Job Description
Job Description
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Family Lawyer - Associate / Senior Associate (Special Counsel considered)
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Melbourne
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Location: Melbourne Practice Area: Family Law Level: Associate or Senior Associate - exceptional candidates at Special Counsel level are also encouraged to apply
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About the Firm
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Our client is a well-established, boutique law firm based in Melbourne with a robust reputation for delivering high-quality, client-focused family law services. The firm has built a loyal client base over many years through a genuinely personal approach to what is often a difficult and emotional area of law, combined with strong technical expertise.
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The team is small and close-knit, which means new lawyers are given real client contact and genuine ownership of their files from early on, rather than being buried in someone else's matters. It's a firm that prides itself on a supportive, collegiate culture, sensible workloads, and a practical, no-nonsense approach to legal practice - you won't find layers of unnecessary bureaucracy here.
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While family law is the core of the practice, the firm also offers complementary services in wills and estates and property law, giving lawyers exposure to a broader range of work should they want it, and a genuinely full-service client experience.
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About the Role
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This is an excellent opportunity for a family lawyer looking for genuine autonomy, quality work, and a firm that will invest in their long-term career. You'll manage a varied family law caseload with strong support from experienced principals, and have real input into how matters are run.
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Typical matters will include:
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Separation and divorce
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Property and financial settlements
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Parenting arrangements and child custody matters
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Family violence matters, including intervention order proceedings
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Some exposure to child protection matters
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Depending on your level of experience, you may also have the opportunity to mentor junior staff, contribute to business development, and take on greater file ownership and client relationship management.
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About You
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Admitted to practice in Victoria, with solid post-admission experience in family law (typically 3+ years for Associate level, 5+ years for Senior Associate, and more extensive experience for Special Counsel candidates)
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Robust technical family law knowledge across parenting, property, and family violence matters
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Confident running your own file load with appropriate supervision
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Excellent communication skills and genuine empathy — this firm's clients are often going through one of the hardest periods of their lives
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A collaborative, team-first attitude that fits a close-knit firm culture
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Prior experience with family violence/intervention order matters highly regarded
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What's on Offer
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Competitive remuneration, commensurate with experience
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Genuine autonomy and file ownership from day one
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Supportive, down-to-earth team culture with sensible workloads
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A firm that values long-term careers over short-term billables
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Exposure to complementary practice areas for those who want to broaden their skill set
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Flexible working arrangements considered
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All enquiries and applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

📌 Associate / Senior Associate - Family Law (Victoria)
🏢 Hooker And Heijden
📍 Victoria