Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we're focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition - which is to help you achieve yours.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Senior Associate in Melbourne or Sydney, with a primary focus on competition and consumer law disputes.

In this role, you will work on high‑profile, complex contentious matters involving alleged anti‑competitive conduct, misuse of market power, cartel conduct, mergers-related litigation, and consumer protection disputes. You will act for major domestic and global clients facing ACCC investigations, enforcement action and litigation, and you will provide strategic advice on the full lifecycle of competition and consumer law disputes, from early risk assessment through to trial.

You will play a key role in defending clients in strategically significant investigations and proceedings, managing regulator engagement, and advising on contentious issues arising under the Competition and Consumer Act and related legislative frameworks.

Our clients operate across a wide range of sectors including consumer goods, retail, technology, media and telecommunications, and financial services.

Under the leadership of Partners Linda Evans, Liza Carver, Patrick Gay, Sarah Benbow, Patrick Clark, Stephanie Panayi and Jared Peut, our CRT practice works as a tightly integrated national and global team, offering exposure to market‑leading matters and unparalleled career development opportunities.

What you'll do

• Lead and manage major competition and consumer law disputes, including litigation and ACCC enforcement proceedings.

• Advise clients on dispute strategy, enforcement risk, and complex regulatory issues in collaboration with our market‑leading disputes team.

• Support clients through investigations involving alleged anti‑competitive conduct or consumer law breaches, including responding to ACCC notices and dawn raids.

• Work closely with partners and senior stakeholders on multi‑jurisdictional contentious matters.

• Mentor and develop junior lawyers within the team.

What you'll bring

• Experience as a Senior Associate in a leading competition or disputes practice, with a focus on competition or consumer law disputes and regulatory investigations.

• Strong technical expertise and commercial acumen.

• Excellent communication skills and a commitment to providing exceptional service to our clients.

• A collaborative approach with the ability to effectively manage junior lawyers and drive matters through to completion.

• An eagerness to support business development initiatives and the growth of the CRT practice.

• An innovative mindset, curious about AI and emerging technologies.

What you can expect from us:

• We're a world leading international law firm with a global team of over 6,000 professionals across 26 offices. As the market leader in Australia, we are committed to high performance, collaboration, diversity and digital innovation. We are client-centred, commercially driven, and renowned for our solution-focused expertise. We will align your growth with our ambitions.

• We make your personal and professional growth our business. And as part of the team, our ambition is yours too. Wherever you are in your career: grow and help the firm grow with you.

• We will provide opportunities to learn on the job as well as a mix of learning opportunities tailored to you. Daily experiences, supportive challenges, team collaboration, mentors, and structured learning opportunities help you to expand your knowledge and reach your goals.

• We value your wellbeing, both at home and work and we place a strong emphasis on mental health. If you need support, you'll have it and we'll empower you to harness your personal strengths, navigate uncertainty, embrace opportunities, and effectively manage things within your control.

• For more benefits on offer such as our 26 weeks paid parental leave, holistic wellbeing fund or home office allowance please .

• Join us to be part of a human, bold and outstanding team at Australia's market leading law firm.

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values-Human, Bold, and Outstanding.

For any questions or a confidential discussion, please contact Carissa Bartels, Recruitment Manager (carissa.bartels@hsfkramer.com).

Team

Competition, Regulation & TradeFull time

Location

Melbourne, Sydney

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values-Human, Bold, and Outstanding.