" \u003cdiv class=\"ja-job-details\"\u003e \u003ch2 class=\"title\"\u003eAssociate | Planning \u0026amp; Environment | Melbourne\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"meta\"\u003e \u003cul class=\"classifications\"\u003e \u003cli data-id=\"17687\"\u003e Experienced Lawyers \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli data-id=\"17689\"\u003e Melbourne \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli data-id=\"17690\"\u003e Permanent / Full Time \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003cp class=\"date-posted\"\u003e 13/11/2026 \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cul class=\"bullet-points\"\u003e \u003cli\u003eRecognised in the AFR BOSS Magazine\u0026#39;s Best Places to Work 2024 and 2025\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eJoin a modern, market-leading law firm that puts its people first\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eCollaborative team with opportunities for career development and progression\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"description\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAbout you \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e To be considered for this role, you will ideally have approximately 2 to 4 years\u0026rsquo; post-admission experience, with a strong interest in planning, development and environmental law.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eYou will ideally have experience in some or all of the following areas:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eplanning and development approvals;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eplanning disputes, appeals and enforcement proceedings;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eplanning scheme amendments, rezonings and precinct planning;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003edevelopment contributions and infrastructure funding arrangements;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eenvironmental, contamination, heritage issues and land valuation issues and disputes;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ecompulsory acquisition and land compensation;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eplanning, environmental and property due diligence;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003edrafting and negotiating planning and infrastructure agreements; and\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eadvising property owners and developers on complex statutory and strategic planning issues.\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e Experience gained in a leading commercial law firm, specialist planning practice, government authority or relevant public sector agency will be well regarded.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYou will also have:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003ea sound understanding of the property development and infrastructure sectors;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003estrong legal research, drafting and analytical skills;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eexcellent written and verbal communication skills;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ea practical, commercial and solutions-focused approach;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ethe confidence to work directly with clients, consultants, counsel and government authorities;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ean interest in developing client relationships and contributing to business development activities; and\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ea collaborative approach and a desire to work as part of a friendly, supportive and high-performing team.\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eYour role\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs part of Gadens\u0026rsquo; Planning \u0026amp; Environment team, you will work on a diverse range of advisory, transactional and contentious matters.\u003cbr\u003e Your work may include:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003eadvising on planning and development approval pathways for major property and infrastructure projects;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eacting in planning appeals, judicial review proceedings and other planning and environmental disputes, including briefing counsel and technical experts;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003epreparing submissions in respect of planning scheme amendments, rezonings and development contribution arrangements, including briefing counsel and experts for planning and SAC hearings;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eadvising on environmental approvals, contamination, heritage and related regulatory requirements;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003edrafting and negotiating planning, infrastructure and development agreements;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eadvising on compulsory land acquisition and compensation claims, acting for landowners (claimants); and\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003econducting planning and environmental due diligence for property acquisitions, developments and major portfolio transactions \u0026ndash; working with Gadens property and corporate teams.\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e You will have considerable client contact and the opportunity to take responsibility for matters with the support of experienced senior lawyers and partners. \u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e You will also have opportunities to work collaboratively with colleagues across Gadens\u0026rsquo; Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane offices on national projects and cross-jurisdictional matters.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e About Gadens\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGadens is a leading, independent Australian law firm, with a clear vision and strategy for the future. We help people achieve their purpose in a complex world, by leading by example, inspiring others, innovating and building something we are all proud of.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e At Gadens, we engage with all of our people to create a work environment that encourages and promotes inclusion and diversity, while instilling pride in the firm and our values of collaborate, authentic, responsible and excellent. Our values and culture assist us in creating a cohesive environment in which we are committed equally to professionalism and personal fulfilment. We strive to create a culture where the principles of sustainability and corporate social responsibility are embraced and lived by our people every day. This includes respecting and connecting with First Nations people and providing access to justice to those in need through our pro bono practice. This is what makes Gadens a great place to work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e At Gadens, we:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003edevelop and inspire our people\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003edo the right thing and make an impact\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003ework with quality clients in our chosen markets\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003esolve problems with people and technology working seamlessly together\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eare a widely recognised and respected brand.\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWhat we offer\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlexibility\u003c/strong\u003e \u0026ndash; Hybrid working arrangements. This includes flexible working hours as well as equipment to support working from home.\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinancial \u0026ndash; \u003c/strong\u003eMarket-competitive fixed remuneration, a generous incentive program recognising both billable performance and broader contribution and an employee recruitment referral program.\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e30 weeks paid parental leave\u003c/strong\u003e \u0026ndash; Our market leading policy includes 30 weeks paid parental leave for all permanent staff, with no tenure required. This includes superannuation contributions while on parental leave, an external coach to support through various stages of parental leave and support and paid leave for surrogacy and IVF treatment.\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeave\u003c/strong\u003e - Ability to purchase up to 3 weeks of annual leave a year as well as a gifted day of leave for your birthday month which we call \u0026ldquo;Gadens day\u0026rdquo;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHealth \u0026amp; Wellbeing\u003c/strong\u003e \u0026ndash; We offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits to empower and support our people including, regular social events, employee assistant program, bonus program for non-fee earners, discounted private health insurance, annual flu vaccinations, skin checks, recognition awards and much more!\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearning \u0026amp; Development\u003c/strong\u003e \u0026ndash;We promote a culture of continuous learning opportunities including access to professional development for all employees, coaching, mentoring study support as well for further education.\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommunity involvement\u003c/strong\u003e \u0026ndash; We give back to the community through our well-established pro bono program as well as staff volunteering initiatives.\u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e We are always on the lookout for star performers to join our growing firm. To find out more please visit www.gadens.com \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"apply\"\u003e \u003ca class=\"back-link\" href=\"#\" title=\"Back to search results\"\u003eBack to search results\u003c/a\u003e \u003cinput type=\"button\" class=\"ja-button\" data-job-id=\"2010195\" value=\"Apply Now\" title=\"Apply Now\" /\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e "