Join Our Team of Family Lawyers

What does it take to begin your career at Newcastle’s largest specialist Family Law firm?

Strong academic ability matters. So do initiative, judgement, attention to detail and the willingness to learn. We are looking for one (1) exceptional graduate who understands that building a successful legal career takes consistent effort, openness to feedback and a genuine commitment to high professional standards.

Delaney Roberts Specialist Family Lawyers is recruiting now to secure the right final year law student ahead of their graduation and admission as a solicitor in 2027.

Starting your career with us

Our preference is for the successful candidate to join us as a Law Clerk at the end of November 2026, once university examinations have finished. You will complete your initial onboarding and begin working with the team before transitioning to a Solicitor role following admission in February 2027.

To secure the right person, we would also consider:

• A three (3) day per week Law Clerk arrangement while you complete your studies
• An early 2027 commencement if you are considering a post study break before beginning full-time work

What it takes to succeed at DRFL

You will not be expected to know everything when you begin. You will be expected to prepare properly, ask thoughtful questions, and apply what you learn.

You will need to:

• Take pride in producing accurate, carefully considered and review ready work
• Accept feedback professionally and demonstrate that you can act on it
• Show initiative while working within the direction and supervision provided
• Use established procedures and precedents consistently
• Achieve a high level of competency using our systems including LEAP, our matter management software
• Manage your time, meet deadlines and communicate early when you need guidance
• Treat clients, colleagues and other professionals with empathy, respect and integrity
• Take responsibility for your development and contribute positively to your team
• Have a strong academic record, excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in Family Law.
• You will also need the maturity to work with clients experiencing difficult and highly personal circumstances.

How we will invest in you

Our Graduate Lawyer Development Framework was introduced in 2026 and has already provided a strong foundation for our graduate lawyers.

You will have a dedicated Senior Associate mentor who allocates and reviews your work, provides regular feedback, and helps you develop your professional judgement. Your mentor will be involved in the recruitment process because the quality of this working relationship matters.

You will also have daily mentor check ins, monthly development meetings with your Team Leader, quarterly check ins with the Managing Partner, and a junior solicitor buddy for practical support.

Your responsibility will increase as you demonstrate competence and reliability. Your experience may include attending client appointments, preparing correspondence and Court documents, assisting with disclosure and financial matters, undertaking legal research, and attending mediations and Court events.

We provide the structure, support, and opportunities. You will need to make the most of them.

Our recruitment process

We are appointing one (1) graduate lawyer and will be selective about who we invest in.

To apply, please click “Apply Now” and upload:

1. Your resume
2. A cover letter explaining how you meet the criteria outlined in this advertisement
3. Your current academic record

We will review the applications and invite shortlisted candidates to complete a video interview. This will be your opportunity to show us how you communicate and demonstrate your genuine interest in Family Law and alignment with our values.  There is no set date for closing applications, but we encourage candidates to apply promptly as we aim to start interviewing in mid-September 2026.

We encourage you to prepare carefully and provide a considered, authentic application that helps us understand why you may be the right graduate for Delaney Roberts Specialist Family Lawyers.

Complex Work. Structured Support. Clear Pathway to Leadership & Equity.

Are you ready to take the next step in your Family Law career? We can offer you the support, structure, and development you need to grow into a leadership role.

At Delaney Roberts Specialist Family Lawyers, we exist to secure the best possible future for our clients and their families.  As one of the largest specialist Family Law teams in New South Wales outside of Sydney, our Newcastle office offers the scale, resources and complexity of work that is rarely found in the local market.

We are seeking an experienced Family Lawyer (5+ years PAE) who is ready to deepen their expertise, contribute to a high-performing team and build a clear pathway toward leadership.

Why We Are Different

We expect high performance, but we do not apply unreasonable pressure to individuals to achieve it.

We take a systems-based approach to legal practice. We focus on the leadership, workflow, delegation, technology and development structures that support high-quality work and sustainable performance.

We continuously improve our systems and workflows to remove friction points and support our Solicitors to perform at their best.

In practice, this means:

• you are supported by strong systems, precedents and processes,
• you are not left to find workarounds for operational inefficiencies,
• targets are challenging but achievable, and
• high performance is built through support, not pressure.

What You Will Experience

• Complex, Meaningful Work
  You will work on a broad range of parenting and property matters, including high value and commercially complex cases.

• A Clear Pathway to Leadership
  This role has a defined pathway to Team Leader, with early opportunities to mentor Graduates and Junior Lawyers and build leadership capability.
  You will be coached and developed to refine your expertise in complex areas of  Family Law.

