Special Counsel – Commercial

• Award‑winning private practice

• Melbourne & Regional Victoria client base

• Shape and grow a thriving Commercial Law practice

Are you a seasoned Senior Associate ready to step into greater influence, or an established Special Counsel seeking a platform to lead? This is a rare opportunity to join a progressive, values‑driven private practice with a strong reputation across Victoria.

Working closely with the Managing Principal, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high‑quality commercial advice while contributing to the strategic growth of the practice.

Key Responsibilities

In this senior role, you will:

• Advise clients across commercial, franchising, corporate transactions, and business structuring matters.

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, shareholder agreements, MOUs, supply agreements, licensing arrangements, and service contracts.

• Lead complex commercial transactions including due diligence, business sales and acquisitions, restructures, and joint ventures.

• Provide strategic legal advice to minimise risk, ensure compliance, and support clients’ commercial objectives.

• Manage commercial disputes, regulatory responses, and negotiations with external stakeholders.

 Prepare submissions, responses and documentation for regulators and statutory bodies.

• Build and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor to SMEs, corporates, and emerging enterprises.

• Mentor and guide junior lawyers, contributing to capability uplift and knowledge sharing within the team.

• Support business development initiatives, including thought leadership, networking, and identifying opportunities for practice growth.

• Collaborate with internal practice groups to deliver integrated, client‑centred solutions.

Success Profile

To thrive in this role, you will bring:

• A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) with a minimum of 7 years post‑admission experience.

• Strong generalist commercial and corporate law capability, ideally with exposure to employment or franchising matters.

• Demonstrated experience managing complex transactions and providing strategic commercial advice.

• A sound understanding of Victorian regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements.

• High professional ethics, sound judgement, and a commitment to quality legal practice.

• Strong time management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

• A collaborative mindset with the confidence to work autonomously when required.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate legal concepts into practical advice for clients.

• An interest in mentoring, leadership, and contributing to the growth of a high‑performing team.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• A genuinely inclusive, progressive and people‑centred private practice.

• Exposure to a diverse client base across Melbourne and Regional Victoria.

• A platform to influence practice direction and drive commercial growth.

• Supportive leadership, flexible working options, and a culture that values balance and wellbeing.

If you’re ready to bring your expertise to a respected firm where your contribution will be valued and your career can continue to grow, we encourage you to apply.

Harvest Recruitment is proud to be an equal opportunity employer who values the contributions that a diverse workforce can bring to our community. Harvest Recruitment offers reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities on request.