The Opportunity We are seeking a Senior Associate to join our Projects, Energy and Infrastructure team based in Melbourne. In this role you will work closely with industry-leading partners Alison Dodd, Anthony Ellis and Joseph Varghese, as well as other partners and lawyers across one of Australia’s pre-eminent project & infrastructure teams. You will undertake a range of work across sectors including renewable energy, power, mining, transport and water, working with clients in both established and emerging markets across Australia, Asia Pacific, Africa, Middle East and Europe. This will provide the opportunity to work on all aspects of the project lifecycle, from initial project structuring and procurement strategy development to drafting and negotiating a variety of agreements, including construction contracts, operation and maintenance arrangements, off-take agreements, services contracts, supply contracts, project deeds, joint venture agreements, and overseeing the entire spectrum of procurement, construction, fuel supply, and project finance. You will have the opportunity to work on 'first in market' projects and with clients, in Australia and internationally, who are at the forefront of the energy transition. Herbert Smith Freehills' global Energy team is a key strategic priority in our Ambition strategy. To be successful in this role, you will have: demonstrable experience with construction / infrastructure, and development projects with a focus on contract review, interpretation and negotiation. an excellent academic record, coupled with strong legal skills and a practical mindset. first-class attention to detail and a demonstrated ability to comprehend intricate 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-centred, 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 wellbeing, 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 wellbeing 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.irvinghsf.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.