Senior Associate or Special Counsel – Workplace Relations, Education, and Safety

Senior Associate or Special Counsel

As part of the continued growth of Russell Kennedy’s nationally-recognised independent schools practice, we are seeking an experienced Senior Associate or Special Counsel to join our Workplace Relations, Education, Discrimination and Safety team.

Working closely with Ben Tallboys, Partner, and a large team, this role offers an opportunity to provide legal and strategic support to schools, systems and peak bodies in the education space on complex matters while building strong, trusted client relationships. You will work collaboratively with clients to navigate legal, financial and reputational risks, whilst also delivering practical and values-focused solutions in a dynamic and evolving landscape.

The role encompasses a broad range of advisory and risk management work across employment and industrial relations, equal opportunity and discrimination, child safety and wellbeing, duty of care, regulatory compliance, governance and stakeholder management. It offers diverse and meaningful work, a high level of client engagement, and the opportunity to contribute to one of Australia's leading legal practices serving the Australian independent education sector.

The ideal candidate will bring strong technical expertise, commercial judgement and a genuine interest in building trusted client relationships. You will thrive in a collaborative environment and enjoy combining strategic legal thinking with practical advice to help clients achieve their objectives while effectively managing risk.

If you are looking to take the next step in your legal career and join a highly regarded national practice, we would welcome the opportunity to hear from you. This is an excellent opportunity to work alongside a leading practitioner in the education sector, deepen your expertise, and make a meaningful contribution to a growing and respected team.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing employment advice to clients on a range of issues, including:
  • commencement of employment;
  • terms and conditions of employment;
  • performance management;
  • termination of employment;
  • enterprise bargaining;
  • equal opportunity;
  • preventing bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment;
  • occupational and workplace health and safety; and
  • independent contractors.
• Managing disputes and litigation in relation to workplace relations, discrimination and safety matters.
• Advising on mandatory reporting and compliance with reportable conduct schemes.
• Dealing with student discipline, safety and wellbeing issues.
• Stakeholder and media engagement.
• Maintaining current knowledge of legislative, regulatory and case law developments relevant to workplace relations, education, discrimination and safety laws.
• Business Development activities to build profile, produce articles and conduct presentations to keep clients up to date, and assist in delivering seminars and building client relationships.
• Contributing to the Learning and Development programs at Russell Kennedy, including creating and presenting CPD sessions for others at the firm.

Skills/Knowledge

• Exceptional legal drafting and advisory skills, with a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate complex and sensitive matters.
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and provide strategic advice.
• Commercially minded with a willingness to work on a variety of matters.
• Well-developed initiative, with a demonstrated ability to think critically and strategically.Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage a complex and varied workload.
• Strong Financial housekeeping.

Experience

• 5+ years’ post admission experience.
• Experience in workplace relations, employment and safety is essential.
• Experience in the education sector, including in relation to student safety and wellbeing, is highly desirable.
• Enterprise bargaining experience, litigation, and corporate governance is desirable.

Further Information

Any questions regarding the vacancy can be directed to Heidi Connell on (************* or ******************. For further information or to submit your application for this position please visit the careers page on our website. Please note any offer of employment made by Russell Kennedy to the successful candidate will be subject to a police check. We are currently accepting applications from direct applicants only. No agency referrals will be accepted at this stage.

Our Firm and Culture

Russell Kennedy is a commercial law firm with more than 380 people in Melbourne and Sydney. At Russell Kennedy we are committed to providing exceptional legal strategies and solutions to our clients, guided by market-leading expertise across our key sectors of focus.

We’re committed to making a difference for our clients, providing opportunities for our people, and delivering lasting change for our community. As part of our team, you’ll receive hands-on experience, quality mentoring and access to valuable learning opportunities. We encourage a professional and committed work ethic, while recognising the importance of an enjoyable working environment and balanced lifestyle.

At Russell Kennedy, we respect and celebrate the things that make each of us different. The firm is dedicated to creating an environment that is characterised by equal access and respected participation of all groups and individuals. This is regardless of all differences, including culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity, age, religion, personal circumstances, physical features, abilities and disabilities, socioeconomics and sexual orientation.

We believe we have a culture where individuals of all backgrounds and abilities feel included and confident in bringing their whole selves to work, and where your talents are fostered, empowering you to contribute to the success of the firm.

Russell Kennedy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is certified as a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality. We are committed to being an LGBTIQ-friendly and disability-confident employer. The firm supports and promotes a range of initiatives including, the Russell Kennedy Women’s Network and our Diversity and Inclusion committee, with three key focuses: Access RK (Accessibility and Disability), Kaleidoscope (Cultural Diversity) and Pride@RK (LGBTIQ).

Russell Kennedy is dedicated to creating and participating in a meaningful process of reconciliation as part of the broader national reconciliation movement. Our key aims in embarking on our first RAP are to celebrate the deep knowledge of First Nations communities, the longest continuing cultures in the world, acknowledge past wrongs and to begin to build a structured future together where we can play our part in righting those wrongs though our own reconciliation initiatives.

Russell Kennedy is committed to attracting the best talent available and is open to discussing flexible work arrangements and workplace adjustments for all of our listed vacancies.