Senior Associate, Real Estate

Our Real Estate Practice provides market-leading advice on transactions and disputes with real estate at the core. We assist developers, owners, private and institutional investors, corporates, lenders, and underwriters around the world in understanding industry trends and their impact on business. Our expertise extends to advising borrowers, lenders, and servicers across all types of domestic and international real estate financings. Clients trust us to manage the intricacies of their transactions and disputes, synthesising legal and commercial knowledge to provide counsel that translates into successful outcomes. By leveraging our deep understanding of real estate and legal frameworks, we help clients achieve their goals in a dynamic and evolving market.

Since our arrival in 2016, our Australian practice has grown to 37 partners and 95+ lawyers across Sydney and Melbourne. Our teams work with clients in every state of Australia, across the Asia-Pacific region and around the globe on all aspects of the energy, infrastructure, power (including renewable energy) mining & metals sectors, and on high-profile public market and private equity M&A transactions. 

As a Senior Associate in our Real Estate team, you will work on high-profile matters that involve providing strategic advice on land tenure required to develop power and infrastructure projects, as well as real estate issues arising in the context of corporate restructures, M&A and insolvency transactions. You will also connect with White & Case’s global Real Estate team to assist on transactions in other jurisdictions.

Key responsibilities include:

• As a member of the team, you will be involved in advising on all aspects of property/land tenure required to develop major projects or in the context of M&A and insolvency transactions.

• Managing due diligence requirements, drafting and reviewing legal and technical documentation

• Interpreting legislation, regulations, rules and guidelines

• Corresponding with clients and various third parties including legal advisors, banks, land registries, councils, surveyors and other government bodies

• Collaborating with legal teams within the Firm both within and outside Australia

• Negotiating, drafting and reviewing contracts for sale, leases and other related property documents

• Managing registration and conveyancing requirements on land transactions across multiple jurisdictions

Qualifications and experience required:

• Admission in Australia (or Common Law qualified and willing to qualify in Australia)

• PQE 4-6

• Excellent understanding of real estate regulatory requirements in at least one jurisdiction of Australia

• National experience preferred, but not essential

• Familiarity with registration and settlement on PEXA

• Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail

• Strong academic record and intellectual curiosity, creative thinker

• Outstanding communication skills

• Strong time management skills, ability to stay calm under pressure when juggling multiple projects

• Strong professional presence and client focus

• Team player and enjoys working as a part of a team

This role reports to

Partner

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to creating a fair workplace and encourage applications from all ages, cultural backgrounds, First Nations communities, genders, sexual orientations, as well as people who have family or carer responsibilities. We encourage you to talk to us about any adjustments you may require to our recruitment process or the role itself. If you are a candidate with a disability, let us know how we can provide you with additional support.

The Firm may modify and amend any job description at any time in its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

The above is only a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

Note to Recruitment Agencies

Our internal Recruitment team manages all aspects of lateral hiring. All agencies must have signed terms of business—specific to the relevant office—before submitting any candidates. CVs or applications sent directly to White & Case partners or employees will also not be considered formal introductions. If you have questions, please contact the relevant Recruitment team. We work with our preferred suppliers when engaging agencies.