Legal Practice Assistant

About Dentons

Dentons is the world’s largest law firm. We’re 20,000+ people globally across 80+ countries including USA; Europe; India and Asia. We are a global polycentric firm which is expanding rapidly in an increasingly globalised legal industry.

Dentons now consistently ranks as one of the five best regarded legal brands in the world according to the Acritas Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index.

In Australia, our leading Intellectual Property and Technology team represents clients who shape the future, from emerging innovators to leading international brands.  Our IP&T team advises on a broad range of matters across technology, creativity, and commerce, spanning advisory, transactional, and contentious work.

About the Role

Dentons has an exciting opportunity for a Legal Assistant to join our Intellectual Property and Technology practice in Melbourne, on a permanent basis. You’ll support Partner and Practice Group Leader, Joy Atacador, as well as the broader IP&T team and be involved in helping to manage IP cases for a diverse mix of Australian and international clients.

Our IP experts advise on the full spectrum of intellectual property, including trade marks (including international trade mark portfolio protection, management and enforcement), copyright, designs, confidential information, patents, IP disputes and litigation, IP commercialisation and licensing, domain name disputes, and consumer protection. You’ll be joining a highly collaborative and supportive team committed to your development, with access to premium legal work, sophisticated systems, continuing professional development and structured career pathways.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to Joy and the IP&T team, including file openings, conflict checks, phone management, printing, filing and document preparation
• Draft, format and amend correspondence, presentations, reports, and legal documentation
• Manage diaries, schedule meetings and coordinate travel arrangements
• Diarise deadlines and track follow‑up actions in the case management system
• Coordinate high‑volume invoicing, billing and disbursement processes
• Liaise with the Finance team on debtor, trust and audit queries
• Partner with the team and Corporate Services (including Business Development/Marketing, Finance, General Counsel, HR and IT) to identify process improvements and contribute to efficiency initiatives.

About You

You bring the following qualities, experience and capabilities:

• Experience in legal administrative support or professional services administration or a strong interest in undertaking or enhancing your career in legal support
• An energetic, proactive, team‑oriented approach and commitment to excellent service
• Strong attention to detail and organisation, with the ability to manage competing deadlines
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast‑paced environment
• Knowledge of Elite (or other finance systems) for billing, expenses, timesheets and reporting
• Confident using Outlook and Microsoft Office Suite
• Comfortable with legal case management software and leveraging technology to produce high‑quality documentation
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• A positive, adaptable, and solutions‑focused mindset.

Join Dentons Melbourne and become a key part of our IP&T team, you’ll be supporting work that shapes how brands innovate, protect and grow, all within a team that values collaboration, mentorship and purpose‑driven practice.

Why Dentons

Dentons Australia offers a wide range of incentives aimed at embracing your authenticity, providing purpose, and strengthening your ongoing development.

We offer:

• Equitable salary packaging, incentive pay and rewards
• Salary continuous insurance (for permanent employees or employees on a 6 month or more maximum term contract basis)
• Salary sacrificing and novated leases
• 5 days Bonus Leave per year after 12 months of service
• Additional leave options
• Equal family leave for all genders (including kinship groups)
• Floating public holidays for days of cultural significance
• Exclusive retailer discounts
• Offices designed for collaboration on Gadigal, Naarm, Yuggera, Kaurna and Whadjuk land
• Learning & Development opportunities
• Generous health and wellbeing programs
• Agile and flexible working for all
• Social and diversity networks providing year-round events
• Opportunities to undertake pro-bono legal work

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

Embedded in our people is a passion to help others through the delivery of justice. It is through this that our commitment to inclusion, equity, and reconciliation has evolved. We are proud to say that by design, we have no single headquarters or dominant national culture, this means the unique perspectives, experiences, and identities of our people come together globally under one purpose to create an inclusive and accessible environment where anyone can thrive.

Please apply online with your CV, Cover Letter, and academic transcripts. If you have questions beforehand, please email our recruitment team at recruitment.au@dentons.com. Enquiries only please, applications will not be accepted by email.

Agency Submissions

Dentons does not accept agency submissions unless the agency is specifically contacted by a member of the Recruitment Team. Please do not forward candidate profiles or resumes to partners, hiring managers or other employees - this will not constitute an introduction to the firm and Dentons will not be liable for a fee.