We are looking for an experienced Legal Assistant to join our Employment Industrial Relations and Safety team in Melbourne.

This role provides high-level support to our industry leading Employment Industrial Relations and Safety team and is a great opportunity for a confident, organised and proactive Legal Assistant who enjoys being a trusted right-hand support to senior staff. You will be joining a high-performing, fast-paced practice where strong diary management, attention to detail, client service and the ability to manage competing priorities are essential.

What you’ll do

- Managing complex diaries, inboxes, workflows and competing priorities
- Acting as a key coordination point for the team across day-to-day administrative matters
- Preparing, formatting and managing correspondence, documents and matter administration to a high standard
- Coordinating internal and client meetings, calls, events and travel arrangements
- Liaising confidently with clients, internal stakeholders and external parties
- Managing billing processes, including pre-bills, edits, finalisation and cost reporting
- Monitoring deadlines, commitments and follow-up actions to help the practice run smoothly
- Supporting the team with client and industry meetings and events
- Working collaboratively with other Legal Assistants and Administrative Assistants across the Corporate group
- Helping identify efficient ways of working, including the use of technology and AI tools where appropriate

What you’ll bring

- Demonstrated experience as a Legal Assistant or senior legal support professional within a legal or professional services environment
- Strong experience supporting senior stakeholders, with a calm, organised and proactive approach Excellent judgment, discretion and confidence managing sensitive matters Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines




- Experience with billing, reporting and matter management systems
- Previous job share experience is preferred but not essential
- A commitment to mentoring and guiding junior team members
- A service‑oriented mindset with a genuine commitment to enabling fee earners to focus on client delivery
- An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies

What you can expect from us

We’re a world leading international law firm with a global team of over 6,000 professionals across 26 offices. As the market leader in Australia, we are committed to high performance, collaboration, diversity and digital innovation. We are client‑centred, commercially driven, and renowned for our solution‑focused expertise. We will align your growth with our ambitions.

We make your personal and professional growth our business. And as part of the team, our ambition is yours too. Wherever you are in your career: grow and help the firm grow with you.

We will provide opportunities to learn on the job as well as a mix of learning opportunities tailored to you. Daily experiences, supportive challenges, team collaboration, mentors, and structured learning opportunities help you to expand your knowledge and reach your goals.

We value your wellbeing, both at home and work and we place a robust emphasis on mental health. If you need support, you’ll have it and we’ll empower you to harness your personal strengths, navigate uncertainty, embrace opportunities, and effectively manage things within your control.

Join us to be part of a human, bold and outstanding team at Australia’s market leading law firm.

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.

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📌 Legal Assistant, Employment (Melbourne)
🏢 Herbert Smith Freehills
📍 Melbourne