• A Structure That Supports You
  As part of a broader legal services group of more than 50 people, you will be supported by experienced Team Leaders, a high-performing legal support team, and dedicated Operations, Sales & Marketing and People & Culture functions.
  You will also have continuous access to guidance from highly experienced practitioners, including Accredited Specialists in Family Law and solicitors with more than 20 years’ experience in the field.

• Ongoing Development
  You will benefit from structured 1:1s, quarterly goal setting, regular matter reviews, continuous feedback, fortnightly Lunch & Learns, leadership training & development and support for achieving Specialist Accreditation.

About the Role

You will manage your own files from start to finish while working within a high-performing, collaborative team. You will have the support and autonomy to delegate appropriate lower-level tasks to Assistants, Paralegals and Junior Family Lawyers.

You will:

• manage a mix of parenting and property matters,
• appear in court and continue to develop your advocacy skills,
• build strong relationships with clients and referrers,
• contribute to team performance and culture,
• mentor Junior Lawyers and support their development, and
• continue to build your technical and strategic capability.

About You

This role is likely to suit you if you:

• have 5+ years of PAE in Family Law,
• can confidently manage files from initial consultation through to resolution,
• have experience in complex parenting and property matters,
• have advocacy experience and confidence in court,
• are ready to step into a more senior role with a pathway to leadership,
• value high standards and delivering excellent client outcomes, and
• are motivated to grow your career in a structured, high performing environment.

What We Offer

• competitive annual salary with monthly commission,
• annual salary review,
• clear pathway to leadership and equity,
• Specialist Accreditation support and bonus,
• annual CPD budget and regular training,
• reward and recognition programs,
• flexible working arrangements,
• birthday and volunteering leave, and
• wellbeing support and a focus on sustainable performance.

Looking Ahead

We have strong growth plans for our firm.

For the right person, this role offers genuine progression into leadership, long-term career development and future opportunities across our broader group, including Sydney.

How To Apply

If you are ready to take the next step in your career and want to be part of a firm that invests in your development, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest in the role.

Join our People-First Team and Make a Difference

Are you a friendly and professional person who can’t help but make a good first impression? Delaney Roberts Family Lawyers is seeking an enthusiastic Receptionist to join our team and play a crucial role in supporting our Family Law practice. With our “People First” philosophy at the heart of everything we do, this is your chance to help us deliver an outstanding experience for our clients and team members alike.

Why Choose Us?

At Delaney Roberts Family Lawyers, we are committed to attracting and nurturing top talent by ensuring all employees feel valued and supported. Our mission is to secure the best future for every client and their family, and we achieve this by embedding our values into every aspect of our work.

About the Role

As our Receptionist, you will help manage daily operations to ensure we deliver exceptional client experiences. You will be responsible for delivering a great first impression on the phone and in person. Creating a welcoming environment for our clients and providing essential administrative support across the office. Full training is provided to help you excel in tasks ranging from client interaction to managing multiple systems. Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing incoming and outgoing calls via C3X which is a software-based phone system
• Accurately recording client and enquiry details in Clio our legal CRM system
• Performing conflict checks to ensure we are able to work people enquiring about our services.
• Greeting clients and attending to their needs
• Assisting with filing and general administration which will require you to follow our Smart Operating Procedures (SOP) and use LEAP (our practice software for managing legal matters)
• Coordinating appointments and booking meeting room schedules via Microsoft Office.
• Handling mail and deliveries
• Ensuring the office and kitchens are well-presented
• Providing additional support where needed

About You

We are looking for someone with a proactive attitude who is passionate about creating a positive experience for others. To succeed in this role, you will need:

• At least 2 years of experience working as a receptionist in a corporate or professional services environment.
• A positive, and self-motivated attitude
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Empathy and resilience when dealing with emotional clients (we provide de-escalation technique training).
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• An aptitude for technology and picking up new systems and processes.
• The ability to multitask and prioritise in a busy office environment – we host a lot of client meetings and mediations in our offices.

What’s in it for You?

• Training and Development – We provide full training and support to help you succeed in your role.
• Employee Incentives – Participate in a range of employee reward programs with monthly and quarterly incentives including vouchers and cash.
• Inclusive Culture – Be part of a respectful and welcoming workplace where everyone is valued.
• Enjoy regular events like Friday night drinks, end-of-month celebrations, EOFY team building, Melbourne Cup festivities, Christmas parties, and more.
• Wellbeing: Access our comprehensive Employee Assistance Program, offering 24/7 support from psychologists via phone, videoconference, or in person. This benefit extends to your immediate family as well.
• Modern office, building design features and a Newcastle CBD location with easy access greenspaces, the light rail and other public transport option

How to apply

If you are ready to join a firm that truly values its people and contribute to our mission, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your application, including a cover letter, by clicking the “Apply Now” button.