Senior Associate – Special Counsel, Disputes, Advocacy

Dentons

Specialist disputes lawyer at Dentons defending claims for major clients in Australia. Collaborating closely with team members and partners in a high-volume litigation environment.

Posted 7/31/2026full-timeSydney • 🇦🇺 AustraliaSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates strong litigation and advocacy skills with over 5 years of post-qualification experience in employment law, managing complex disputes and mentoring junior lawyers. Possesses exceptional communication and organizational abilities to thrive in a high-volume litigation environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

5+ Years' PQEStrong Litigation ExperienceDemonstrated Advocacy ExperienceMentoring Junior LawyersExceptional Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

LitigationAdvocacyDispute ResolutionCourt AppearancesInterlocutory ProceedingsLegal StrategyCase ManagementCommercial Advice

Soft Skills

Organizational SkillsProactive ApproachSolutions-Focused Mindset

Industry Keywords

Employment LawWorkplace LawTribunalsHigh-Volume LitigationEmerging Areas of Law

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

This is a rare opportunity to join a specialist disputes team working at the forefront of one of the most rapidly evolving areas of workplace law in Australia.
Acting for one of our largest clients, you will help defend claims before the courts and tribunals.
This is a highly litigation-focused role, involving a substantial and growing portfolio of contentious matters from commencement through to resolution.
With approximately 1-2 hearings currently taking place each week, this role offers genuine, hands-on advocacy experience and regular appearances before the courts and tribunals.
You will work directly with sophisticated clients on complex and strategically important matters, while collaborating closely with a high-performing team of lawyers and paralegals.
You will also have direct access to highly regarded, supportive partners who are genuinely invested in your development.
The role offers scope to take ownership of matters, contribute to strategy, mentor junior lawyers and build expertise in a unique and emerging area of law.

Requirements

What you’ll need

5+ years' PQE, ideally gained within a leading national, international or specialist employment practice;
Strong litigation experience, including running matters in the courts or tribunals;
Demonstrated advocacy experience and confidence appearing in hearings, conferences and interlocutory proceedings;
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a busy and varied disputes practice;
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, practical and commercial advice;
Experience mentoring and developing junior lawyers;
A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume litigation environment;
A genuine interest in developing expertise in a unique and emerging area of law.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equitable salary packaging, incentive pay and rewards
Salary continuous insurance (for permanent employees or employees on a 6 month or more maximum term contract basis)
Salary sacrificing and novated leases
5 days Bonus Leave per year after 12 months of service
Additional leave options
Equal family leave for all genders (including kinship groups)
Floating public holidays for days of cultural significance
Exclusive retailer discounts
Offices designed for collaboration on Gadigal, Naarm, Yuggera, Kaurna and Whadjuk land
Learning & Development opportunities
Generous health and wellbeing programs
Agile and flexible working for all
Social and diversity networks providing year-round events
Opportunities to undertake pro-bono legal work