Special Counsel – Commercial (Full-Time)

Are you an experienced commercial lawyer looking for an opportunity to work on sophisticated and rewarding matters while being part of a collaborative, high-performing and values-driven Firm?

Burke Lawyers is seeking a full-time Special Counsel to join our growing Commercial, Business & Private Client Services team. This is an exciting opportunity for a senior practitioner with at least 10 years’ post-admission experience who is looking to take on a leadership role, work closely with clients and referrers, and contribute to the continued growth and success of the Firm.

At Burke Lawyers, we value relationships, creativity, innovation, rewarding and valuable work, and efficiency. We have built a supportive, career-enhancing and nurturing working environment by living our values of being respectful, accountable and knowledgeable. We encourage our people to continuously grow both their careers and our Firm.

About the Role

As Special Counsel, you will work closely with our experienced Directors and Commercial team on a range of commercial and business transactions and advice. You will play a key role in continuing to nurture and building new and long-standing relationships with key clients and referrers, providing strategic, transactional and practical advice and services to clients, mentoring more junior practitioners and contributing to the ongoing development of the firm.

This role offers the opportunity to work alongside an experienced Director qualified to practice in Australia and the US, and a highly capable team of lawyers across matters involving commercial, business and corporate law, business succession planning, trusts and broader private client advisory work.





You will enjoy significant autonomy in managing the matters you are handling while benefiting from a collaborative environment where ideas, expertise and professional development are actively encouraged. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior lawyer who enjoys building trusted client and referral relationships, delivering commercial solutions and playing an active role in the growth of a successful law firm.

In addition to the excellent experience and opportunities available, our people enjoy a solid social and wellbeing offering, an in-house learning and development program tailored to individual career goals, support and investment in legal tech and AI, and dedicated marketing and business development support to help build and strengthen their practice.

Key Responsibilities

- Manage corporate, commercial and business matters, providing legal advice and services
- Provide strategic and commercially focused legal advice and services to HNW and SME clients including in core client industries of medical, health, wellness, and start-ups and entrepreneurs.
- Advise on, draft, review and negotiate a variety of commercial agreements and transaction documents
- Advise on business commencement, growth, acquisitions and sales, equity transactions, restructuring and business succession planning matters
- Work closely with business clients to identify practical and commercially effective solutions
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key clients, referrers and professional networks




- Mentor and support lawyers and other team members
- Contribute to business development initiatives and the continued growth of the commercial division at the firm
- Work collaboratively with directors and other colleagues on complex and high-value matters

Key Skills & Attributes

- At least 10 years’ post-admission experience in commercial law
- Strong technical expertise across commercial and business law matters
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex matters and client relationships independently
- Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills
- Commercially minded with a practical and solutions-focused approach
- Experience mentoring and developing more junior lawyers
- Strong business development capability and proactive relationship-building skills
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
- Proactive approach to technology and continuous improvement
- Ability to work collaboratively while taking ownership of matters

Why Join Burke Lawyers?

- Supportive, close-knit and values-driven culture
- Opportunity to work directly with experienced directors and senior practitioners
- High-quality and varied commercial work often in core client industries
- Strong internal referral networks and collaborative practice groups
- Autonomy and trust to manage your practice
- Structured learning and development opportunities
- Dedicated marketing and business development support
- Genuine work-life balance and flexible working arrangements
- Clear opportunity to influence and contribute to the future growth of the Firm

How to Apply

Please submit your cover letter, up-to-date CV, and any relevant supporting documents to Hayley Betros, People & Culture Manager. Applications close 28 August 2026.

📌 Special Counsel, Commercial (Melbourne)
🏢 Burke Lawyers
📍 Melbourne