Planning and Environment Partner | Melbourne

Genuinely strong Planning and Environment pedigree

The Firm

Our client is a leading Australian law firm, and a recognised leader in the planning and environment space. The firm is consistently ranked by Doyle's Guide and Best Lawyers in planning and environment law - with recognised strength across major project approvals, environmental and native title advisory, development facilitation, and planning litigation. It has established national and international client relationships, a deep bench across its planning and environment practice, and the infrastructure to support a partner who arrives with momentum.

The firm has a commitment to planning and environment as a core practice, a national and international client base, and a partnership that is collegial, commercially engaged and genuinely invested in the success of incoming partners.

Full details of the firm - including partnership structure, client base and strategic direction - can be provided confidentially to suitable candidates who wish to progress.

The Opportunity

VIXA is working with a firm that is actively investing in its planning and environment capability - and is seeking a partner who brings both technical depth and a portable client following to accelerate that growth. Sustained investment in infrastructure and precinct-scale development, an increasingly complex planning and environmental approvals landscape, and continued growth in renewable energy, industrial and residential development pipelines are driving strong demand for planning and environment work across the Victorian market.

This role suits a Partner who is commercially astute,



client-focused and ready to operate collaboratively within a partnership where lawyers are respected, supported and engaged in each other's success.

The Role

The incoming partner will ideally have experience across a combination of the following (depending on specialisation) - planning and development approvals, including permit applications, panel hearings and VCAT proceedings; and/or environmental advisory, including contamination, native vegetation, cultural heritage and regulatory compliance; and/or planning and environment litigation, acting for developers, government or objectors.

The role carries leadership responsibilities, including supervision and mentoring of junior lawyers and active participation in the partnership.

About You

We are seeking an experienced Planning and Environment Partner who is ready for a strategic move and can demonstrate the following:

- 8-25 years' post-admission experience with a substantive planning and workplace focus
- Deep technical capability across planning approvals, environmental law, or planning litigation (native title and cultural heritage not critical but advantageous)
- A portable practice with a current book of business exceeding $1M+
- Established client relationships with developers, government agencies, infrastructure proponents or corporate landholders
- A track record of business development and the profile to continue building at a new firm
- Experience from a top-tier, leading mid-tier or well-regarded specialist planning and setting firm
- The commercial instinct and interpersonal credibility to operate effectively within a collegiate partnership

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📌 Planning & Environment Partner | Melbourne
🏢 VIXA | Executive Legal Recruitment
📍 Melbourne