two to three years post-admission experience in an employment law team
• Demonstrated experience in general employment law
• Demonstrated experience in building client relationships
• Exceptional organisational and file management skills with a high level of attention to detail
• A positive, can-do attitude
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team

Why join us?

At Coulter Legal, we foster a culture of high performance, engagement, and community connection. Our values guide everything we do, and we seek like-minded individuals who share our commitment to excellence and integrity.

You will be part of a supportive team where your skills and experience can grow. We offer a range of benefits, including:

• Flexible working options
• Generous parental leave program
• Floating public holidays
• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community
• Purchase leave program
• A genuinely inclusive and welcoming culture
• Access to ongoing training and professional development

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

Coulter Legal values diversity, promotes inclusion, and ensures equal access for all. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and identities. We believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our team and enhance the service we provide to our clients.

If you require any adjustments to be made throughout the recruitment process, please contact us on the details below.

How to apply

For a confidential discussion, please contact Amelia Pilcher, HR Consultant on 03 5273 5243.