Junior Property & Commercial Lawyer (3–5 Years PQE)

Melbourne | Full-Time | Hope Earle Lawyers

Hope Earle Lawyers is a well-established firm with over 30 years of history, proudly operating from Melbourne and the Gold Coast, with a new Sydney office opening soon. Our team is known for handling complex and high-value matters across Australia, with a strong reputation for professionalism, collaboration, and client care.

We are seeking a Junior Property & Commercial Lawyer (3–5 years PQE) to join our growing Property and Commercial team in our Melbourne office.

The Role

As a lawyer in our Property and Commercial team, you will work closely with our Commercial Consultant and the Managing Principal on a variety of property and commercial matters, including:

Property:

Residential and commercial conveyancing

Retail and commercial leasing

Subdivisions, easements, caveats and planning issues

Property-related disputes

Preparing and reviewing contracts, leases, deeds, and disclosure documents

Conducting due diligence and providing clear, commercial advice to clients

Managing settlements through PEXA and other electronic platforms

Commercial:

Drafting and reviewing shareholder, partnership, supply and service agreements

Advising on business sales and purchases (due diligence, contract review and negotiation)

Assisting with business structuring, entity setup and compliance

Supporting broader commercial advisory work for our SME clients

This is a client-facing, file-carrying role, and you will be expected to manage your own matters with support and mentorship from senior lawyers.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

3–5 years post-admission experience in property law (experience in commercial law will be highly regarded)

An existing small practice or client base is desirable but not essential

Strong drafting and negotiation skills

Excellent attention to detail and organisation

A proactive, commercial approach to problem-solving

Confidence managing your own files and client relationships

A collaborative mindset and desire to contribute to firm-wide initiatives

We are looking for someone who is eager to grow their practice and build a long-term future with the firm. This role offers significant scope for career progression, business development opportunities, and increasing autonomy as you grow.

What We Offer

A supportive, collegiate team with access to senior mentors

A genuine focus on professional growth and career development

Exposure to complex matters and quality clients

A competitive salary commensurate with experience

Apply with a CV and cover letter to David De Alwis, Managing Principal at [email protected]