Associate - SWC & CTP

About us

HBA Legal is a team of award-winning solicitors offering a highly competitive suite of legal and technical claims services to meet the needs of today’s insurance marketplace. We have offices across the country in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Newcastle.

We are an evolved legal services business, with a different approach to practice. Bureaucracy is long banished in favour of plain-English, responsiveness and flexibility. We apply creative thinking to bring expert solutions across legal challenges, claims, risk and business processing.

Learn more by visiting our website: https://www.hbalegal.com/

About the role and your team

This role is situated in our Statutory Lines practice group in an established team lead by Partner, Ruth Slater. The specialist industry work is a combination of State Workers Compensation and Compulsory Third Party matters.

We're looking for an experienced 2-5 PAE Associate to join our Perth office ideally with prior experience across personal injury work and State Workers’ Compensation work either defendant or plaintiff based.

Key responsibilities include:

• Our team is recognised for its expertise in workers' compensation and compulsory third party (CTP) insurance, acting for insurers, self-insured organisations, government agencies and major corporations across Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.
• You will work on a broad portfolio of statutory and common law claims, including complex liability disputes, major and catastrophic injury matters, psychological injury claims, fraud, recovery actions and high-value litigation, while supporting clients with effective claims management strategies.
• Independently running a high volume of files to ensure the provision of advice and management of matters in a clear and logical manner within required timeframes developing sound case management strategies.
• Delegate work to other members of the team and provide them with the required training guidance and supervision.
• Proactively share knowledge, experience and insights with immediate and wider team in order to enhance client experience and internal knowledge management
• Ability to review and analyse evidence, prepare opinions on indemnity, liability and quantum
• Speak to witnesses and brief experts
• Court appearances and attending conferences
• Delegate and manage work to solicitors, paralegals and administrative assistants
• Maintain and develop strong client relationships through participating in value adding activities and support, keeping clients informed of case progress during the matter.
• Ensure understanding and compliance with firms’ policies and procedures
• Be an HBA brand ambassador through demonstrating support and contributing to the firm’s strategic vision and values.

What we're looking for

• Bachelor of Laws degree or equivalent
• Current practising certificate
• Approximately 2-5 years Post Admission Experience with a focus on personal injury work and State Workers’ Compensation work either defendant or plaintiff based
• Strong knowledge of the Western Australian Workers’ Compensation system, CAS processes, and Workers’ Compensation and Injury Management Act
• Experience preparing and defending Workcover applications, attending conciliation and arbitration conferences and procedural hearings
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound legal advice in insurance law
• Ability to efficiently and accurately analyse evidence, and provide strategic advice
• High ethical standards and professionalism
• High level oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work autonomously
• Strong time management and organisation skills
• Demonstrated ability to build effective client relationships and manage expectations

What we can offer you

• Agile Working environment: We understand life is not 1 size fits all. So, we trust you to work in a way that suits you best. Explore options for hybrid work, part time hours, and extra purchased leave.
• Relaxed office environment where you can “Dress for your Day”.
• Up to 12 weeks Paid Parental Leaving depending on years of service.
• Structured mentoring and career development opportunities through internal and external training.
• Health and Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Program with 24/7 complimentary confidential counselling, nutrition, legal, and financial advice. Corporate headspace membership, and annual flu vaccinations.
• Enjoy your birthday off with friends and family with an extra day of birthday leave per year.
• Access to everyday discounts through our corporate discount schemes.

Why HBA?

We strive to create an environment where people can and do perform at their very best. They understand what we are creating, and they want to be a part of it, because they understand the difference that we make to our clients’ lives. And where we succeed, we share the rewards and recognise people in ways that celebrate our achievements.

HBA is all about doing things differently. We challenge the stereotypes associated with traditional law firms in terms of our structure, management style and way of life. Creativity and innovation are at the heart of everything we do.

Next steps

If you’re interested in a career with HBA, then please apply to this vacancy via Seek or reach out to us directly at [email protected]

Please know that as much as we would like to, we can’t always get back to everyone. At this stage, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We encourage people of all genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities and people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply for this role.

Please note in order to comply with our regulatory obligations, all successful candidates must consent to HBA Legal conducting background checks.