BlackBay Lawyers is a specialist litigation firm where Associates do more than assist - they advise, strategise and lead.
We act in complex commercial disputes, employment litigation and defamation matters for ASX-listed companies, founders, boards and high-profile individuals.
We were named Boutique Law Firm of the Year **** and are finalists again in ****.
We are seeking an Associate who wants real responsibility, direct client relationships, and the autonomy to develop within a high-performing litigation firm.
This role is suited to a litigator with experience or strong interest in defamation and reputation law who is technically excellent, commercially sharp, and frustrated by hierarchy, politics or being kept one step removed from clients and decisions.
Associate – Defamation & Reputation Law
Sydney CBD | High-Autonomy Role
BlackBay Lawyers is a specialist litigation firm where Associates do more than assist - they advise, strategise and lead.
We act in complex commercial disputes, employment litigation and defamation matters for ASX-listed companies, founders, boards and high-profile individuals.
We were named Boutique Law Firm of the Year **** and are finalists again in ****.
We are seeking an Associate who wants real responsibility, direct client relationships, and the autonomy to develop within a high-performing litigation firm.
This role is suited to a litigator with experience or solid interest in defamation and reputation law who is technically excellent, commercially sharp, and frustrated by hierarchy, politics or being kept one step removed from clients and decisions.
The Role
At BlackBay, Associates are trusted with meaningful responsibility.
You will:




Work on complex defamation and reputation matters with genuine autonomy
Act for high-profile individuals, public figures, executives and corporate clients
Advise clients directly on media disputes, concerns notices, publication risks and litigation strategy
Prepare and run proceedings in the Federal Court and Supreme Courts
Draft concerns notices, imputations, defences and interlocutory applications
Assist with urgent injunctive relief and takedown matters
Take an active role in negotiations, mediations and strategic decision-making
Contribute to the growth and depth of the defamation and reputation practice
This is not a back-end drafting role.
You will be client-facing, trusted to exercise independent judgment and accountable for outcomes.
Who This Role Is For
This role is designed for:
Associates (approximately 2–5 PQE)
Litigators who: have experience or a genuine interest in defamation, media or reputation law
want ownership over their work, not just tasks
value direct client contact
are confident, precise and commercially aware
expect progression to follow performance, not tenure
You are comfortable being relied upon - by clients and partners.
What You Get
High-profile, intellectually demanding litigation
Direct access to Partners and decision-makers
Active support to build your professional profile, reputation and market presence
Private office in Martin Place (every lawyer)
Remuneration and progression aligned to contribution and impact, not time.
A collegiate, ego-free culture with high standards
A clear long-term career path in a firm scaling deliberately and sustainably
#J-*****-Ljbffr

📌 Associate - Defamation & Reputation (Sydney)
🏢 BlackBay Lawyers
📍 Sydney