Senior Associate to Special Counsel – Environment & Planning Law

Senior Associate to Special Counsel – Environment & Planning Law

Full-Time 90000 - 110000 $ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead complex legal matters in environment and planning law, advising on urban development and renewables.
  • Company: Join a respected national firm with strong ties to local government and private sectors.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
  • Other info: Step into a leadership role within a high-performing, stable team.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a strategic role while working on significant legal projects.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years' experience in environment and planning law with strong advisory skills.

The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 $ per year.

  • Senior Associate to Special Counsel – Environment & Planning Law
  • 2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
  • Direct message the job poster from Mc Manus Partners

Partner and Legal Recruitment | Catered Practice Development Modules for Senior Associate & Special Counsels.

  • Join a respected practice with deep relationships across local government and the private sector, recognised for technical depth across both planning and environmental frameworks.
  • Lead sophisticated matters across urban development, renewables, waste, infrastructure, and compulsory acquisition.
  • Step into a strategic succession role with a national firm actively growing its Queensland presence.

The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to align with a highly regarded environment and planning partner, whose work sits at the intersection of litigation strategy and policy influence.

This role offers access to matters that are both complex and commercially significant across both litigation and approvals from large-scale master planning and infrastructure to regulatory frameworks and renewables project advisory - across local government, government-owned corporations, and major private entities.

With a strong presence in Queensland including across the regions, and an embedded client base, the team has developed a reputation for navigating legal and regulatory issues at scale.

The incoming senior lawyer will join a stable and high-performing team, stepping into a succession pathway.

It is a considered opportunity for a Senior Associate or Special Counsel to take on enduring stakeholder relationships and enjoy working with one of the β€˜inner circle’ in terms of E&P leadership as part of a team that offers deep sector trust.

The broader firm continues to grow nationally, with recent strategic partner appointments across multiple offices and a clear focus on the planning and environment capability within its full-service offering.

The Role

  • The role spans both planning and environment, with direct exposure to matters such as:
  • Strategic advice for urban development and master-planned communities, including approvals and native title issues, to due diligence for transactions
  • Regulatory navigation and compliance for renewables and energy projects.
  • Approvals, enforcement, and compulsory acquisition across local government and private sector clients.
  • Advice on regional planning, master planning, and state planning policies.
  • Planning and Environment Court appeals, declaratory proceedings, and development offences.

About You

  • Senior Associate or Special Counsel with at least 6 years' PQE in environment and planning law.

Demonstrated experience advising government bodies, infrastructure developers, or private sector clients on Queensland’s planning and environmental frameworks.

  • Strong capability managing both advisory and contentious matters independently, with a focus on precision and commercial outcomes.
  • Interest in stepping into a visible, client-facing leadership role, with support from a high-performing, well-resourced team.
  • LLB, strong academics

If you would like to explore the finer details, please feel free to get in contact directly to discuss further.

Your details and consult will be held in the strictest of confidence.

Felicity Mc Manus – Director linkedin. com/in/felicity-mcmanus mcmanuspartners. com. au

Mc Manus Partners support career moves that elevate.

This is our primary purpose.

Operating on a national scale, we bring over 20 years expertise consulting lawyers in their career, a deep knowledge of the legal environment, and have the ability to support all practice areas, including Corporate & Commercial, Litigation & Disputes, Property & Real Estate, Environment & Planning, Workplace, Resources and Infrastructure & Construction.

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Senior Associate to Special Counsel – Environment & Planning Law employer: McManus Partners

McManus Partners is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for Senior Associates and Special Counsels in Environment & Planning Law to thrive within a respected national firm. With a strong focus on professional development, a collaborative work culture, and access to complex, commercially significant matters, employees can expect meaningful growth and the chance to build enduring relationships with key stakeholders in Queensland's legal landscape.

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Contact Details:

McManus Partners Recruitment Team

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Associate to Special Counsel – Environment & Planning Law

Environment and Planning Law
Advisory Skills
Contentious Matters Management
Regulatory Navigation
Compliance for Renewables Projects
Urban Development Expertise
Master Planning