Commercial Property Associate – 3+ Years PAE

Gold Coast | Full-time | Property & Leasing

McTaggart Grant Lawyers is looking for an Associate with at least 3 years’ post-admission experience to join our growing property team on the Gold Coast.

This is an opportunity for a property lawyer to take genuine ownership of high-quality property transactions while working closely with experienced practitioners.

The role will have a strong focus on commercial and residential property transactions, as well as commercial and retail leasing. There will also be opportunities to progressively develop your experience across complex property transactions. We are looking for someone who is comfortable running property transactions autonomously, but who also wants to continue developing their technical drafting skills and commercial capability.

What the role offers

You will play an important role in the day-to-day delivery of our property practice. The role offers:

• Autonomy to manage property transactions from initial instruction through to settlement.
• Significant involvement in commercial and retail leasing matters, including drafting, reviewing and negotiating leases.
• Direct client contact and responsibility for proactively progressing transactions.
• Exposure to a broad range of quality property work, rather than a narrow conveyancing practice.
• Genuine opportunities to further develop your technical, transactional and client-management skills.
• The opportunity to work closely with experienced property and commercial practitioners.

This is a full-time role based in our Gold Coast office and will suit someone who enjoys working collaboratively as part of a close-knit team.

The work

Your day-to-day work will include:

• Managing property acquisitions and disposals from contract through to settlement.
• Reviewing and advising on REIQ commercial and residential contracts, including drafting and negotiating special conditions.
• Reviewing and interpreting property searches and identifying issues requiring further investigation or advice.
• Undertaking, reviewing and preparing property due diligence reports, seller disclosure statements and other transaction documentation.
• Preparing and reviewing settlement statements and undertaking settlement adjustments and calculations.
• Managing electronic settlements through PEXA.
• Preparing and lodging Queensland Titles Registry forms and confidently navigating the Queensland Land Title Practice Manual.
• Drafting, reviewing, advising on and negotiating commercial leases and retail shop leases including agreements for lease and incentive deeds.
• Advising on the application of the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 (Qld) and associated disclosure and procedural requirements.
• Liaising directly with clients, agents, financiers, other solicitors and professional advisers.
• Providing appropriate oversight and support to our property paralegal on property matters.

About you

We expect you will have approximately 3 or more years’ PAE in property law, although we are more interested in the quality and relevance of your experience than an exact number.

You will ideally have:

• Demonstrated experience independently managing property transactions from initial instruction through to settlement.
• Strong experience in commercial and retail leasing, including experience in drafting, reviewing, advising on and negotiating leases.
• Strong experience with REIQ property contracts and Queensland conveyancing processes.
• Experience drafting and negotiating special conditions and advising clients on contractual and transaction documentation.
• Strong working knowledge of PEXA and electronic conveyancing.
• A good working knowledge of the Queensland Land Title Practice Manual and experience preparing and lodging Titles Registry forms.
• Experience preparing settlement statements and reviewing property searches and disclosure documentation.
• Strong familiarity with residential conveyancing, including the ability to review matters and provide appropriate oversight and support to a property paralegal.
• Strong written communication and drafting skills.
• Confidence in dealing directly with clients.

How you work

Technical capability is important, but so is the way you approach your work. In particular, we are looking for someone who:

• Has exceptional attention to detail.
• Takes ownership of matters and proactively drives transactions forward.
• Demonstrates initiative and anticipates next steps.
• Identifies issues early and exercises sound judgement about when they should be raised or escalated.
• Is highly organised and able to manage multiple transactions and competing deadlines.
• Communicates clearly and confidently with clients and other stakeholders.
• Produces accurate, practical and commercially focused work.
• Is comfortable working autonomously while remaining collaborative.
• Takes pride in delivering a high level of client service.
• Is curious, commercially minded and interested in continuing to develop as a property lawyer.

Why join McTaggart Grant Lawyers?

McTaggart Grant Lawyers is a modern, highly regarded boutique firm recognised by Doyle’s Guide for its work in property, corporate and commercial law.

We act for a strong client base on the Gold Coast and throughout Australia and regularly receive sophisticated property and commercial instructions.

For the right lawyer, this role provides an opportunity to become an important part of our growing property practice. You will have genuine responsibility and autonomy, while working closely with experienced practitioners who are available to discuss strategy, work through difficult issues and support your continued professional development.

We want the person joining us to become a strong, well-rounded property lawyer with excellent transactional and leasing capabilities.

Our benefits also include:

• High-quality property and commercial work.
• Direct access to experienced senior practitioners.
• Genuine mentoring, feedback and professional development.
• Autonomy and responsibility appropriate to your experience.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• An additional day of annual leave for your birthday.
• Modern offices on the Gold Coast.

If you are a property lawyer with at least 3 years’ PAE looking for quality work, genuine responsibility and career development, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Please apply through the Apply Now button with your CV and a short cover letter.

Applicants must have the right to work in Australia.