Associate - Environment & Planning

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global legal practice. We provide the world's pre-eminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 4000 lawyers based in over 58 offices across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Our Environment & Planning practice is recognised as one of the leading teams in Australia and demand on our services has created an opportunity for an Associate to join the Melbourne team working primarily with market leading Partners Elisa de Wit and Jacqueline Plant.

With a stronger focus on the Environment side of the practice, this is an opportunity to get involved in some really interesting litigious and non-litigious environmental and climate law matters, working across both the public and private sectors. You will be engaged in a mix of transaction, advice and litigation work in the areas of Climate Change, Carbon, major project approvals, environmental licensing and compliance, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Court proceedings, contaminated land and waste management, water law, risk management and incident response.

In addition, the role offers fantastic personal and career development through our International Academy, an award-winning, internationally-integrated career development programme that you will follow throughout your working life at the firm. The International Academy is designed to prepare you for each step in your legal career and is complimented by the excellent practical experience you'll gain through working with our supportive partners who operate at the top of their field.

To be considered for this role you must have;

• A minimum of 2 years PQE gained within a reputable Environment & Planning practice
• Strong time management & organisational skills with the capacity to manage multiple projects and conflicting priorities simultaneously
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including strong commercial drafting skills
• Strong academic achievements

The successful candidate will need to be an energetic, driven and focused individual with exceptional academic achievements. At Norton Rose Fulbright, you will be rewarded with genuine career prospects and an excellent team environment renowned for its collaborative culture, passion for client service and professional development opportunities. Remuneration will be commensurate with relevant experience.

Norton Rose Fulbright values diversity and strives to create an inclusive environment. We are proud that Norton Rose Fulbright in Australia has been recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) as well as a gold tier employer for LGBTI Inclusion through the Australian Workplace Equality Index. In 2025 we were re-accredited as a Family Inclusive Workplace and always encourage people to discuss flexible and hybrid work options with us.

We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

To apply online click the 'Apply' button below. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process or if the application portal is inaccessible to you, please don't hesitate to contact Yvette Borradale via (03) 8686 6003 or [email protected] for a confidential discussion.

If you are trans or gender diverse and would like a confidential discussion before applying, please contact Yvette Borradale (03) 8686 6003 or Scott Baker (02) 9330 8578.

Please be aware in the course of routine work some of our lawyers and teams can be exposed to details of trauma. The firm has controls in place including educational and psychological support. Our talent team can provide further details.