Our client is a growing commercial law firm seeking an experienced Senior Associate – Property & Development to join its Melbourne practice.

This is an opportunity for an accomplished property lawyer looking to take on a senior position with greater autonomy, direct client exposure and leadership responsibility across a diverse range of sophisticated commercial property and development transactions.

Working closely with the Principal, you'll independently manage complex property matters and play a key role in supporting and mentoring junior members of the Property team.

The practice advises on a broad range of commercial and specialist property developments, with transactions regularly exceeding $10 million and ranging up to approximately $150 million.

The role is particularly suited to a technically strong, commercially minded property lawyer who can confidently manage complex transactions, build trusted client relationships and deliver practical legal solutions.

Advantages

- Exposure to complex development structures and high-value commercial projects.
- Diverse projects including childcare, medical, student accommodation, co-living, data centres, renewable energy and greenfield developments.
- Supervise and mentor junior lawyers and paralegals.
- Melbourne CBD office with longer-term career progression opportunities.
- $150-170k + super

What You'll Do

- Independently manage a diverse portfolio of commercial property and development transactions, including acquisitions and disposals, subdivisions, off-the-plan developments and other complex property matters, from initial instructions through to completion.
- Advise developers, investors, business owners and private clients on property transactions, development projects, contractual arrangements and associated commercial and legal risks.
- Draft, review and negotiate complex contracts of sale,



commercial and retail leases, agreements for lease and other property and development documentation.
- Advise on sophisticated property development structures, including options, development management agreements, joint ventures and project-specific arrangements.
- Lead property due diligence processes, including reviewing title, encumbrances, contractual arrangements and transaction risks, and provide commercially focused recommendations.
- Advise on property financing and refinancing transactions, including reviewing and negotiating associated security and financing documentation.
- Manage key client relationships, providing proactive legal advice, managing expectations and acting as a trusted adviser throughout transactions.
- Work across Victorian and interstate property transactions, collaborating with external advisers where specialist jurisdictional expertise is required.
- Work closely with financiers, accountants, consultants and other professional advisers to structure and deliver commercially effective transaction outcomes.
- Supervise and mentor junior lawyers and paralegals, including delegating work, reviewing legal documentation, providing technical guidance and supporting their professional development.
- Contribute to the continued development of the Property practice through strong client service, knowledge sharing and the identification of opportunities to strengthen existing client relationships.

What You'll Bring





- Ideally 5+ years' post-qualification experience (PQE) with substantial experience in Commercial Property Law.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex property and development transactions from commencement through to completion.
- Strong technical experience across commercial property acquisitions and disposals, property development, leasing, contracts of sale and property due diligence.
- Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial property and development documentation.
- Strong commercial judgement and the ability to identify legal risks, advise on transaction structures and deliver practical solutions.
- Confidence managing sophisticated clients, including developers, investors, business owners and senior commercial stakeholders.
- Excellent legal drafting, negotiation, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience supervising, mentoring or providing technical guidance to junior lawyers and paralegals.
- Experience with complex development arrangements, including options, joint ventures or development management agreements, will be highly regarded.
- Experience across multiple Australian jurisdictions, particularly NSW, Queensland or Western Australia, would be advantageous.
- FIRB experience is beneficial but not essential.

For an experienced Property Associate ready to progress into a Senior Associate position, or an existing Senior Associate seeking greater autonomy and exposure to sophisticated property and development transactions, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution within a growing commercial law firm.

*This role is based onsite in Melbourne. Applicants must have unrestricted working rights in Australia and hold, or be eligible to hold, a current Australian Practising Certificate.

📌 Senior Associate - Property & Development (Melbourne)
🏢 You Want Group
📍 Melbourne