Planning & Environment Lawyer / SA

About the Firm

We are working with a top-tier law firm is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate to join its growing Environment & Planning (E&P) team in Brisbane.

The E&P team is part of the firm’s highly regarded Real Estate and Development Group and plays an integral role in major projects across Australia and internationally.

This is an opportunity to work closely with leading lawyers in the field, collaborating across jurisdictions on significant projects in mining, energy, resources, water, and property development.

The firm supports lawyers in developing a niche specialisation while also building a strong foundation across the broader practice.

The Role

Working directly with a highly respected partner, the successful candidate will be involved in a broad range of advisory, transactional, and litigious work for clients in various industries. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic planning approval and regulatory advice for projects in mining, energy (including renewables), infrastructure, and property development across multiple sectors (residential, retail, commercial, industrial, logistics, aged care).
• Appearing in approval litigation appeals, judicial reviews, land acquisition/valuation proceedings, and environmental and planning prosecutions across multiple jurisdictions (Planning and Environment Court, Land Court, Magistrates Court, Federal Court).
• Conducting due diligence investigations for major transactions in conjunction with the firm’s market-leading M&A and project financing practices.
• Advising on contaminated land issues, environmental licensing, regulatory compliance, and environmental incident response.
• Assisting clients with biodiversity conservation, offsets agreements, heritage and environmental protection legislation reforms.
• Advising on bulk water projects, including upgrade approvals, environmental assessments, and regulatory approvals.

This is a permanent, full-time position, but flexible and hybrid working arrangements are available to suit individual needs.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Experience working in an Environment & Planning team, ideally at a top-tier, international, Australian, or boutique law firm.
• Some exposure to E&P litigation.
• A strong understanding of planning and environmental law with the ability to provide strategic and commercial advice.
• The ability to manage matters effectively and build strong client relationships.
• A proactive approach to business development, including participating in pitch documents, industry events, and article writing.
• A collaborative mindset and a strong team ethic.
• A desire to grow as an Environment & Planning lawyer and leader.

Benefits & Career Development

This role offers market-leading remuneration, a generous incentive program, and access to international secondment opportunities. Additional benefits include:

• Health & Wellbeing: Fully subsidised gym memberships, annual flu vaccinations, and access to an Employee Assistance Program.
• Flexibility: Hybrid and flexible working arrangements, along with support for working from home.
• Leave Options: The ability to purchase additional leave and a progressive parental leave policy (26 weeks paid leave with no minimum service requirement).
• Career Development: A structured career progression framework, mentoring, and the opportunity to work on high-profile matters across multiple sectors.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Environment & Planning lawyer looking to advance their career in a top-tier legal environment.

If you are interested in this role, or indeed other opportunities that we are working on, please reach out to Ross Dakin at Peppercorn Recruitment for a confidential discussion on 0431267250 or email ross@peppercornrecruitment.com.au