Special Counsel — Construction & Projects

At Rigby Cooke Lawyers, our people drive our success. Guided by our values of passion, accountability, respect, and teamwork, we cultivate a collaborative environment where you can advance your career, achieve excellence, and learn from experienced mentors.

With an existing client base and busy pipeline of quality work, we have an exceptional opportunity for a Special Counsel in construction to join our firm. This role offers an outstanding platform for growth and career progression.

If you are self-motivated, client-savvy and ready for the next step in your legal career – we would love to hear from you.

Expertise and experience

  • Minimum 7 years’ PAE in construction law.
  • Recognised expertise in contract negotiations, project delivery strategies, SOPA issues, and dispute resolution.
  • Experienced in advising a diverse client base across both private and public sectors.
  • Demonstrates consistent technical excellence and the ability to identify key legal and commercial issues.
  • Contributes to the firm’s knowledge base through precedents, publications and knowledge sharing.
  • Provides clients with strategic, pragmatic, and commercially sound advice and understands the political, regulatory, and socio-economic environments affecting clients’ operations.
  • Confidently leads and manages complex negotiations to successful outcomes.
  • Consistently exceeds client expectations through timely, reliable, and solution-focused service.
  • Shares client and market insights and cross-refers introductions across practice groups.

Business development and financial management

  • Maintains a well-established network of clients, referrers, and industry contacts.
  • Demonstrates strong financial acumen and business development capability, achieving personal and team billing and revenue goals through effective client relationship management.
  • Proven ability to generate new business opportunities and identify emerging revenue streams.
  • Builds professional reputation and showcases expertise through publications, industry awards, professional associations and industry groups, and speaking engagements.
  • Ensures accurate scoping, cost estimation, and billing, maintaining high recovery rates and minimal write-offs.

Contact

To learn more about this exceptional opportunity, please contact Katrina Cheesewright, Head of People & Culture, at KCheesewright@rigbycooke.com.au.

Our current vacancies

To view our other vacancies, please view our Careers page.

What we offer:

Not just a workplace — a place to thrive

Big firm expertise, boutique firm culture

Work on complex, high-quality matters, while enjoying the agility, collaboration, and close-knit community with competitive salaries that sets us apart.

Support that sets you up for success

From the get-go, you are set up for success commencing with a tailored onboarding program and ongoing assistance from Legal Assistants, HR, IT and Business Development.

Your career, elevated — without the compromise

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all development. Our Learning & Development programs are shaped by staff feedback, ensuring your career evolves in ways that matter to you.

Your wellbeing matters

Our HR team provides genuine care, practical tools and proven strategies – plus access to our comprehensive Employee Assistance Program.

Work where life happens

Our prime CBD location means easy access to all public transport, and only a short walk from the courts and tribunals.

Our benefits

At Rigby Cooke Lawyers, we value respect, accountability and being a team player. In addition to providing a friendly and supportive culture, Rigby Cooke Lawyers offers a range of benefits to staff well in excess of standard employee benefits programs, including the opportunity to work flexibly and above market salaries.

Our employee benefits include:

  • Above market salaries
  • Generous bonus schemes
  • Hybrid working
  • Excellent CBD location, with good transport links
  • Salary continuance insurance
  • Enhanced paid parental leave
  • Employee assistance program
  • Community giving program
  • Collaborative working environment
  • Receive first class job support and mentoring
  • Access a range of learning and development opportunities
  • Social activities
  • Health and wellbeing initiatives

About Rigby Cooke Lawyers

Rigby Cooke Lawyers is a full-service, commercial law firm providing legal expertise and industry knowledge to private and public sector across Australia.

With origins tracing back to the 1840s, we have a long-standing reputation for achieving successful outcomes for our clients. We do this by understanding our clients’ businesses and industries, and by staying at the forefront of changes in technology and legislation.

This is because, above all else, we remain true to our mission: Our people: Your success

Our clients range from some of the largest and best-known Australian and overseas companies to mid-market, privately owned or publicly listed companies, as well as not-for-profit government entities and private clients with a mix of commercial and family assets and investments.

We work with our clients by providing full-service ongoing support for all their commercial and private needs or by offering specialty expertise when required.