Special Counsel (Asbestos & Dust Diseases and Medical Negligence)

We welcome fearless thinkers.

For over 100 years, Maurice Blackburn has stood up for those who need us most. With courage and compassion, we extend access to justice to countless Australians. We look beyond the immediate challenge to support people in moments that matter across their lives, and continually push for better solutions for our clients. We invest in and empower our people to stand up for what we believe in and go fearlessly forward together.

We work on real cases, achieving important and positive results in real people’s lives, which is why we are one of Australia’s most respected law firms. Maurice Blackburn, experience you can count on.

About the role 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Special Counsel to join our Adelaide office on a full-time or part-time (4 days per week), permanent basis. This position sits within our Asbestos & Dust Diseases and Medical Negligence Teams. You will have the opportunity to manage your own practice, producing high quality work for our clients whilst maintaining a practical and commercial focus. In this role you will be constantly challenged and expanding your skill set. You will meet with potential clients and use your technical knowledge and expertise to strive for fair outcomes.

Our Asbestos, Silica and Occupational Disease Team have accumulated more than 20 years of experience in Dust Diseases litigation and pride themselves on ensuring that their clients not only receive the best compensation result but provide exceptional services during our client’s compensation journey. 

Our Medical Negligence team are leaders in the field, with a focus on high profile, catastrophic, complex and sensitive matters. Many of the team have been recognised externally for their expertise in this area, providing excellent opportunities for training and mentorship. The team has successfully represented hundreds of patients and their families, securing favourable outcomes across all areas of medical negligence, including coronial Inquests.

Using your high levels of interpersonal communication skills, and ‘can-do’ attitude you will have the ability to easily manage conflicting business needs and deadlines with confidence in your ability to prioritise accordingly. With your strong client focus and passion for helping people you will foster and manage relationships with referrers and other external parties while also looking to grow our incredible practice.  Part of this role will also provide support and mentoring to our junior legal staff.

The experience we are looking for 

• 7+ years post admission experience  
• Experience working within a personal injuries’ litigation environment with a background in dust diseases and/or medical negligence matters
• Ability to supervise and train others, including paralegals and junior lawyers
• Proven leadership and people management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills with experience providing high level client service
• Willingness to assist other team members, especially junior solicitors
• Display empathy and compassion for our clients
• Ability to think creatively to find legal and advocacy solutions for our clients
• Experience in working with a team to prepare matters for mediation and hearing
• Capability to draft court documents, letters of advice and conduct complex legal research in novel and unfamiliar areas of law

Here are our exceptional Team MB Benefits: 

• Ongoing coaching and career development opportunities  
• End of Year leave, 1 day first year, 4 days after 2 years 
• Comprehensive mental health framework, including wellbeing leave (up to 4 extra days per year) and $299 reimbursement 
• 22 Weeks Parental leave with your superannuation guaranteed and back-to-work transition policy 
• Rewards and recognition platform with fitness, retail, and entertainment discounts 
• A hybrid flex working model 
• Salary Continuance & Life Insurance 
• 17.5% Annual Leave Loading 

… just to name a few. *T's & C's apply 

Our shared values represent what we stand for and guide how we act, with Courage; Compassion; Collaboration; Fairness and Tenacity. 

We love that you have a life outside of work and we’re happy to support yours. We provide you a safe, supportive and collaborative environment, backed by inclusive leaders and progressive people policies, where you can be your authentic self and thrive. Here we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, enriched by differences in ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, age and family arrangements. Applications from First Nations People are encouraged. 

Are you ready to join us on a journey to extend access to justice to more Australians, in an organisation and role in which every action you take makes a difference? Apply now. 

Our Circle Back Initiative partnership means we’re committed to responding to every applicant. 

Please note that all successful candidates will be required to undergo background checks as part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and compliant workplace