Senior Associate, Projects, Energy and Infrastructure

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is a world-leading global law firm, where our ambition is to help you achieve your goals.

 

Exceptional client service and the pursuit of excellence are at our core. We invest in and care about our client relationships, which is why so many are longstanding. We enjoy breaking new ground, as we have for over 170 years.

 

As a fully integrated transatlantic and transpacific firm, we are where you need us to be. Our footprint is extensive and committed across the world’s largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs.

 

At our best tackling complexity and navigating change, we work alongside you on demanding litigation, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private market transactions. We are recognised as leading in these areas.

 

We are immersed in the sectors and challenges that impact you. We are recognised as standing apart in energy, infrastructure and resources. And we’re focused on areas of growth that affect every business across the world.

 

All of this is achieved by supporting the growth of our people, who help us deliver on our ambition – which is to help you achieve yours.

 

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your goals. Our ambition

The Opportunity

Our Projects, Energy & Infrastructure (PEI) team is expanding in Brisbane.

Recognised as a market leader across Australia, our PEI practice specialises in projects, corporate energy, infrastructure, and environment and planning, working on some of the most exciting and complex matters in the industry, across multiple sectors.

We are growing the Projects stream of our practice and we are looking for an ambitious Senior Associate with a background in front-end projects, infrastructure and/or construction.

Our PEI practice works across the full life cycle of energy and infrastructure projects and, in this role, you will work closely with 3 Partners:

• Peter Butler (the 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” in the Queensland market by Best Lawyers), a senior infrastructure expert with 30 years’ experience gained from working in the Australian market and internationally.

• Michael Hogan, who works on the procurement, delivery and operation of energy and infrastructure projects across a range of sectors and profiled in Asia Pacific Legal 500.

• Erin Wyeth, a senior infrastructure specialist advising on major infrastructure projects across Australia for infrastructure investors, owners and financiers and profiled in Asia Pacific Legal 500 and Best Lawyers.

What you’ll do

Work in a top-ranked team and leading experts on high-impact energy and infrastructure projects. You’ll advise on procurement, acquisition, and divestment of major assets, project development and construction, and complex government transactions across sectors including transport, energy, water, health, education, telecommunications, forestry, and real estate.

Our clients include government bodies, corporations, financiers, sponsors, contractors, and investors in Australia and internationally. You’ll be involved in some of the market’s most significant deals – Olympic infrastructure, critical electricity transmission, major infrastructure projects under varied delivery models, and high-value procurements.

What you’ll bring

• 5 - 10 years’ experience as a lawyer, gained in a projects, infrastructure and/or construction team in a private practice or in-house environment.

• Strong academic results and a commitment to continuous learning.

• Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail.

• A proactive, client-focused approach and ability to work effectively in a team environment.

• An innovative mindset, with a curiosity about AI and emerging technologies.

What you can expect from us

• We’re a world leading international law firm with a global team of over 6,000 professionals across 26 offices. 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 holistic wellbeing fund or home office allowance please click here.

• Join us to be part of a human, bold and outstanding team at Australia’s market leading law firm.

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.

Apply now with your resume and academic transcript, or contact Tamara Salem, Recruitment Manager (tamara.salem@hsf.com) for a confidential discussion.

Team

Projects, Energy & InfraFull time

Location

Brisbane

Contract type

Permanent Contract

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to attracting people from all backgrounds and creating a respectful and inclusive culture where everyone thrives. We see this as essential to our success, including our ability to innovate and achieve sustained high performance. This is a key part of our Values—Human, Bold, and Outstanding.