About Allens

Allens is a leading international law firm with a proud 200-year heritage of shaping the future for our clients, our people and the communities in which we work. From playing a pioneering role in the development of legislation and regulatory frameworks in the Asian region, to acting on numerous 'firsts' across a range of industry and community issues, it is in our DNA to make a difference and help shape what our world looks like. Our alliance with Linklaters connects our clients and teams with an international network of legal leaders that spans 41 offices in 26 countries.

We value personal growth and career progression equally. Through our in-depth career coaching, focus on innovation, and international secondment program, we aim to create future leaders in the legal industry.

Your role

This is your opportunity to join our growing Environment and Planning team. Our E&P team sits within our Real Estate and Development Group and is an integral part of Allens' leading Projects, Real Estate & Development practice. Our lawyers work collaboratively with our Real Estate and Projects Practice Groups in Melbourne as well as across jurisdictions, giving our lawyers an opportunity to work on major projects throughout Australia and overseas.

As a member of our Environment & Planning Team, you will work in a collaborative environment advising clients on complex legal and strategic issues across the project life cycle, from early development advice, approvals strategies, compliance and enforcement work, transactions and litigation.

At Allens, our structure means you'll get exposure to a number of different Partners within your practice group and a wide variety of work. We encourage our lawyers to find their niche and specialise in areas they're interested in, while building a strong foundation across their field.

As an Associate in our Environment and Planning team you will:

• Provide strategic planning approval advice for projects across a range of market sectors including energy, renewables, residential, retail, commercial, industrial and logistics, aged care/health care, mining, transport and water.
• Instruct in planning and environment appeals and originating applications, land acquisition/compensation proceedings, mining objection hearings, and environmental and development offence prosecutions.
• Draft and negotiate agreements relating to tenure, infrastructure delivery, planning and development issues including amenity impacts, management of contaminated land risk and environmental offsetting.
• Advise on a variety of environmental issues at both Commonwealth and State levels across jurisdictions, including EPBC Act approval and compliance matters, bilateral assessment processes and contaminated land.
• Advise on planning, environmental and associated regulatory approvals.
• Advise on biodiversity conservation, water, heritage and environmental protection legislation.

This is a permanent, full-time opportunity. However flexibility matters at Allens, so if you are seeking hybrid working or are looking for flexibility in your work, we would be happy to discuss what arrangements would work best for you.

About you
You will have:

• Experience working in an Environment & Planning team, ideally at a well-regarded top tier firm, or boutique firm.
• Experience in VCAT proceedings or Supreme Court litigation relevant to environment and planning or administrative law matters, including drafting Court documents and Court practice and procedure.
• Some experience in planning applications/appeals to the Court of Appeal.
• Some experience in planning panel processes / planning scheme amendments.
• A willingness to build an understanding of clients and develop effective working relationships.
• An ability to effectively manage matters.
• A willingness to participate in business development activities, such as pitch documents, firm-wide pursuits, article writing, attending industry events and hosting seminars.
• A desire and ability to grow, both as an Environment & Planning Lawyer and leader.
• A strong team ethic.
• An ability to establish a professional profile and internal networks.
• A willingness to build an understanding of clients and develop effective working relationships.
• A desire to learn, grow, network, mentor others.

Your development

In joining Allens, you will receive unparalleled learning and development opportunities. You will be challenged, supported and guided as you learn and develop, and will be encouraged grow. We foster greatness and will coach and support you to meet your goals and aspirations.

Our unique Career Deal allows you to take control of your career and provides a transparent approach to career development. Our international alliance with Linklaters means we are able to support secondments all over the world.

Our perks

Our benefits include:

• Financial: market competitive fixed remuneration; generous incentive plan that recognises both billable and broader contribution, salary continuance insurance, employee recruitment referral program, discounts at hundreds of suppliers including retail outlets, health and travel insurance, charity matched funding program.
• Health and wellbeing: fully subsidised gym memberships, annual flu vaccinations, skin checks, in-house snacks and catered meals, subsidised sporting and social activities, emergency childcare, Employee Assistance Program including confidential counselling, wellbeing coaching and financial coaching for employees and their families and regular wellbeing sessions with our in-house consulting Psychologist.
• Flexibility: hybrid and flexible working arrangements to support you in your work and life commitments and passions, equipment to support working from home.
• Leave: ability to purchase additional annual leave, access to an enhanced, inclusive and flexible parental leave policy – 26 weeks paid parental leave with no minimum service for permanent employees and high quality executive coaching to support the transition.
• International opportunities: our alliance with Linklaters ensures possible secondments to many of their overseas offices.
• Recognition: team based recognition including social activities and contribution based recognition activities, and annual Allens Values Awards to nominate and recognise the incredible contributions of our people.

Allens is also proud to invest in our communities, giving you the opportunity to make a difference through our work on reconciliation, the environment and other social justice issues as well as our workplace giving and volunteering programs.

How to apply

We'd love to hear from you so please click "apply now"! If you would like to find out more, please visit "This is Allens" or listen to our Allens Confidential podcast to hear real stories from real people about life at Allens. Alternatively, for a confidential discussion, please contact Zahra Nowrouz Tafreshi, Talent Acquisition Senior [email protected]

At Allens, our culture is made up of unique backgrounds and varying life experiences. We celebrate our people's differences across gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, cultural backgrounds, First Nations communities, and family and caring arrangements. If you require adjustments to fully participate in our application process, please contact us at [email protected]. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align, please express your interest by emailing us at [email protected]. The right role for you might be just around the corner!