Legal Counsel - Litigation Group jobs at Ey in Australia, Sydney

Head of Legal - Corporate and Commercial - General Counsel Office(GCO) Oceania

The Head of Legal, Corporate & Commercial leads a high-performing legal team, fosters a culture of excellence and integrity, and drives continuous improvement in legal service delivery. The role requires exceptional legal expertise, commercial acumen, and the ability to influence and collaborate across a complex, global environment.

ities

• Leading the GCO Corporate & Commercial legal function, setting strategy and priorities aligned with GCO strategic objectives.
• Providing expert legal advice and support on commercial contracts, technology contracts, government tenders, procurement, transactions, privacy and corporate governance matters
• Brings a stabilising influence to the leadership of a high-performing legal team, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth.
• Driving innovation in legal processes, including the adoption of legal technology and process improvements.
• Ensuring effective knowledge management and legal training within the team and across the business.

Skills and attributes for success

• 15+ years’ post qualification experience in senior legal roles, ideally within professional services or large, complex organisations.
• A current Australian unrestricted practising certificate
• Deep expertise in commercial law, contract negotiation, corporate governance, and stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to negotiate complex commercial and government contracts, balancing legal risk and strategic business outcomes, with the ability to accept responsibility for difficult decisions

Ideally, you’ll also have the skills and attributes below but don’t worry if you don’t tick all the boxes. We’re interested in your aptitude, attitude and willingness to learn.

• Oversight experience of corporate acquisitions, which may include legal due diligence, deal structuring, and execution is desirable.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance frameworks and experience supervising company secretarial functions is preferred.
• Proven ability to manage complexity, anticipate legal challenges, and develop innovative solutions.
• Ability to work fluently beyond their own area of practice
• Strong business and commercial acumen, with the ability to balance legal rigour and commercial outcomes.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to coach and develop high-performing legal teams.
• High-quality and influential verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, agile environment, managing multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to bring structure and clarity to complex legal matters.

What we offer you

At EY, we’ll fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn .

• Career development: At EY, your career is yours to shape! We’ll develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences
• Flexible work arrangements: Our flexible work policies empower you to balance your professional and personal life, fostering a culture of trust and autonomy.
• A comprehensive benefits package: From a yearly wellness incentive, to access to additional 8 weeks of flex leave per year, and family-friendly policies, including 26 weeks of gender-neutral paid parental leave, we cater to your diverse needs to help you thrive both personally and professionally
• Salary: We offer a competitive salary which is open to negotiation pending on skills and experience.

Acknowledgement of Country

Diversity, equity, and inclusiveness (DE&I) are core to who we are, how we work and how we live our values. We encourage applications from people of all ages, nationalities, abilities, cultures, sexual orientations, and gender identities and are committed to providing an equitable and barrier free recruitment experience for all. We encourage you to share any support and adjustments you need to be your best and participate equitably in our recruitment process. We understand sharing your needs with us can be daunting, so if you have questions before or during your application, we welcome you to get in touch at or +61 3 8650 7788 (option 2). Anything you tell us will be kept completely confidential.

Our preferred applicant will be required to undertake employment screening by EY or our external third-party provider.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Australia. A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited. All Rights Reserved. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

Legal Counsel – Litigation Practice Group

Through a diverse range of legal work and exposure to the complex legal issues affecting a top four professional services firm, you will develop a bespoke set of legal skills.

Your key responsibilities

• Managing and advising on a range of disputes and litigated matters.
• Managing contentious investigations and enquiries by Australian regulators.
• Briefing and instructing external solicitors, barristers and internal and external experts.
• Attending mediations and settlement conferences.
• Instructing and assisting in preparation for hearings.
• Liaising with and reporting to a wide variety of stakeholders including EY’s executive, global GCO colleagues and insurers.
• Responding to and advising on orders for document production.
• Support senior litigation lawyers and ensure continuity of their portfolio as and when needed

Skills and attributes for success

• Current Australian practising certificate.
• 5+ years post admission experience.
• Experience as an in-house lawyer, ideally with some top tier law private practice experience.
• The ability to provide strategic commercial advice to stakeholders across the business.
• Highly developed communication and negotiation skills.
• Pragmatic problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively.
• Ability to work autonomously and to escalate when required.

Ideally you’ll also have the skills and attributes below but don't worry if you don't tick all the boxes. We're interested in your aptitude, attitude and willingness to learn.

• Some experience in employment law work.
• A flexible, proactive approach, and an optimistic outlook.
• The drive to be able to manage a wide variety of work with a growth mindset and positive approach.

What we offer you

At EY, we’ll fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn .

• Career development : At EY, your career is yours to shape! We’ll develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences
• Flexible work arrangements : Our flexible work policies empower you to balance your professional and personal life, fostering a culture of trust and autonomy.
• A comprehensive benefits package : From a yearly wellness incentive, to access to additional 8 weeks of flex leave per year, and family-friendly policies, including 26 weeks of gender-neutral paid parental leave, we cater to your diverse needs to help you thrive both personally and professionally
• Salary : We offer a competitive salary which is open to negotiation pending on skills and experience.

Acknowledgement of Country

Our preferred applicant will be required to undertake employment screening by EY or our external third-party provider.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Australia. A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited. All Rights Reserved. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

Your key responsibilities

• Work closely with EY’s professionals and pursuits teams to negotiate and manage a wide variety of high value pursuits and agreements, including large scale transformation projects
• Collaborate with our colleagues locally and globally on issues relating to complex global contracting initiatives and projects
• Form part of the globally integrated GCO function, serving as trusted advisors to the EY community through the delivery of proactive, commercial legal advice

Skills and attributes for success

• An unrestricted practicing certificate for an Australian jurisdiction
• At least 8 years’ post admission experience gained in a top or leading mid-tier firm and/or reputable in-house experience
• Highly developed written and verbal communication and negotiation skills

Ideally, you’ll also have the skills and attributes below but don’t worry if you don’t tick all the boxes. We’re interested in your aptitude, attitude and willingness to learn.

• Demonstrated experience across senior stakeholder management with an ability to influence and develop collaborative working relationships with a range of stakeholder groups in a complex and dynamic environment.

What we offer you

At EY, we’ll fuel you and your extraordinary talents in a diverse and inclusive culture of globally connected teams. Learn .

• Career development: At EY, your career is yours to shape! We’ll develop you with future-focused skills and equip you with world-class experiences
• Flexible work arrangements: Our flexible work policies empower you to balance your professional and personal life, fostering a culture of trust and autonomy.
• A comprehensive benefits package : From a yearly wellness incentive, to access to additional 8 weeks of flex leave per year, and family-friendly policies, including 26 weeks of gender-neutral paid parental leave, we cater to your diverse needs to help you thrive both personally and professionally
• Salary: We offer a competitive salary which is open to negotiation pending on skills and experience.

Our preferred applicant will be required to undertake employment screening by EY or our external third-party provider.

© 2025 Ernst & Young Australia. A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited. All Rights Reserved. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.