Mid-Level Compulsory Acquisition Lawyer

About Law Squared 

Forget everything you know about law firms – we’ve found a better way. 

Law Squared is a leading Human Centred Law firm, founded in 2016 to provide an innovative, compelling, true alternative to traditional law firms – for clients and lawyers alike. 

We work exclusively on an upfront, fixed-fee model, prioritising our client’s success over billable hours and ensuring transparency and strategic control over their legal spend. By focusing on outcomes and value, rather than time and task-based inputs, Law Squared seamlessly bridges the gap between legal expertise and commercial impact. 

Trusted by ASX listed entitles, multi-national clients, General Counsels, in-house teams, and business leaders across a broad range of industries, Law Squared focuses on those areas crucial to business success, including Corporate, Commercial, Employment + Workplace Relations, Property + Projects and Disputes + Litigation, as well as those seeking dual jurisdictional support in Australia, the UK and/or NZ.  

Law Squared has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland and London. 

About the role

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a team engaged for the legal delivery of a major compulsory acquisition program in the renewable energy and critical infrastructure sector with the role based in either Brisbane or Melbourne. Working within our Property + Projects (Energy & Infrastructure) Team, you will be embedded in a complex, high-stakes project requiring deep statutory expertise, project management discipline, and the ability to drive large portfolios of landholder matters to resolution.

The key responsibilities of this role include: 

Legal Service Delivery: Working within the Project Team embedded on a major energy infrastructure project, executing the legal delivery of a large-scale compulsory acquisition program from mobilisation through to settlement or, where required, preparation for the Disputed Claims Phase. This includes:

• Statutory Notices and Applications: Preparing and managing overarching and property applications to the Governor in Council under the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic). Preparing and serving all statutory notices and documents required under the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 (Vic), including Notices of Intention to Acquire (NOITA), Notices of Acquisition, Initial Offers of Compensation, Replies to Claim, Notices of Entry, and supporting forms and statements.  
• Drafting and Negotiation: Preparing, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, leases, deeds, and other legal documents; and
• Compensation and Negotiation: Instructing and liaising with independent experts (land valuers, planners, accountants, agribusiness experts), reviewing expert reports, preparing and negotiating compensation offers, and where agreement cannot be reached, preparing for the Disputed Claims Phase (VCAT or Supreme Court). 

Client Management: Nurturing our current clients and assisting to attract new clients. This is a people first role, and you will be building relationships with current and new clients every day.  

Business Development: Supporting Law Squared’s clients, both current and future, by working closely with our Brand + Engagement Team with events, campaigns and executing new ideas to reach new clients in the Renewable Energy space.  

About you 

At Law Squared, we hire for mindset as much as skillset. We’re looking for commercially minded, client-focused people who take ownership, communicate well, and genuinely care about doing great work. Our best people are proactive, adaptable, collaborative, and always looking for smarter ways to create impact. If you value high standards, human-centred relationships, and being part of a business building something different, we’d love to hear from you.  

 The ideal candidate will be: 

• Experienced – have 6+ years PQE in compulsory acquisition, land access, and/or major energy or infrastructure projects; experience in Victorian statutory compulsory acquisition processes is highly regarded; 
• Knowledgeable – demonstrates deep working knowledge of the compulsory acquisition framework, including the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 (Vic), the Land Acquisition and Compensation Regulations 2021 (Vic), and the Electricity Industry Act 2000 (Vic); is skilled with the statutory process from NOITA through to Deed of Settlement and Release; and stays current with legislative and case law developments in this space. 
• A high performing player – has the ability to take ownership of their own matters and run them with a high degree of autonomy, and takes pride in quality, professionalism, and attention to detail when drafting, settling and sending work ensuring technical excellence is reflected across the board. 
• Commercially minded – understands the bigger picture and focus on outcomes that create value for clients and the business.  
• Client-centred – personable and genuinely cares about delivering an exceptional experience and building trusted relationships with our clients.  
• Accountable – takes ownership, follows through on commitments, and shows up as required for their team and clients.  
• Adaptable and growth-oriented – open to change, eager to learn, and committed to continuous improvement.  
• Tech and AI proficient - be proficient in or enthusiastic about learning, new technology tools (we are a paperless, tech-enabled law firm). 
• Collaborative – generous team player who communicates well, supports others, and contributes positively to culture.  
• Proactive – takes initiative, solves problems early, and looks for smarter ways of working.  
• Flexible - comfortable with occasional travel to support client needs, collaborate with the team, and deliver on project outcomes.

We don’t have a partnership model, so it is important that becoming a partner isn’t your main priority. We are looking for someone who is passionate about working in a collaborative firm that values whole team success over individual accolades.

How you’ll benefit

Law Squared is on a mission is to create a more innovative, collaborative, human centred experience for clients and employees alike. 

We don’t track billable hours, no financial budgets for individuals (we have team-based budgets), and we’ve embraced a ‘work from anywhere’ policy since day one. This means that whilst you will be based in one office, we have a flexible work from anywhere policy. 

Free from the barriers of time, tenure and ego, and aligned by team-oriented goals, we believe the best outcomes result for our clients, and each other. 

Our numerous employee benefits include: 

• Flexible work environment
• Tailored team and individual professional development program; we genuinely care about your development and are here to help you grow  
• Annual Practicing Certificate paid for by Law Squared
• Generous Parental Leave
• Paid Volunteer Leave
• Discounted Corporate ClassPass membership
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Employee Referral Incentive 
• Leading-edge legal ops + tech to optimise flexible working and client service outcomes 
• Team based KPIs, no timesheets! 

If you’re ready for a more human centred way of working, experience the Law Squared difference for yourself. 

Apply Now: 

To submit an application, please apply directly with your CV and cover letter. 

If you have any further questions, please contact: careers@lawsquared.com