About Herbert Smith Freehills As one of the world’s leading law firms, we advise many of the largest and most ambitious organisations across all major regions of the globe. With over 5,000 people, including 3,100 lawyers and over 2,000 business services professionals, operating from our global network of offices across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and North America, Herbert Smith Freehills is at the heart of the new global business landscape providing premium quality, full-service legal advice. We recognise that the success of our business and our clients relies on the skills, knowledge and ideas of all our people. Our environment is one in which high performance is expected, in return, we will provide you with rewards and opportunities tailored to your personal and professional goals. The Opportunity We are seeking a Senior Associate to join our award-winning Corporate Energy, Resources, and Infrastructure team in our Melbourne office. You will be working with leading Partners Nick Baker and Neena Aynsley, as well as other Corporate Energy, Resources, and Infrastructure Partners across our national practice. Nick is listed as a leading energy and infrastructure M&A lawyer in various publications, including Chambers, Legal 500 and Best Lawyers, and is our Global Co-Head of Energy. Neena is an energy and resource specialist with a breadth of experience in project development, joint ventures, acquisitions, divestments, and commercial contracts and is listed as a leading lawyer for upstream and downstream energy and resources in Doyle’ Guide to the legal profession. Our clients include leading diversified and renewable energy companies, upstream/midstream O&G and LNG companies, and financial sponsors active in the energy, resources, and infrastructure sectors. Regular clients include ANZ, bp, Brookfield, AGL, Alinta, EnergyAustralia, ENGIE, Goldman Sachs, IFM, I-Squared, Macquarie Capital and the State Electricity Commission. You will benefit from exceptional learning opportunities working on ’first in the market’ deals and with clients, in Australia and internationally, who are at the forefront of the energy transition. Your day could typically involve: Advising on acquisitions and divestments, joint ventures, investment platforms, project development, and commercial contracts in the energy, resources, and infrastructure sector (including thermal and renewables power generation, battery and pumped hydro storage, hydrogen, upstream/midstream O&G, LNG, and port and rail). Supporting a strong multinational and regional client portfolio. A mix of advisory and transactional work. Working closely with team members in Australia and globally on transactions and projects throughout Australia, the Asia-Pacific, and South America. Working closely with other practice groups, in particular project finance and procurement/construction. Mentoring junior associates in the team and assisting with training to junior associates both in the team and across the firm. To be successful in this role you will have: An Australian or New Zealand practicing certificate, with at least 5 years’ experience with clients in the energy, resources, or infrastructure sectors, preferably with solid corporate transactional experience. A strong academic record, coupled with excellent legal skills and a practical mindset. Demonstrated ability to comprehend complex legal matters. A proactive approach and desire to be an integral member of our leading and supportive team. Capability to work effectively within tight timeframes, both collaboratively and autonomously. A hunger to learn and develop and be part of maintaining a market-leading practice. What you can expect from us: We’re a world-leading international law firm with a global team of over 5,000 professionals. As the market leader in Australia, we are committed to high performance, collaboration, diversity, and digital innovation. We are client-centered, 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 well-being, 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 well-being fund, or home office allowance please click/copy this link into your browser: https://marketing.hsf.com/20/29354/landing-pages/hsf-benefits.pdf Join us to be part of a human, bold, and outstanding team at Australia’s market-leading law firm. We encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to First Nations, LGBTIQA+ and neurodivergent individuals, as well as individuals of all ages, cultures, genders, and abilities. We’re a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace and celebrate the diversity of our people. For more information or a confidential discussion, please reach out to Ashley Irving, Recruitment Manager at ashley.irving@hsf.com. Team Projects, Energy & Infra Working Pattern Full time Location Melbourne Contract type Permanent Contract Diversity & Inclusion At Herbert Smith Freehills you will be part of a diverse, innovative culture where high performance, client focus and highly engaged people are our differentiator. People at our firm come from a range of backgrounds and bring a wide variety of experiences and perspectives to their work with us. We strive to ensure that our inclusive environment means you feel valued and able to perform at your best by being your authentic self at work. We know that our future success not only depends on being innovative and progressive in the changing legal market but, most importantly, on our people feeling highly engaged in meaningful work. We understand that you have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to create a working environment based on mutual trust and respect, in which you can perform at your best whilst maintaining sustainable balance across your life.