Construction Associate/Senior Associate

MARKET PAY - 5.5 HOUR BILLABLE TARGET - FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

About the Role
This is an opportunity for a Construction Associate or Senior Associate to jump straight into exciting, client-facing matters and build their own personal brand and profile in Queensland within our growing national construction firm.

NECA Legal / CTI Lawyers is a national firm, specialised in construction contracts and disputes, and employment law. NECA Legal provides legal services to some of the biggest national names in the industry, which include members of the National Electrical Communications Association (NECA) and NECA itself. NECA is an industry body for the electrical and communications industry throughout Australia. CTI Lawyers is the standalone brand of the law practice for the wider market.

You will be reporting to Partner Frank Brown, who is an experienced and high performing construction solicitor with top tier pedigree. Frank has run the Construction / Commercial practice at NECA Legal / CTI Lawyers for the last 4 years.

Previously working for Norton Rose Fulbright, Sydney representing the major construction players across Australia supervised by Doyles-listed partners. Frank’s mentors included some of the most highly regarded lawyers in Australia.

In New Zealand, Frank began his career at MinterEllisonRuddWatts under Construction Hall of Fame and Legal 500 listed partners, in a team voted Tier 1 in the Legal 500, Asia Pacific.

Responsibilities
You will be practicing predominantly in commercial litigation with a specific focus on construction disputes in Queensland. You will be required to take charge of Adjudication Applications in Queensland. You will have opportunities to practice law in multiple Australian jurisdictions and regular exposure to disputes in forums ranging from security of payment adjudications, tribunal and Local, District, Supreme, and Court of Appeal proceedings.

You will be required to advise on some transactional construction law matters, including advising on construction contracts and drafting. You will have an opportunity to advise on several matters relating to the construction industry including everything from licencing and regulatory matters, plagiarism, Australian Consumer Law and passing off. You will also have plenty of opportunities to practice in other areas of law.

You will also be supervising junior legal staff, including paralegals.

Qualifications
Admitted to practice law in Queensland Australia.

Previous experience
At least 2 years PQE in construction law disputes. Candidates with a litigation background and an interest in specialising in construction law will be considered. The following experience at a law firm in QLD will be preferred:

• Preparation of payment claims, payment schedules, adjudication applications and responses under the Building Industry Fairness (Security Of Payment) Act 2017

• Preparation of originating processes in Local, District and Supreme Court, including statements of claim and summons and list statements

• Preparation of defences, and list responses

• Preparation of motions for default judgment, registration of judgments for adjudication and costs assessment certificates, garnishees, examination notices and orders

• Preparation of statutory demands, winding up applications, applications to set aside, substituting creditor applications

• Reviewing and advising on rights, obligations and risks under construction contracts and drafting amendments favourable to your client, and negotiating same.

Remuneration and Progress

• Associate (2-5 years PQE) - $115,000-$150,000 per annum + superannuation

• Senior Associate (6 years + PQE) $170,000 per annum + superannuation

• Referral bonus of 10% of fees earned by a referred client up to $100,000 of fees.

• Performance Bonus

• Progression pathway to leadership role in Brisbane branch.

Application Process

IF INTERESTED APPLY DIRECTLY. All applications will be processed via Seek.com only.

All workers must have the right to live and work in Australia. For questions about the role, please contact **************@neca.asn.au.

THIS ROLE IS NOT OPEN TO RECRUITERS.

Stage 1
Apply with CV and Cover Letter

Stage 2
Provide 2 examples of legal work product (appropriately redacted)
Consider problem scenario which will be issued before and discussed at interview

Stage 3
Interview with Partner and HR
Interview with Partner and Associate

Stage 4
Reference checks - at least 2 referees contactable by phone.