Litigation lawyer – deceased estates

Join a team that solves challenging estate disputes with practical strategy and a clear view of what is worth fighting.

About us

At Curae Law our mission is simple. We exist to help people simplify and solve legal problems.

Simplify and solve isn't just a slogan; it underpins everything we do. We help our clients understand their legal problems and the options available to them, make good decisions and then solve them, so they can move on with their lives. We do that by delivering practical, client-focused services at incredibly high standards.

We work in deceased estates, Wills and estate planning, property settlements and debt collection. Many of our clients come to us at a hard time in their lives. How they are treated is what they remember.

We have three values. Be kind, do things differently and strive for excellence. These are what we hire against.

The role

The work in estate litigation is varied and complex, crossing over into many other areas including property, company, debt collection, superannuation disputes and SAT guardianship/administration matters. (If you’ve seen Fisk, you’ll know what we are talking about!).

We're looking for a lawyer who can take carriage of a matter and drive it, works well with clients on succession-related matters, and enjoys a busy litigation practice. The ideal candidate will:

be able to run a caseload of family provision claims, will disputes and contentious probate matters with limited supervision;
be comfortable with technology and interested in using it well, including practice management software, document automation and AI tools, and willing to help us improve the way we work rather than wait to be told;
take a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach to disputes, including knowing when a matter should settle and being able to explain that to a client who does not want to hear it;
communicate clearly and with care, in writing and in person, with clients who are grieving or in conflict with their own family, and firmly with opposing practitioners when that is what the matter needs;
share our mission to simplify and solve legal problems, and our values: be kind, do things differently, strive for excellence.

This position is open to full-time and part-time applicants and will be based in our office in the Perth CBD.

About you

This role is for a lawyer who has run contentious estate matters and wants to keep running them. It is not a first step into litigation.

Please address each of the following in your cover letter.

Your experience

Tell us about two or three contentious estate matters you have run: what the issue was, what you did and how it ended.
You have taken matters to mediation and can tell us about one that settled and one that did not.
You have appeared in court and are comfortable doing more of it

How you work

You keep your matters moving. You can hold a list of matters and their deadlines without being chased
You form a view on the merits early and you tell the client, including when the answer is that the claim is not worth running
You are accurate and you check your own work without close supervision

How you deal with clients

Our clients are often grieving and in conflict with their own family. You can be straight with them without being cold
You set expectations early and you do not let a client believe the outcome will be better than it is going to be

You will need at least three years post admission experience, with a substantial part of it in contentious estates or civil litigation.

What we offer

Rewarding work in a values-driven team where collaboration matters
High standards, held consistently. You will not be the only person in the room who cares about getting it right
Professional growth through support, mentorship and development.
We work hard while we are here, then we encourage our team to enjoy life outside work
Flexibility through our Core Working Hours policy
A modern office in the heart of the Perth CBD, a short walk from the train and bus
An innovative firm committed to doing things differently and making a meaningful contribution

Remuneration

Salary will be commensurate with experience, reflecting your skills and your contribution to the firm.

How to apply

Ready to join our mission to simplify and solve legal problems?

Email your CV and a cover letter addressing each of the criteria under About you to . The cover letter is how we shortlist, so take your time with it.

For a confidential conversation about the role, telephone Director Nigel Siegwart on (08) 9220 4402.

Applications close 30 September 2026.

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