Associate, Senior Associate or Special Counsel - Defence & National Security (Government)

Hall & Wilcox

  • Canberra, ACT
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 15 days ago
  • Rare and exciting opportunity to join a top Australian law firm and work on secondment with the Department of Defence
  • Suits experienced corporate and commercial lawyers at Associate to Special Counsel level (minimum of 4 years PAE/PQE)
  • Please note that candidates must be based in Canberra or be willing to relocate on an as-needs basis (including a period onsite)
This is a unique opportunity to be a part of an emergent practice area at the intersection of Defence, law, and the international security environment.We are looking for lawyers with excellent legal skills who can overlay strategic thinking about the Defence, security and international environments; have the mindset for and a commitment to meaningful, professional work and the progression of the national interest; and who appreciate the benefits of private practice.Liaison, engagement and representative acumen will be important; you will collaborate with agencies and key staff in the Defence and national security community to support Australia’s sovereign and strategic industrial capabilities, including within projects, acquisition and sustainment, and international regulatory regimes.You will be part of a practice area enabled to leverage the capability of a national, independent, full-service law firm, with excellent support and resourcing.Work alongside the most capable lawyers and partners in the country, within a firm that has demonstrated track record at being amongst the best at what they do, and who consider their people to be their strongest asset.When it comes to culture, flexibility, innovation and Smarter Law, we don’t just talk the talk - we walk the walk. Learn more about what Hall & Wilcox can offer you:About the opportunity and teamThere has never been a better time to join Hall & Wilcox as we continue to expand our firm’s presence on the Whole of Australian Government Legal Services Panel.We now have an opportunity for experienced corporate and commercial lawyers to join Hall & Wilcox on an immediate secondment with the Department of Defence. In this role, you will work on a range of commercial law matters including government procurement or materiel acquisition and sustainment matters, supporting AUKUS Pillar I and II and broader Defence capability programs.We are particularly keen to hear from you if you have experience working with or for the Department of Defence, within the Commonwealth Government, or in or alongside the national security community, including within industry.You will sit within our national Corporate and Commercial section, which is comprised of around 75 team members nationally. We provide the full range of legal services to our public sector clients, bringing both deep expertise and a fresh perspective to their matters, and leveraging our leading and established practices across insurance and commercial law. We partner with clients at all levels of government, with key clients including the Commonwealth Government, local councils, the Victorian and New South Wales State Governments and other large corporate entities.About youYou will ideally have the following skills and experience:
  • a minimum of 4 years of post-admission experience;
  • experience working in commercial law with government procurement or materiel acquisition and sustainment experience;
  • candidates with a background working for, or with, the Department of Defence will be highly regarded;
  • a Commonwealth security clearance at NV1, NV2, or Baseline (minimum);
  • the ability to work autonomously as well as part of a supportive and collaborative team; and
  • the ability to confidently run matters, as well as the ability to handle a busy workload with competing timelines.
Please note that expressions of interest may be subject to the Department of Defence ATL engagement moratorium.About usHall & Wilcox is a leading independent Australian law firm. We deliver outstanding legal services to corporate, public sector and private clients, both Australian-based and those offshore doing business in Australia. Our purpose is to enable our clients, our people and our communities to thrive.Hear from our people about what it’s like to work at HW:Some of our recent awards and citations include:
  • Best Australian Law Firm (
$200m revenue) at the 2025 Beaton Client Choice Awards * Law Firm of the Year at the 2023 Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards
  • Ranked fourth in the Lawyers Weekly Top 25 Attraction Firms for 2023 and 2024
  • Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) citation holder since 2018
We are known for having a great culture that is warm and welcoming, progressive, inclusive and supportive, and that is underpinned by our enduring values - known as .We are also renowned for , which means we look beyond the status quo to think differently and find solutions. Smarter Law includes enabling technology, challenging business models, innovative pricing and creative resourcing.We are a firm of the future. We offer our people interesting and challenging work, and access to great clients. To learn more about HW visit ourApply nowLet’s connect. Click apply to submit your expression of interest.At Hall & Wilcox, we are committed to creating and maintaining a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions of all people. We encourage applications from candidates of all cultural backgrounds (including First Nations), age, abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities.We are also committed to supporting candidates with disability so that every candidate is offered a fair, equitable and supportive recruitment experience. If you require any adjustments or support to complete your application, or if you have any questions, please contact Alison Daly-Thomson, Talent Acquisition Manager, at for a confidential discussion.This vacancy is being managed directly by the HW Talent Acquisition / People & Culture team. We will contact our preferred agency partners should we require any assistance.#LI-AD1

Hall & Wilcox