Special Counsels

Location: Brisbane

Contract Type: Permanent

MinterEllison is one of Australia’s largest independent law and consulting firms. With a heritage of almost 200 years, we are known for our excellence, and our authentic and enduring relationships with our clients, our people and our communities. Clients seek out MinterEllison to help them solve complex problems every day. We do this by our full-service legal offering and complementary consulting offering.

We offer opportunities to work on industry-leading mandates for top-tier clients, while being part of a high-performing and collaborative team that values excellence, diversity of thought, curiosity, and inclusion. We value our people and empower them to achieve their ambitions - with the support, trust and autonomy to grow their careers in meaningful ways.

At MinterEllison, we're leading the way with AI and other emerging technologies, powering innovation right across our firm. You will have the opportunity to engage with AI tools we've built, and other external AI tools, to enhance efficiencies and excellence internally and with our clients.

We support sustainable ways of working regarding how, when and where you work and offer a wide range of social, financial and health benefits (see https://www.minterellison.com/-/media/Minter-Ellison/Files/Careers/MinterEllison-Employee-Benefits-Dec_2025.pdf)

Our Team

MinterEllison's Projects, Infrastructure and Construction team is the market leader. We were recently voted Best Lawyer's "Law Firm of the Year" for Construction and Infrastructure. We are rated as Band 1 by Chambers Asia Pacific.

MinterEllison is one of very few firms in the Australian market with a comprehensive cradle to grave practice capable of handling the complete range of work across the full lifecycle of a project from business case development to project documentation, contract administration and dispute resolution. 

We operate on a truly national basis with Australia's leading partners in front and back end, recognised in the construction industry for their commerciality and depth of knowledge and expertise. 

Working with us offers the opportunity to learn from the best practitioners across Australia regardless of where you live in a team renowned for its cohesion and technical strength.

Our client base is diverse, and they come to us for innovative solutions delivered by the most prominent lawyers in the construction industry. The team is consistently engaged for the most demanding matters in the market.

Your Role

The MinterEllison construction practice continues to grow rapidly. In the context of a significant pipeline of major projects, we have are inviting applications from  senior back end lawyers at either Senior Associate (PQE 5+) or Special Counsel level to join our busy and dynamic practice. The role is based in Brisbane working with leading local partners (Andrew Orford and Sarah Ferrett) as well as interstate partners and a supportive team both locally and nationally. 

What you need

We welcome applications from lawyers with a minimum 5 years PQE looking to take the next step in your career in the market's leading practice. You will have experience in back end construction on large scale and complex projects. In addition to your technical and legal knowledge, you will have an ability to manage client relationships and provide guidance, leadership and mentoring to junior lawyers.

You will also have: 

• a commercial approach
• superior drafting ability and a strong attention to detail
• the ability to work in a highly collaborative fast-paced environment
• excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• a commitment to excellence that matches our own.

How to apply

We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds, genders (including trans or gender diverse), LGBTQ+ people and those with carer responsibilities. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

We prefer to connect with people directly, so please submit your CV by clicking on the 'Apply' button. We encourage all applications, including if you do not meet all the criteria listed for the role. Your application will also enable us to consider you for other opportunities that may be available at MinterEllison.

If you are currently a MinterEllison employee, please apply through the internal careers page.

If you would like further information, require any adjustments throughout the recruitment process or for a confidential discussion, please contact lisa.fleming@minterellison.com.