The Opportunity

Our Band-1 Setting & Sustainable Development (ESD) practice has a rewarding opportunity for a talented senior lawyer to join the team based in Sydney. Working closely with industry leading partners Nick Thomas, Brendan Bateman and Mark Brady and other senior practitioners, you will join a high-performing and well respected team with a shared passion for environment, planning and sustainability. This role will see you working on a diverse range of matters spanning strategic and policy advice, major projects and transactions, litigation and dispute resolution. You will act for both public and private sector clients including Federal, State and local government agencies, ASX100 listed and multinational corporations. You will benefit from playing a lead role in challenging and rewarding work that keeps your skills sharp. You will be empowered and supported to build your own brand and practice through dedicated mentorship, leadership development programs and career opportunities. You will also have the opportunity to undertake client secondments as they arise from time to time, refining your valuable commercial skills.

Skills & Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have a positive attitude and commitment to learning, growing and delivering outstanding service to clients. You will also have: Minimum 6 years PQE gained within a reputable commercial law firm, with demonstrated time spent in a senior associate capacity; Excellent academic results; Well-rounded experience in a reputable environment and planning practice, with demonstrated exposure across transactional, advisory and litigious P&E; matters; Refined drafting skills with demonstrated attention to detail; Strong communication and interpersonal skills; A collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively with clients, consultants, counsel,



and peers both internal and external; A proactive commitment to continuous professional development to expand skills and meet evolving client and industry needs; Capability and willingness to mentor and guide junior team members.

The Environment & Sustainable Development Team

Our ESD team is rated as one of only two Band-1 teams in Australia, and has been recognised as the leading team in Australia. We specialise in all areas of environment and planning law, as well as ESG, climate change, sustainability, water, energy, resources and regulated industry laws, as well as project-based land acquisition and access. We're also very active in emerging areas of law and policy, such as the delivery of nature positive outcomes. Our diverse work covers large scale development and infrastructure projects, major transactions, operational compliance, strategic and policy advice, incident management, litigation and inquiries . Clayton Utz's full service and truly national offering means we work closely with others throughout our firm, so our clients have access to the best legal advice wherever they are. Our clients are domestic and internationally based, and they operate in a wide range of sectors, including government, resources, energy, water, infrastructure, urban development, construction, manufacturing, transport and logistics, waste management, health services, education and agribusiness. For further information, please visit our Environment & Sustainable Development showcase page on LinkedIn.

Accessibility and Inclusion

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process.



Do you require any support or reasonable adjustments to complete your application? If so, please contact the recruiter via the above telephone number or via email to For more information on Clayton Utz, please visit or follow us on LinkedIn here.

As Australia’s leading independent law firm, our culture has been built by innovative thinkers. They are the driving force behind our firm and if you choose to be part of the team your expectations will be challenged every step of the way. As part of this innovative team you will be working across major national, government, and global clients. All the while collaborating with some of the sharpest legal minds in the industry. Clayton Utz has also been a powerful force in Australian pro bono practice, striving to deliver justice for those who need it and not just those who can afford it. In your time here you’ll be constantly surprised by the projects you get to work on and what you can accomplish. We’re looking for individuals who will thrive under our spirit of independence. Built around independent thinkers we believe surrounding ourselves with dynamic, ambitious and collaborative individuals is key to creating an environment of success. In return we're committed to fostering a career path that's unique to each individual. Imagine what you could achieve at a top law firm that actually values independent thinking. Are you up for the challenge? We are committed to an inclusive culture in which all of our people are recognised for their unique contributions and are encouraged and supported to achieve their full potential.

Learn more Pro bono is a fundamental part of Clayton Utz. Learn more The traditional legal career path is evolving. By consulting with us you can expand your experience, develop your skill set and work on a variety of assignments with top-tier organisations in a range of sectors. Learn more

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📌 Senior Associate - Environment & Sustainable Development (City of Sydney)
🏢 Clayton Utz
📍 City of Sydney