About Us:

Hitch Advisory is a boutique commercial law firm with offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Adeliade. We deliver high-quality, strategic legal services to a diverse client base across a range of industries, including retail, pharmacy, childcare, hospitality, franchising, and property development.

We pride ourselves on a practical and commercially-focused approach, a high-performing yet down-to-earth culture, and our commitment to leveraging technology to drive efficiency and results.

Role Overview:

We are seeking a Senior Property & Commercial Lawyer with minimum 5 years' post-admission experience to join our Melbourne team. This senior role is ideal for someone with a strong foundation in complex property transactions, combined with experience in commercial advisory, contracts, and business structuring.

The Melbourne office is in an exciting growth phase, with the team currently being developed and supported by our head office in Sydney. This role is a key part of our strategy to increase capacity in Melbourne, enabling the team to actively pursue new opportunities and expand our client base. As we build our presence in the local market, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the team, contributing to business development initiatives, and helping to establish Hitch Advisory as a leading commercial law firm in Victoria. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and is eager to be part of a growing practice.

You’ll work directly with founders, operators, and in-house legal teams, advising on everything from property developments and leasing through to business sales, governance, and commercial contracts. This is a leadership-facing role with significant autonomy, client ownership, and a clear pathway for growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Property

· Lead and manage complex commercial and residential property transactions, including site acquisitions, due diligence, contract negotiation, and settlement.

· Draft and negotiate retail, commercial, and industrial leases.

· Advise on development projects, planning and zoning, subdivisions, and titling.

· Provide strategic advice to developers, retailers, and operators in various industries.

Commercial

· Advise on business sales and acquisitions (both assets and shares).

· Draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts, shareholder agreements, supply agreements, and service contracts.

· Advise on business structuring, corporate governance, and directors’ duties.

· Assist clients with commercial risk management and compliance matters.

· Participate in strategic client discussions and advisory mandates.

Leadership & Growth

· Mentor and supervise junior lawyers and contribute to team development.

· Manage client relationships and act as the key point of contact on matters.

· Support business development initiatives and represent the firm in the market.

Skills & Qualifications:

· Minimum 5 years’ post-admission experience in both property and commercial law.

· Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end transactions in:

o Property development, sales, and leasing.

o Business sales and acquisitions.

o Commercial contract drafting and negotiation.

· Strong legal drafting and analytical skills.

· A commercial mindset and the ability to provide practical, solution-oriented advice.

· Experience working autonomously and directly with clients.

· Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

· A Victorian practising certificate (or ability to obtain one).

Desirable (but not essential)

· Experience in industries such as pharmacy, childcare, retail, hospitality, or franchising.

· Exposure to employee share schemes or capital structuring.

· Portable client base or established referrer relationships.

Tools & Software at Hitch Advisory:

· Microsoft Office Suite

· Trello

· Actionstep (DMS)

· DocuSign

· Zoom

· Xero

· Lexis Nexis

· Adobe

· Harvey AI

What We Offer:

· Direct client exposure and autonomy over transactions.

· A supportive and collaborative team culture.

· Real career progression opportunities in a growing firm.

· Competitive salary and bonus structure.

· Flexibility and work-life balance considered after probation.

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV and a cover letter to Claire Laurent at [email protected] with the subject line “Senior Property & Commercial Lawyer”.