Senior Commercial Litigation Lawyer (Special Counsel / Senior Associate, 10+ PQE)

Leadership Role | Sydney | Genuine Partnership Pathway

About PCL Lawyers

PCL Lawyers is a growing national law firm with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

Our litigation practice acts in a broad range of disputes including commercial litigation, building and construction disputes, insolvency and restructuring, shareholder and director disputes, contractual disputes, property-related litigation and general commercial matters.

We act for individuals, SMEs, insolvency practitioners and corporate clients across Australia.

Our culture is ambitious, collaborative and practical. We work hard, support each other, and pride ourselves on delivering commercially focused outcomes for our clients. We are continuing to grow and are looking for senior lawyers who want to help shape the future of the practice rather than simply be passengers within it.

The Prospect

We are seeking an experienced commercial litigator to take a significant leadership role within our Sydney litigation practice.

Working closely with the firm's Managing Partner, the successful candidate will assume responsibility for a substantial existing litigation practice and play a leading role in its ongoing management, supervision and growth.

This is not simply a senior fee-earner role. It is an opportunity to step into a genuine leadership position combining legal practice, mentoring, business development, team management and practice growth.

As the firm's litigation practice continues to expand, the successful candidate will become a key point of contact for lawyers, clients and referrers, taking increasing responsibility for the day-to-day management and growth of the practice while working with senior leadership to drive its next stage of development.

This role offers the opportunity to inherit and grow an established practice, lead lawyers across multiple offices, and play a significant role in shaping the future direction of one of the firm's fastest-growing practice areas.

Our team handles a broad range of contentious matters including commercial litigation, building and construction disputes, insolvency and restructuring, director and shareholder disputes, security of payment matters, debt recovery and general commercial disputes. On any given day you might be dealing with a debt recovery proceeding, an urgent interlocutory injunction, a shareholder dispute or a complex construction dispute. This is an ideal role for a lawyer who enjoys the diversity of private practice and is comfortable acting across a wide range of matters rather than within a narrow specialist silo.





PCL has invested heavily in its digital presence, technology and business development initiatives and generates a significant volume of enquiries across its practice areas. The successful candidate will work closely with our Client Engagement Team and senior leadership to assess opportunities, conduct initial consultations, onboard new clients and convert enquiries into ongoing matters and long-term client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

1. Manage and supervise significant commercial litigation matters from commencement through to hearing and resolution.

2. Take a leading role in the day-to-day management, supervision and growth of the Sydney litigation practice.

3. Supervise, mentor and develop two Senior Associates together with a broader team of lawyers across Sydney and Melbourne.

4. Work collaboratively with Partners across offices as part of a shared national litigation team.

5. Provide strategic guidance, technical leadership and quality control across active matters.

6. Assist with workflow management, matter allocation, resourcing and team development.

7. Build and maintain strong client relationships and become a trusted adviser to clients and referral sources.

8. Work closely with the firm's Client Engagement Team to assess, onboard and convert new enquiries into ongoing matters.

9. Contribute to business development initiatives and help drive the continued growth of the firm's national litigation practice.

10. Assist in the development of team capability, leadership succession and long-term practice growth.

11. Work closely with the Managing Partner in managing and growing a substantial existing portfolio of commercial litigation matters and client relationships.

About You

You will ideally possess:

1. At least 10 years' post-admission experience, with candidates in the 12-15+ PQE range strongly encouraged to apply.

2. Strong commercial litigation experience gained within a respected disputes or commercial practice.

3. Experience in construction litigation, insolvency litigation or restructuring matters will be highly regarded.

4. Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring and developing lawyers.

5. Experience onboarding new matters, conducting initial client consultations and converting enquiries into ongoing client relationships.

6.



An appreciation of the commercial aspects of legal practice, including client service, matter profitability, business development and practice growth.

7. Excellent client management and communication skills.

8. Strong commercial judgment and a practical approach to dispute resolution.

9. The confidence, maturity and credibility to lead lawyers, manage clients and help drive practice growth.

10. A willingness to work across a broad range of disputes and adapt to the needs of a growing practice.

11. A genuine interest in leadership, team development and contributing to the long-term success of the firm.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is excited by the prospect of helping lead an established and growing practice, mentoring talented lawyers and building a long-term future within the firm.

What We Offer

1. A genuine leadership position within a growing national law firm.

2. The opportunity to assume responsibility for and help grow a substantial existing litigation practice.

3. Direct exposure to a diverse range of commercial, construction and insolvency disputes.

4. The opportunity to mentor and lead lawyers across Sydney and Melbourne.

5. Significant autonomy, responsibility and direct client engagement.

6. Direct involvement in strategic practice growth and business development.

7. A strong digital presence and established client acquisition platform generating substantial enquiry volumes.

8. Flexible working arrangements.

9. A supportive, collaborative and high-performing culture.

Why Join PCL?

This role is ideal for a senior litigator looking for the next stage of their career.

You may currently be a Senior Associate or Special Counsel looking for a genuine leadership chance. Equally, you may already be operating in a leadership role but are wanting more.

At PCL Lawyers, your contribution will have a visible impact. You will work directly with senior leadership, help develop talented lawyers, build meaningful client relationships and play a key role in the future growth of the practice.

For this role, you will not be expected to build a practice from scratch. You will join an established and growing team, inherit a substantial volume of work, and have access to a consistent pipeline of opportunities generated through the firm's reputation, referral network and digital presence.

Apply

Please apply via SEEK with your CV and a brief covering letter, or email ••••@pcllawyers.com.au

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

For a confidential discussion regarding the role, please contact Nelson Arias-Alvarez at ••••@pcllawyers.com.au

📌 Senior Commercial Litigation Lawyer (Sydney)
🏢 PCL Lawyers
📍 Sydney