Candidate: Commercial Litigation Associate
Level: 6 PQE
Move: Independent Firm to Leading International Firm
Location: New Zealand to Melbourne
Background:
From the very first conversation, our Sydney legal recruiter, Matthew Mayes, recognised this candidate’s strong market appeal. With elite academics, a confident and professional manner, and a rare combination of disputes and advocacy experience, this associate stood out as a top-tier talent. It was clear that multiple firms would be interested in him.
The Challenge:
The process became more complex due to the candidate’s desire to relocate alongside his partner, with both Sydney and Melbourne on the table. After carefully navigating opportunities in both cities, the candidate received an extremely competitive offer from a US firm in Sydney—one of the highest we’ve seen at that level.
However, by the time the offer was made, the candidate’s partner was close to finalising a role in Melbourne. Prioritising the personal and professional alignment, the candidate shifted focus entirely to Melbourne opportunities.
The Decision:
Ultimately, the candidate was presented with two strong offers:
- Offer 1: Associate role at a top-tier Australian firm
- Offer 2: Senior Associate role at a leading international firm
Matthew worked closely with the candidate to weigh the pros and cons of each. While the top-tier firm offered prestige, the international firm showed greater commitment by offering a more senior title and significantly higher salary—demonstrating how highly they valued the candidate from the outset.
After thoughtful consideration, the candidate chose the international firm—impressed by how clearly they backed him throughout the process. He accepted the Senior Associate role in Melbourne, confident he was joining a team that truly recognised his value.
Recruiter Insight
"Going through the recruitment process alone makes it difficult to know if an offer truly reflects your value or the market standard. Without someone in your corner, it’s easy to undersell yourself — often without even realising it. It was great to play a part in ensuring this lawyer secured the offer they deserved. A great result for all involved." - Matthew Mayes, Sydney Senior Legal Recruiter
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