Herbert Smith Freehills

The Opportunity

Our Projects, Energy & Infrastructure (PEI) team is growing and we are looking for ambitious Senior Associates and Solicitors to join us 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.

Our PEI practice works across the full life cycle of energy and infrastructure projects and comprises 5 partners. In this role, you will be working alongside:

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

Kathryn Pacey, a leading practitioner in environment, planning, climate change, natural resources, government practice, and project development, profiled in Chambers Global, Asia Pacific Legal 500, International Financial Law Review and Best Lawyers (2014-2024);

Michael Hogan, who works on the procurement, delivery and operation of energy and infrastructure projects across a range of sectors;

Anne Beresford, who advises on projects and transactions across the energy sector, including oil and gas, LNG, new energy and carbon management;

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.

The PEI practice is growing rapidly, with Anne and Michael having recently joined our team. We are seeking high-calibre legal professionals with a corporate or front-end projects background, who have experience in projects, energy, construction or infrastructure, who have a growth and expansion mindset and are ready to take their careers to the next level. This is an opportunity to be part of a top-ranked team, work alongside renowned legal experts, and contribute to a high-growth, high-impact practice. We are looking for people with a commitment to excellence who will contribute energetically to the growth of our energy and infrastructure practice.

The team has extensive experience advising on the procurement, acquisition, and divestment of major infrastructure assets, the development and construction of major projects, as well as complex government infrastructure transactions, spanning sectors including transport, energy, oil and gas, water, health, education, telecommunications, forestry and real estate. The team acts for government bodies, finance providers, project sponsors, contractors and investors, based in Australia and internationally.

Your day could typically involve:

• Advising public and private sector clients on complex infrastructure projects, asset transactions, and major procurements.
• Advising on M&A transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors, joint venture arrangements, project development, LNG and gas sales and transportation agreements and new energy projects and various bespoke and innovative project documents.
• Assisting clients in navigating strategic procurement, including designing tender processes and supporting bidding consortia to frame successful bids.
• Supporting project structuring, risk assessments, and business case development.
• Providing legal and commercial advice on project delivery models, including complex construction agreements (often involving collaborative or innovative forms of contracting), equity arrangements, and operations and maintenance arrangements.
• Advising on government asset transactions, restructures, sales and procurements, as well as broader government advisory work, often on sensitive and novel/pathfinder matters.

What you will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in energy and/or infrastructure project delivery, procurement, or asset transactions and investments (whether in the Energy or infrastructure sectors) in a private practice or in-house environment.
• An excellent academic record, coupled with strong legal skills and a practical mindset.
• First-class attention to detail and the ability to comprehend intricate legal matters.
• A proactive approach and a desire to be an integral member of our leading and supportive team.
• The ability to work effectively within tight timeframes, both collaboratively and autonomously.
• A hunger to learn, develop, and contribute to maintaining a market-leading practice.
• A desire to contribute to business development activities and to work collaboratively with partners to grow the practice.

What you can expect from us:

• We are a world leading international law firm with a global team of over 5,000 professionals. 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, your ambition is ours 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 26 weeks paid parental leave, holistic wellbeing fund or home office allowance please click here: https://marketing.hsframer.com/20/29354/landing-pages/hsfkramer-benefits.pdf
• Join us to be part of a human, bold and outstanding team at Australia's market leading law firm.

For more information, or a confidential discussion, please reach out to Ashley Irving, Recruitment Manager at ashley.irving@hsfkramer.com.

Team

Projects, Energy & Infra

Working Pattern

Full 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.