Property & projects
Australian property law is a diverse area of expertise. From international acquisition and investment, to land disposal and leasing, the sector has a range of specialisations and often requires multi-disciplinary legal services. Planning and Environment lawyers help navigate the regulatory environment that surrounds land use, planning and zoning issues that are related to construction, financing, acquisition, disposition and management of real estate and infrastructure projects.
At Alex Correa Executive we act for a variety of companies in the property, planning and environment sectors from boutique to top-tier. The roles we recruit for are varied - ranging from boutique specialists who focus on conveyancing, leasing and strata management to multi-national firms who deal with commercial property development and government land procurement projects.
Property
Property law in Queensland covers a wide range of work, from acquisitions and disposals through to development, leasing, retirement village work, body corporate and management rights.
Some roles offer strong transactional foundations under experienced senior lawyers. Others involve independent carriage of complex matters for developers, fund managers, institutional clients or private clients. The right move depends on more than firm size. It depends on the quality of work, the mentoring available, the level of client contact, and the kind of practice you want to build.
We regularly speak with property lawyers who are weighing up breadth against specialisation. Some want a stronger technical base. Some want more autonomy. Some are ready for larger transactions. Others are looking for a practice where the culture and training are better aligned with how they work best.
We help you make sense of those options before you move.
Mining & resources
Queensland’s mining, resources and energy sector has its own rhythm, shaped by commodity cycles, major project investment, regulatory complexity and the ongoing energy transition.
The legal work can span traditional mining and minerals, electricity, gas, renewables, project development, regulatory advice and commercial arrangements. There is also a natural crossover with planning, environment and native title work, which means lawyers with adjacent experience may have more options than they first realise.
We act for firms across this space, from boutique and specialist practices through to larger firms advising resources companies, energy providers and major project clients.
For some lawyers, this area offers the chance to build deep sector expertise. For others, it becomes a pathway into broader projects, energy, infrastructure or in-house roles. We can help you understand how your experience translates, where the demand sits, and which firms are likely to value the work you have already done.
Construction & infrastructure
Construction and infrastructure work continues to be a significant part of the South East Queensland legal market, with activity across residential, commercial, transport, energy and government-backed infrastructure projects.
For lawyers, the work can vary considerably. In some firms, front end and back end construction work sit together, giving lawyers exposure to both project documents and disputes arising from those projects. In other firms, the work is more clearly separated into advisory, transactional or disputes-focused teams.
This structure affects the kind of experience you build, the clients you work with, and the career pathways available to you later.
We work with lawyers at different stages of their construction and infrastructure careers, from those building their foundations through to senior lawyers already carrying significant project responsibility. Whether you are looking for stronger training, larger projects, more client contact or a clearer path into in-house or government work, we can help you understand what the market is likely to offer.
Relevant case studies
1. Senior Associate, Commercial Property — Private Practice, National Mid-tier
The situation
A national mid-tier law firm briefed us to find a Senior Associate level property lawyer. We advertised and networked the role across a number of channels, including our own database.
What almost got in the way
The obvious names circulating on the market weren't necessarily the right fit. Some had already tried and not quite landed elsewhere.
What mattered here
We approached a lawyer on our database who had previously applied for an in-house position but had been unsuccessful. They were open to exploring something different.
Where they ended up
They were appointed to the Senior Associate role. A knockback in one direction can quietly open the door to the right opportunity in another.
2. Special Counsel, Commercial Property — Private Practice, Mid-tier
The situation
We placed this candidate over ten years ago and stayed in contact throughout their career. They came back to us to discuss options where progression to partnership was on the table, something their current firm could not offer.
What almost got in the way
Long standing loyalty to a firm can make it hard for someone to seriously consider a move, even once their own goals have outgrown it.
What mattered here
A decade of relationship meant we understood exactly what this candidate valued: flexibility, progression and remuneration that reflected their experience, not simply a bigger title.
Where they ended up
They accepted a Special Counsel role at a mid-tier firm offering all three. Relationships built over years, not weeks, are often what make the right next move possible.
Property & projects jobs
Frequently asked questions
Working with Alex Correa Executive is straightforward, honest and built on trust. We ask questions because we want to represent you properly, not to catch you out, and we will always tell you where we stand.
Will I still get strong training and mentoring if I move to a boutique or smaller firm?
Often, yes, but it depends on the firm. Training quality does not automatically increase with firm size. Some smaller and boutique firms offer excellent mentoring and earlier responsibility. Others may require more independence. We help you understand the difference before you make a move.
Can I move from private practice into government or in-house from these areas?
Yes. Property, construction, infrastructure, resources and energy experience can translate well into government and in-house roles, particularly where you have strong commercial judgement, stakeholder skills and experience working with complex projects or corporate clients.
Does retirement village work require different experience to general property transactions?
Retirement village work has its own regulatory demands, but it is not closed to property lawyers who have not yet worked directly in the area. The key question is how transferable your existing property experience is, and whether the firm is prepared to support the development of that specialisation.
Is now a good time to move into construction and infrastructure law?
There is strong activity across construction and infrastructure in South East Queensland, but the better question is what kind of opportunity you are moving into. We can help you distinguish between roles built around long-term practice growth and roles driven by short-term project demand.
Can planning and environment experience translate into mining, resources or energy work?
Yes. Planning and environment experience often has useful crossover with mining, resources and energy work, especially where land use, approvals, regulation or project development are involved. We can help you understand how that experience may be positioned.
