Career opportunity

• Join us in our newly refurbished, purpose-built offices in either Geelong or Melbourne
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience

Who we are

Coulter Legal is one of Victoria’s largest regionally based law firms, with offices in Geelong, Melbourne, the Surf Coast, the Bellarine Peninsula, and South Australia. We are proud to be a leading law firm with a difference: we genuinely care about our people, our clients, and our community.

We embrace innovation and continuously evolve our legal processes to deliver exceptional outcomes. Our success is built on the contributions of every team member, and we believe that recruiting the right people is key to our growth and sustainability.

About the role

We are seeking an accomplished and strategically minded Special Counsel to join our Family & Relationship Law team based in Geelong and/ or Melbourne.

In this senior position, you will bring extensive expertise, supported by at least seven years of post‑admission experience in a family & relationship law setting, and play a pivotal role in guiding the direction and performance of a large, high‑functioning practice group.

As a senior practitioner, you will lead complex and high‑value matters, drawing on your experience across areas including property and financial settlements, parenting arrangements, spousal maintenance, child support, financial agreements and intervention orders. Your work will involve both high‑level autonomous decision‑making and meaningful collaboration with a supportive, talented and experienced team, including industry experts and accredited specialists, reinforcing your role as a senior mentor within the practice.

You will contribute towards a thriving, growing practice area by modelling excellence, driving high performance, and fostering a culture of professionalism and innovation. This is an opportunity for an experienced family & relationship lawyer to make a significant impact, supporting the firm’s continued development while delivering exceptional outcomes for clients navigating sensitive and complex legal matters.

Key responsibilities include:

• Deliver authoritative, accurate and timely legal advice across complex and high‑value family & relationship law matters, ensuring exceptional quality and strategic insight in every engagement.
• Drive an outstanding client experience, cultivating trusted relationships and guiding clients through sensitive and multifaceted legal issues with professionalism and empathy.
• Lead and oversee a diverse portfolio of matters, managing competing priorities with a high level of organisation, discipline and attention to detail expected of a senior practitioner.
• Model excellence and contribute meaningfully to team culture, working collaboratively with senior colleagues, accredited specialists and emerging practitioners to support a high‑performance, innovative practice group.
• Champion professional standards and continuous improvement, helping to reinforce the firm’s commitment to innovation, client service and practice growth.

What you will bring:

• A minimum of seven years’ post‑admission experience in a family & relationship law practice, demonstrating depth of expertise across the full spectrum of family & relationship law.
• Proven capability in cultivating strong client relationships, supported by sound judgment, emotional intelligence and a commitment to exemplary service.
• Exceptional organisational and file‑management skills, with meticulous attention to detail and a disciplined approach to managing complex and competing priorities.
• A proactive, positive and flexible approach, suited to a senior role that requires initiative, autonomy and the ability to navigate nuanced, high‑stakes matters.
• A collaborative mindset, with the ability to contribute constructively to a cohesive, supportive and high‑performing team environment.

Why join us?

At Coulter Legal, we foster a culture of high performance, engagement, and community connection. Our values guide everything we do, and we seek like-minded individuals who share our commitment to excellence and integrity.

You will be part of a supportive team where your skills and experience can grow. We offer a range of benefits, including:

• Flexible working options
• Generous parental leave program
• Floating public holidays
• Health and wellbeing initiatives
• Opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community
• Purchase leave program
• A genuinely inclusive and welcoming culture
• Access to ongoing training and professional development

How to apply

Coulter Legal values diversity, promotes inclusion, and ensures equal access for all. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and identities. We believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our team and enhance the service we provide to our clients.

If you require any adjustments to be made throughout the recruitment process, please contact us on the details below.

How to apply

For a confidential discussion, please contact Amelia Pilcher, HR Consultant on 03 5273 5243.

To submit your application, please click complete the form on this page.