Job Description:

Join a well-established and growing Wills & Estates practice in Melbourne, offering the chance to lead complex estate litigation matters, work with a diverse client base and help shape the continued growth of a highly regarded boutique firm. With a supportive and collaborative culture, hybrid working and the opportunity to build your practice alongside experienced practitioners, this is an exciting next step for an experienced Wills & Estates lawyer.

While Wills & Estates is not our usual area of specialism, this client was simply too great an opportunity to pass up. We're genuinely excited to be partnering with them on this key appointment during a period of rapid growth and look forward to connecting with an exceptional lawyer who wants to make a meaningful contribution to the team.

The Opportunity

You will lead a portfolio of contentious probate and estate litigation matters, managing files from initial instructions through to resolution with a high degree of autonomy. Working closely with the broader Wills & Estates team, you will provide technical and advisory support, mentor junior lawyers and graduates, and contribute to the continued development and profile of the practice.

The work will span will validity challenges, family provision claims, executor and trustee disputes, powers of attorney and guardianship disputes, as well as superannuation disputes and VCAT matters. You will also have the opportunity to support estate planning and administration work, drawing on your contentious experience to help clients anticipate and reduce dispute risk.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead contentious probate and estate litigation matters, including will validity challenges, family provision claims and executor and trustee disputes.

- Manage matters from initial instructions through to resolution, including strategy, evidence, pleadings, court documents, mediations and hearings.

- Provide clear, practical advice to clients on complex and sensitive legal issues, including prospects, strategy and costs.





- Support estate planning and administration matters, applying your contentious experience to identify and reduce potential disputes.

- Mentor and supervise junior lawyers and graduates while contributing to business development, referral relationships and the growth of the practice.

About You

- An Australian-admitted lawyer with 10+ years' post-admission experience, predominantly in Wills & Estates.

- Strong experience independently managing contentious probate and estate litigation matters, including family provision claims, will challenges and executor or trustee disputes.

- Sound knowledge of succession and trusts law, strong procedural knowledge and confident advocacy skills.

- Excellent drafting and client advisory skills, with the ability to explain sensitive issues clearly and provide commercially practical advice.

- A collaborative and approachable leader who enjoys mentoring others, building relationships and growing a practice within a supportive team.

What's on Offer

- A supportive, down-to-earth and collaborative boutique environment.

- Hybrid working arrangements and flexibility to support work-life commitments.

- The opportunity to lead a practice area, mentor junior lawyers and help drive team growth.

- Career development and mentoring from experienced practitioners.

- Additional benefits including two extra days of annual leave, wellbeing support and regular team social activities.

If this sounds like you, please apply today or reach out for a confidential discussion with Chantel Forster on:

View email address on viewjobs.com.au

View phone number on viewjobs.com.au

Elwyn Forster respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, live, learn and play. We are also committed to equality, diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.

Should you require assistance in your interactions with us or through a recruitment process, please let us know so we can provide adjustments for you.

📌 Special Counsel - Wills & Estates, Melbourne
🏢 Elwyn Forster
📍 Melbourne