About the role
This is a unique opportunity to lead the legal delivery of a major compulsory acquisition program in the renewable energy and critical infrastructure sector. Working within our Property + Projects (Energy & Infrastructure) Team, you will be embedded in a complex, high-stakes project requiring deep statutory expertise, project management discipline, and the ability to drive large portfolios of landholder matters to resolution. The key responsibilities of this role include:
Legal Service Delivery: Working within the Project Team embedded on a major energy infrastructure project, leading and executing the legal delivery of a large-scale compulsory acquisition program from mobilisation through to settlement or, where required, preparation for the Disputed Claims Phase. This includes:
- Statutory Notices and Applications: Preparing and managing overarching and property applications to the Governor in Council under the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic). Preparing and serving all statutory notices and documents required under the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 (Vic), including Notices of Intention to Acquire (NOITA), Notices of Acquisition, Initial Offers of Compensation, Replies to Claim, Notices of Entry, and supporting forms and statements.
- Drafting and Negotiation: Preparing, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, leases, deeds, and other legal documents.
- Compensation and Negotiation: Instructing and liaising with independent experts (land valuers, planners, accountants, agribusiness experts), reviewing expert reports, preparing and negotiating compensation offers, and where agreement cannot be reached, preparing for the Disputed Claims Phase (VCAT or Supreme Court).
- Legal Project Management and PMO Support: Contributing to project management office functions across a large portfolio of landholder matters, including maintaining stage tracking and execution frameworks, preparing and updating legal and project playbooks, coordinating statutory notice programs, and providing regular progress reporting to the client against project milestones.
Team Support: Settling work of less experienced team members and supporting them to develop skills and confidence in their work.
Client Management: Nurturing our current clients and assisting to attract new clients. We are a people first firm and you will be building relationships with current and new clients every day.
Business Development: Supporting the team and our clients by working closely with our Brand + Engagement Team with events, campaigns and executing new ideas to reach new clients in the Renewable Energy space.
About you
The ideal candidate
At Law Squared, we hire for mindset as much as skillset. We’re looking for commercially minded, client-focused people who take ownership, communicate well, and genuinely care about doing great work. Our best people are proactive, adaptable, collaborative, and always looking for smarter ways to create impact. If you value high standards, human-centred relationships, and being part of a business building something different, we’d love to hear from you.
The ideal candidate will be:
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Experienced – 8+ years PQE in compulsory acquisition, land access, and/or major energy or infrastructure projects; experience in Victorian statutory compulsory acquisition processes is highly regarded;
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Knowledgeable – demonstrates deep working knowledge of the compulsory acquisition framework, including the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 (Vic), the Land Acquisition and Compensation Regulations 2021 (Vic), and the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic); is skilled with the statutory process from NOITA through to Deed of Settlement and Release; and stays current with legislative and case law developments in this space.
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A high performing operator – has the ability to autonomously run own matters and takes pride in quality, professionalism, and attention to detail when drafting, settling and sending work ensuring technical excellence is reflected across the board.
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Commercially minded – understands the bigger picture and focus on outcomes that create value for clients and the business.
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Client-centred – personable and genuinely cares about delivering an exceptional experience and building trusted relationships.
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Accountable – takes ownership, follows through on commitments, and shows up as required.
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Adaptable and growth-oriented – open to change, eager to learn, and committed to continuous improvement.
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Tech and AI proficient – be proficient in or enthusiastic about learning, new technology tools (we are a paperless, tech-enabled law firm);
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Collaborative – generous team player who communicates well, support others, and contribute positively to culture.
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Proactive – takes initiative, solve problems early, and looks for smarter ways of working.
We don’t have a partnership model, so it is important that becoming a partner isn’t your main priority. We are looking for someone who is passionate about working in a collaborative firm that values whole team success over individual accolades. If you are a high performing team player, who wants to do great work and have time for some fun as well, this role could be for you!
How you’ll benefit
Law Squared is on a mission is to create a more innovative, collaborative, human centred experience for clients and employees alike.
We don’t track billable hours, no financial budgets for individuals (we have team-based budgets), and we’ve embraced a ‘work from anywhere’ policy since day one. This means that whilst you will be based in one office, we have a flexible work from anywhere policy.
Free from the barriers of time, tenure and ego, and aligned by team-oriented goals, we believe the best outcomes result for our clients, and each other. We are on a mission to build the best environment out there for lawyers to do great work, with great people.
Our numerous employee benefits include:
- Competitive salary package
- Flexible work environment
- Tailored team and individual professional development program – We genuinely care about your development and growth, and will work closely with you to help you reach those personal goals.
- Annual Practicing Certificate paid for by Law Squared
- Corporate gym membership // ClassPass
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Employee Referral Incentive
- Leading-edge legal ops + tech to optimise flexible working and client service outcomes
- Team based KPIs, no timesheets!
If you’re ready for a more human centred way of working, experience the Law Squared difference for yourself.
Apply Now:
To submit an application, please apply directly with your CV and cover letter.
If you have any further questions, please contact: careers@lawsquared.com