Legal Research Assistant (Part-time)

• Learn how legal work is actually done not just how its taught
• Part-time role under the Legal Services Award 2020 Level 5
• Work closely with senior lawyers and earn trust through quality work
• Join a firm wherecuriosity thinking and accuracy matter

How We Think About Legal Work

At Sharpe & Abel we dont see legal work as an exercise in templates or box-ticking. We exist to solve problems properly with a deep understanding of the businesses we act for.

We are a Melbourne-based law firm serving the industrial engineering and industrial technology sectors. Many of our clients have worked with us for over a decade not because we move cautiously but because we think carefully act decisively and take responsibility for outcomes.

Our approach is grounded in first principles. That means understanding context before jumping to answers questioning assumptions (including our own) and being precise about the law that actually applies. We value curiosity competence and verification not surface-level confidence.

Weve worked in a distributed technology-enabled model since 2012. That way of working only succeeds when people are accountable resilient and committed to improving. We invest heavily in learning and expect everyone regardless of role to take their development seriously.

If good enough is your benchmark this wont be the right place. But if you want to learn how legal work is done properly and why it matters youll be challenged and supported at Sharpe & Abel.

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The Role and Why It Matters

This role exists for one reason: to help our lawyers solve client problems better faster and with confidence.

As a part-time Legal Research Assistant (up to 20 hours per week) youll work closely with lawyers across the firm supporting legal and factual research verification and internal work that directly improves quality and speed. This is not a back-office or observational role. If you do this well your work will be relied on.

Youll be based in our Melbourne CBD office learning how legal work happens in practice how issues arise how answers are tested and whyjudgment and accuracy matter as much as speed.

Over time youll become someone lawyers trust. That trust is earned by doing the fundamentals well: checking sources understanding jurisdiction verifying applicability and knowing when something needs to be questioned.

Your work will include:

• Researching legal and factual issues for live client matters
• Verifying case law legislation and authorities across jurisdictions
• Anticipating what lawyers will need next
• Supporting invoicing and accounts receivable processes
• Using technology (including AI) thoughtfully and responsibly
• Improving how research and internal support is done over time

This is an entry-level role but not a low-expectation one. We invest time in training because we want people to get good and were looking for someone willing to stay with the learning curve.

Who This Role Is Likely to Suit

This role suits someone early in their legal career who wants to learn how legal work is actually done in practice.

You dont need prior law firm experience. What matters is a solid grounding in legal research an understanding that accuracy matters and the discipline to check your work even when things move quickly.

Youll likely be a strong fit if you:

• Are studying law or have recently commenced your legal career
• Have completed foundational legal research training
• Are comfortable reading legislation and cases and checking applicability
• Take pride in getting things right not just getting them done
• Are numerate and comfortable working with data and figures
• Are curious accountable and process-aware

This role isnt designed as a short-term CV stop. We invest in people who want to grow earn trust and be relied on.

If you enjoy being challenged value feedback and want your work to genuinely matter youll find this role demanding and rewarding.

What Youll Get in Return

This is a part-time role with real responsibility and strong learning exposure early in your legal career.

Youll be paid in line with the Legal Services Award 2020 Level 5 (fixed hourly rate) and youll receive:

• Hands-on training and structured onboarding
• Regular practical feedback
• Exposure to live client matters and real legal decision-making
• Access to learning resources and external training
• A supportive collegiate team that values learning
• A Melbourne CBD office close to major law schools

We dont leave people guessing how theyre tracking. If you put in the effort well invest in your development.

This role is primarily office-based especially at the beginning. Being close to the work supports faster learning stronger judgment and better foundations. Flexibility may follow as trust and capability develop.

Ready to Apply

If youre looking for an easy role this probably isnt it.

But if you want to build strong legal fundamentals contribute meaningfully and work in a team that values thinking accuracy and improvement wed like to hear from you.

Apply now and tell us why this stage of your career matters to you.