At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft and negotiate contracts while providing practical legal advice across the business.
- Company: Join a purpose-led organisation in Sydney with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work, gym access, and wellbeing initiatives.
- Other info: Enjoy a flexible work environment with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a growing organisation while working closely with the CEO.
- Qualifications: 3+ years PQE, strong commercial drafting skills, and a collaborative approach.
The predicted salary is between 156000 - 168000 $ per year.
Excellent opportunity for a Legal Counsel with 3+ years PQE to join a purpose-led organisation in Sydney on a 12-month parental leave contract. Working directly with the General Counsel, you will run a broad in-house commercial and advisory practice, drafting and negotiating contracts and giving practical advice across the business. This is a full-time, hybrid role with one day a week in the office, paying $156,000 to $168,000 including superannuation.
The Company operates in a regulated environment, working closely with government, industry partners and suppliers. Its work delivers clear public benefit, and people join because they want their work to count for something. The business is small and close-knit, with a supportive, collegiate CEO and a flexible, inclusive culture. It is preparing for a period of significant growth, which will bring more suppliers, more contracts and more work with government.
The Role involves working hand in hand with an experienced General Counsel in a small in-house legal team. Compliance sits with a separate Audit and Risk function, so this is a purely legal role, focused on commercial and advisory work, with regular contact with the CEO and Executive Team. Key responsibilities will include:
- Reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, including supplier, customer, services and consultancy agreements
- Giving practical advice on contract interpretation, regulatory, employment, privacy and intellectual property matters
- Developing and maintaining legal templates, policies and internal guidelines
- Monitoring legal and regulatory developments and helping the business respond to them
- Maintaining legal records and supporting legal risk reporting to the General Counsel and Executive Team
- Managing low-risk disputes and pre-litigation matters with the General Counsel
- Delivering legal training to staff across the business
- Supporting contracts and arrangements with government, industry participants and suppliers as the business grows
About You: You are a commercial lawyer who likes being close to the business. You give clear, practical advice to non-lawyers, handle a busy workload well and enjoy being part of a small team. This Legal Counsel role would suit someone ready for their first in-house move or an in-house lawyer looking for broad, varied work. You will ideally bring:
- A law degree (or equivalent) and admission in NSW, with a current unrestricted practising certificate
- At least 3 years post-admission experience, with private practice experience preferred
- Strong commercial drafting and negotiation skills
- Broad advisory experience, with regulatory or government contracting exposure a plus
- An organised, accountable approach, following through and managing competing priorities
- A collaborative style and an interest in getting to know the business
- Confidence working with government and industry stakeholders
On Offer: Salary of $156,000 to $168,000 including superannuation. Full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract (parental leave cover) based in Sydney's Inner West. Hybrid working, with just one day a week in the office. Office a short walk from the train, with parking contributions. Direct reporting line to the General Counsel, with regular exposure to the CEO and Executive Team. A handover from mid-November 2026. On-site amenities, including gym access, cafes and childcare. Wellbeing initiatives, including access to counselling sessions. Support for professional and personal development. Peer recognition, rewards and discounts, plus regular social events.
Why Apply? A broad commercial and advisory in-house role with real variety. To work closely with an experienced, supportive General Counsel. A purely legal role, without a compliance workload on the side. Visibility with the CEO and Executive Team. To join an organisation heading into a period of growth. Purpose-led work and flexibility that respects life outside work.
Legal Counsel – In-House in Sydney employer: Dovetail Legal Solutions
Join a dynamic infrastructure business in the heart of Sydney CBD, where you will play a pivotal role as Senior Legal Counsel in a collaborative and growth-oriented environment. With competitive remuneration and hybrid working flexibility, this position offers the chance to work closely with an experienced General Counsel, shaping legal frameworks that support significant national projects while fostering your professional development in a hands-on, business-facing role.
