Senior Associate / Special Counsel – Planning & Environment Law

About the role

Urban Legal is seeking a Senior Associate or Special Counsel to join its planning and environmental law team. You will work directly with sophisticated clients on high‑impact matters across NSW, enjoying significant autonomy and a modern, collaborative environment.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage substantial Land and Environment Court litigation.
• Advise councils on complex statutory interpretation, governance and policy issues.
• Guide major development projects through challenging planning pathways.
• Handle high‑profile, politically sensitive matters and appear at conciliation conferences, hearings and court proceedings.
• Provide clear, strategic advice that clients can understand and act upon.
• Mentor junior lawyers and support their professional development.
• Contribute to the firm’s growth, direction and innovation initiatives.

Required profile

• Sharp, practical and commercially aware legal professional.
• Strong judgment, independent decision‑making and a passion for solving complex problems.
• Commitment to high‑quality work and client service.
• Desire to help build a genuinely modern law firm and influence the NSW planning system.

Required skills

What we offer

• Flexible working arrangements that truly adapt to your needs.
• High‑quality, interesting work with direct client relationships.
• A modern, growing firm that leverages AI, automation and cloud‑based practice management.
• Collaborative team of smart, supportive professionals.