Barry.Nilsson., established in 1963 by John Barry, began as a general commercial and property law firm. In the early 1970s, John’s brother, David Barry, partnered with Jack Nilsson to form Barry & Nilsson. The firm expanded its services to include Family Law and Insurance & Health Law, rebranding as Barry.Nilsson. in 2010.
Today, Barry.Nilsson. operates as a national law firm with offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. The firm specializes in Insurance & Health Law, Family Law and Wills & Estates, employing over 400 staff including more than 30 principals.
In June 2024, Peter Murdoch, a principal in the Insurance & Health Law division, was appointed as the new chair of Barry.Nilsson., succeeding Rhett Kennedy. Murdoch’s two-year term commenced on July 1, 2024, with a focus on implementing the firm’s strategic plan and maintaining sustainable growth.
Benefits
From the complete job description:
- Health insurance
- Parental leave
Comprehensive Job Description
The Firm
Barry Nilsson is a highly regarded national law firm with an impressive 60-year legacy. With over 450 dedicated team members, the firm has established itself as a leader in the areas of insurance, health and family law. Renowned for its extensive industry expertise, Barry Nilsson delivers superior legal services that inspire trust and confidence among its clientele.
For the past six consecutive years, Barry Nilsson has been recognized as an Employer of Choice by the Australasian Lawyer Employer of Choice Awards. The firm’s culture is often described by employees as professional, approachable, flexible and grounded. According to the most recent staff engagement survey, 93% of employees believe their managers are accessible, approachable and responsive.
Additionally, employees report feeling that their well-being genuinely matters to their managers.
The National Insurance & Health Team
Barry Nilsson’s Insurance & Health division is led by 32 highly respected principals who are industry leaders across six states. This award-winning team is celebrated for its commitment to excellence, providing top-tier advice and delivering outstanding service to clients.
The division manages claims across all major classes of insurance and represents leading names in the insurance sector, both locally and internationally.
The Role
As part of the firm’s growth strategy, an exciting opportunity has emerged for an Associate-level lawyer to join the Financial Lines and Health team in Melbourne. This position is part of a close-knit and collaborative team, guided by two renowned and accomplished Principals, Hubert Wajszel and Scott Shelly.
The role offers a diverse portfolio of work within the financial lines and health sectors. Financial lines responsibilities will involve defending a wide array of claims against directors, officers, corporations and professionals in industries such as legal services, financial services, construction and property. On the health law side, the successful candidate will engage in representing hospitals, clinics, medical practitioners, allied health professionals and other healthcare providers in various claims, disciplinary actions, litigation and coronial inquests.
The Ideal Candidate
Barry Nilsson seeks a candidate who embodies the following qualifications, skills and attributes:
- A minimum of 3 years of defendant insurance experience, preferably in professional indemnity
- Proven ability to cultivate strong client relationships with a client-centric approach
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- A collaborative and pragmatic working style
The Benefits
Barry Nilsson offers a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support and reward their team members:
- A firm-provided laptop to facilitate agile working practices
- Flexible work arrangements including options such as a 9.5-day fortnight, remote work, purchase of additional leave and public holiday swapping
- An annual performance bonus scheme to acknowledge and reward exceptional contributions
- Structured mentoring and access to both internal and external training opportunities to support career growth
- A casual office environment with a “dress for your day” policy
- Participation in the BNWell Health & Wellbeing program, which includes an annual health and wellbeing allowance and a designated health and wellbeing day
- Shared parental leave policies offering equal benefits to all parents, regardless of gender
- Opportunities to engage in pro bono legal work, participate in secondments and hold industry-related appointments
Application Process
To submit a confidential application, please contact Lulu Schneiders, People & Culture Adviser, for further details.
Barry Nilsson is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where the best and most diverse talent can thrive. The firm prioritizes diversity, creating an environment where individuals can bring their authentic selves to work and feel valued, respected and supported.
Applications are welcome from individuals of all backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and candidates of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities and ethnicities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the founding year of Barry Nilsson?
Barry Nilsson was founded in 1963 and has since grown into a prominent national law firm in Australia.
- What areas of law does Barry Nilsson specialize in?
The firm specializes in Insurance & Health Law, Family Law and Wills & Estates, providing comprehensive legal services to a broad range of clients.
- How many offices does Barry Nilsson operate and where are they located?
Barry Nilsson operates offices in six major cities across Australia: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.
- What makes Barry Nilsson stand out as an employer?
Barry Nilsson has been recognized as an Employer of Choice for six consecutive years. Employees often describe the culture as professional, approachable and flexible, with a strong focus on employee well-being.
- What kind of work environment can I expect at Barry Nilsson?
The firm promotes a casual yet professional work environment, supported by a “dress for your day” policy and flexible working arrangements including options for remote work.
- What benefits does Barry Nilsson offer to its employees?
Benefits include health insurance, a firm-provided laptop, annual performance bonuses, structured mentoring, flexible working arrangements and access to health and wellness programs.
- What qualifications are required for the Associate-level lawyer role in Melbourne?
The ideal candidate should have at least 3 years of defendant insurance experience (preferably in professional indemnity), strong client relationship skills, effective communication abilities and a collaborative working style.
- Who will I be working with in the Financial Lines and Health team?
The successful candidate will work closely with Principals Hubert Wajszel and Scott Shelly, both recognized as leaders in their fields.
- How does Barry Nilsson promote diversity and inclusion?
Barry Nilsson fosters a culture that values diversity and inclusion, welcoming applications from all backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and individuals of all genders, ages and ethnicities.
- How can I apply for the Associate-level lawyer role?
Interested candidates can apply confidentially by contacting Lulu Schneiders, the People & Culture Adviser, for further details.
