New Zealand Law Society - Senior Counsel

Senior Counsel

About the Senior Counsel Role:

A busy suburban practice with a diverse range of clients seeks Senior Counsel for an immediate start to operate the practice while the owner is on extended leave. The role is 37.5 hours per week and is based in central Christchurch with some flexibility for working remotely.

While you’ll be involved in client transactions, this is a senior role with a focus on driving practice development.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Lead, mentor and develop a team of four (two solicitors, and two legal executives).
  • Provide leadership of the practice, including business development and staff management and performance.
  • Improve the delivery of legal services by leading the transition of a new practice management system and development of service delivery tools.
  • Develop and maintain policies, templates, resources to enhance client service delivery.
  • Supervise complex legal advice.

Applicants will need:

  • To have completed stepping up and be qualified to practise on their own account;
  • At least 6+ years' PQE in New Zealand, with a significant period spent in general practice;
  • Leadership experience – including supervision of complex transactions and performance management & staff development;

Skills Required:

  • Be highly organised, proactive and extremely outcomes focused
  • Be an excellent communicator and bring a reliable calm and empathetic demeanour;
  • Support others through complex or high-pressure situations.
  • Enjoy a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment where most client matters need to be resolved within days (not weeks or months).
  • Value collaboration, inclusion and working with a diverse team and client base.
  • Bring energy, curiosity and a desire to shape and grow a practice.
  • Comfortably move between strategic leadership and hands-on operational support.
  • Demonstrate leadership style that is self-aware, reflexive and reliable.
  • Fluency in mandarin would be advantageous
  • Trust account supervisor certification is advantageous

Please note: Applications close 5pm, 3 August 2026.

We are unable to consider applications from candidates who do not currently have the right to live, work or practice on their own account in New Zealand.