Top 5 Most In-Demand Legal Roles in Brisbane – Private Practice – 2025 (And Why They’re Booming)
In-demand legal roles in Brisbane are evolving quickly in 2025, with private practice firms racing to secure top talent in growth areas driven by legislative shifts, economic changes, and increased client demand.
At Dare Recruitment, we’ve seen a sharp uptick in demand for key positions that blend strong technical capability with commercial insight. Whether you’re a lawyer considering your next move or a firm benchmarking market needs, this list is designed to give you clarity on what’s hot in the Brisbane legal market right now.
Below are the top five most in-demand legal roles in Brisbane for private practice in 2025 – and why they’re dominating the hiring landscape.
1. Family Lawyers (Associate to Partner)
Family law is undergoing a resurgence in Brisbane, driven by population growth, rising de facto separations, and increased complexity in asset division matters – particularly involving business structures, trusts, and self-managed superannuation funds.
Firms are aggressively hiring experienced and senior family lawyers with strong commercial acumen and dispute resolution skills. What sets the most in-demand candidates apart is their ability to manage high-net-worth separations, cross-jurisdictional parenting matters, and navigate emotionally charged client relationships.
Why it’s one of the most in-demand legal roles in Brisbane:
More family law litigants opting for private legal representation over Legal Aid
Demand for strategic, settlement-focused practitioners
Boutique and full-service firms both building or expanding family law capability
2. Construction Lawyers (Front-End and Disputes)
The infrastructure and development pipeline in Southeast Queensland continues to surge ahead of the 2032 Olympics. With major public and private projects underway, construction law is one of the most in-demand legal roles in Brisbane for 2025 – especially at Associate and Senior Associate levels.
Firms are competing hard for construction lawyers who can advise on procurement strategies, major contracts (AS 4000, GC21, NEC4), and act in complex disputes involving delay claims, variation disputes, and adjudications under the Security of Payment regime.
Why it’s one of the most in-demand legal roles in Brisbane:
Pipeline of projects across government, renewable energy, and transport
A shortage of mid-level construction specialists in Brisbane
Firms looking to grow construction teams ahead of Olympic-related legal work
3. Employment Lawyers (Advisory & Disputes)
Following continued updates to Australia’s industrial relations laws, including the Closing Loopholes legislation and expansion of psychological injury claims, employment lawyers are high on every firm’s recruitment radar.
There is particular demand for mid-level to senior lawyers who can advise corporate clients on enterprise agreements, award interpretation, discrimination claims, unfair dismissal, and complex workplace investigations.
Why it’s one of the most in-demand legal roles in Brisbane:
Legislative change = continuous client demand for updated advice
Surge in claims around flexible work, bullying, and mental health
In-house teams are increasingly outsourcing to boutique or mid-tier private firms
4. Commercial Litigation Lawyers (All Levels)
Litigation is back in full swing post-COVID, with a notable increase in contractual disputes, insolvency litigation, and regulatory enforcement actions. In Brisbane, we’ve seen particularly strong hiring at the 2–10 year PAE level, as well as lateral interest in experienced litigators with strong court craft and commerciality.
Top-tier and specialist disputes firms alike are expanding, and generalist litigators with exposure to shareholder disputes, breach of director duties, and ACL claims are especially sought after.
Why it’s one of the most in-demand legal roles in Brisbane:
A backlog of disputes flowing through courts and ADR systems
Insolvency work increasing off the back of business restructures
A skills shortage in the mid-level litigation talent pool
5. Corporate & Commercial Lawyers (M&A, Private Advisory)
While transactional deal flow dipped nationally in 2023–2024, Queensland’s mid-market is heating up again in 2025. Brisbane firms are back hiring corporate and commercial lawyers, especially those experienced in SME acquisitions, shareholder agreements, capital raises, and joint ventures.
We’ve seen increasing demand in firms serving private clients, founders, and family offices, where relationship-driven lawyers who blend legal advice with commercial pragmatism are prized.
Why it’s one of the most in-demand legal roles in Brisbane:
Resurgence in deal activity in Brisbane’s mid-market
Generational wealth transfer creating private advisory demand
High-value candidates often targeted by multiple firms simultaneously
🔑 Final Thoughts: What This Means for Lawyers and Law Firms
The Brisbane legal market is growing more competitive, and firms are no longer just filling gaps – they’re building future capability. The most in-demand legal roles in Brisbane reflect sectors that are:
Legislatively dynamic
Economically important
Strategically critical for firm growth
If you’re a lawyer considering your next move, aligning your career with one of these high-growth practice areas can significantly improve your marketability and long-term earning potential.
And for firms, understanding where demand is rising allows for better workforce planning and stronger talent acquisition strategies.
📈 How Dare Recruitment Can Help
At Dare Recruitment, we specialise in placing high-performing lawyers into private practice firms across Brisbane and Southeast Queensland. Our deep market knowledge means we can help you move quickly – whether you’re hiring or looking for your next role.
Want to discuss any of these in-demand legal roles in Brisbane – or your own plans for 2025?
Please get in touch today!
