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Senior Legal Counsel – Regulatory & Disputes
I'm interestedSUMMARY
A rare opportunity for an experienced Senior Legal Counsel with a strong background in litigation and disputes to join the in-house legal team of a leading Australian organisation in the energy sector. Based in Melbourne, this in-house legal role will see you advising on litigation, disputes, regulatory investigations and contentious matters impacting a highly regulated national business.A permanent opportunity working closely with senior stakeholders in the business as part of a well-regarded and collaborative in-house legal team.
THE COMPANY
This organisation is a well-established Australian energy retailer supplying electricity and energy services to households and businesses nationwide.
Operating within the National Electricity Market, the company works in a complex and highly regulated environment where legal risk, compliance and regulatory engagement are central to business operations.The in-house legal team supports the business across a broad range of commercial, regulatory and dispute matters, partnering closely with operational and executive stakeholders to deliver practical legal advice in a dynamic and strategically important sector.
THE ROLE
This Senior Legal Counsel position sits within a specialist in-house litigation and regulatory disputes team and focuses on managing complex contentious matters affecting the organisation. You will advise senior stakeholders across the business on litigation strategy, regulatory investigations and dispute resolution in a highly regulated industry environment. Working closely with other senior team members, you will provide commercially focused legal advice on matters that may have significant financial, operational or reputational impact.
Key responsibilities include:
• Managing the full lifecycle of litigation and dispute matters, including investigation, strategy development and resolution
• Advising on regulatory investigations, enforcement actions and compliance risk in a regulated sector
• Providing strategic legal advice to senior leadership on contentious issues impacting the organisation
• Representing the organisation in negotiations, mediations and dispute resolution processes
• Monitoring regulatory developments and advising the business on legal risk and implications
• Preparing clear updates and reports for senior stakeholders regarding litigation strategy, progress and outcomes
This is a Melbourne-based role with hybrid working flexibility. It is a permanent position and our client is also open to considering interim options if needed.
ABOUT YOU
You are an experienced litigation or disputes lawyer with strong expertise managing complex contentious matters and providing commercially focused advice within a regulated environment. You are comfortable working directly with senior stakeholders and navigating high-stakes issues affecting a large organisation. Your background is likely to include experience gained within a reputable private practice litigation team, an in-house legal function, or a combination of both.
You will bring:
• Australian qualification with approximately 10+ years’ post qualification experience
• Significant experience in litigation, dispute resolution and regulatory investigations
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, high-value disputes from strategy through to resolution
• Exposure to regulated industries and regulatory enforcement frameworks highly regarded
• Experience advising senior leaders on matters with financial, operational or reputational risk
• Strong drafting, negotiation and advocacy skills with a practical, commercially focused approach
• The ability to work collaboratively within a close-knit in-house legal team and engage effectively with internal stakeholders
ON OFFER
• Senior Legal Counsel remuneration of approximately $230K – $270K pa package, depending on experience
• Opportunity to join a leading Australian energy sector organisation operating in a highly regulatory environment
• Hybrid working flexibility
• Direct collaboration within a focused disputes in-house legal team
• Assist with high-impact litigation and regulatory matters affecting a large national business
• Open to permanent, temp-to-perm or interim contract initially
WHY APPLY?
This opportunity will appeal to lawyers who want:
• A senior in-house litigation and disputes role within a major Australian organisation
• Assist with regulatory investigations and high-value disputes
• Direct engagement with senior leadership on strategically significant matters
• A role combining litigation strategy, regulatory risk and dispute resolution
• Flexibility on engagement, open to interim or permanent
• A collaborative in-house legal team environment within a regulated national organisation
NEXT STEPS
This role is moving quickly. If this opportunity is of interest, please apply via SEEK.
For a confidential discussion, contact Charlie Smirl at Dovetail Legal Recruitment.
