Senior Solicitor, Litigation

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 106,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Oranga Tamariki is seeking an experienced litigation lawyer to join their dynamic legal team in Wellington. The role involves providing legal advice, conducting litigation, and mentoring colleagues to ensure positive outcomes for children. This position offers a supportive environment with significant training opportunities and flexible work options.

Benefits

Flexible work options

Professional development

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Experience in family or criminal law is essential.
• Excellent communication and digital skills required.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and advocacy services to social workers.
• Conduct litigation on behalf of Oranga Tamariki.

Skills

Communication

Integrity

Cross-cultural understanding

Education

Barrister and Solicitor admission in New Zealand

Job description

* No time recording or fee targets with ongoing training and development
* Plenty of people engagement and court time
* Role will be based at our Willis Street Office, Te Whanganui a Tara/Wellington


Mō mātou | About us
Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children has a commitment to putting tamariki and rangatahi at the heart of what we do. In our work, we aim to demonstrate these values:

* We put Tamariki first


* We believe Aroha is vital


* We respect the Mana of people


* We are Tika and Pono


* We value Whakapapa


* We recognise that Oranga is a journey

We are committed to ensuring that New Zealand is the best place in the world to be a child. We are also committed to ensuring Oranga Tamariki partners with hapū, iwi and Māori organisations to find appropriate solutions for tamariki in need.

Mō te tūnga| About the role
We are looking for an experienced litigation lawyer with excellent legal skills to be a safe pair of hands in our dynamic and agile legal team. This role is based in our Willis Street office in Wellington.
In this fast-paced, exciting role you will play a key role providing legal advice and advocacy services to social workers and other staff. Your work will involve court time conducting litigation on behalf of Oranga Tamariki, with a focus on ensuring good outcomes for tamariki and their whānau. Our team supports Oranga Tamariki to achieve the goal of all tamariki being in loving whānau and communities where Oranga Tamariki can be realised. You will also assist the Regional Legal Manager to identify, manage and strategize legal risk. You will be excited to provide mentoring to other legal colleagues and enjoy leading training.
Advising and collaborating with Social Workers and/or other Lawyers are some of the key work that occurs outside of the courtroom. However, this position does include significant court time. This is a role where your internal and external relationships will enable you to work collectively to make a positive difference for our tamariki.

Ngā pūmanawatanga ōu | What you will bring
We want to hear how your skills/experience align so have listed some of the attributes you need to be successful in this role below:

* Be admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand and have (or be eligible for) a practicing certificate
* Have a sound understanding of either family or criminal (youth justice) law or have a genuine passion and interest to work in this area
* Have the drive and desire to ensure all tamariki are in loving whānau and communities
* Be committed to helping us honour our treaty commitments to Māori to improve long-term outcomes
* Thrive in a job where no day is the same but each day your mahi matters
* Excellent communication, digital and written skills
* Understanding and appreciation of cross-cultural practices in particular; knowledge of tikanga Māori, and Pacific peoples' culture
* Works with integrity; is honest, transparent and you keep your word
* You enjoy being a part of a team and collaborating with others
* A clean driving licence and ability to use Oranga Tamariki vehicles to travel within region


Nōu te rourou | What's in it for you
Oranga Tamariki offer a step-based remuneration package, that offers progression annually for experience through tenure. Annual remuneration for this position starts between $106,416 and $123,466 dependant on experience. We offer a vibrant and supportive team, flexible work options and a genuine commitment to wellbeing. We offer significant training and professional development so that you can thrive and grow. We welcome diversity and are committed to working in an inclusive and respectful way. This is your opportunity to apply your skills and experience to the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi.
To see all the benefits of working for Oranga Tamariki, please visit https://mahi.orangatamariki.govt.nz/working-with-us/employee-benefits/

Me pēhea te tuku tono| How to Apply
Apply online with your CV and Covering Letter. If you are an Oranga Tamariki employee already, please ensure you apply with a log in using your Oranga Tamariki email address.
Please direct any questions about this role to Steffen Gazley (Regional Legal Manager) via email: [e-mail]

Applications Close: Wednesday 28th May 2025

If you are interested in any of our vacancies, please ensure that you make yourself familiar with our code of conduct as it sets out our expectations for our kaimahi and requires you to present at work free from the influences of both drugs and alcohol.