Family Lawyer | Associate or Senior Associate

tompkinswake; Hamilton; Hybrid; NZD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Clear progression pathways

Mentoring from experienced lawyers

Multi-office team

Job summary

Tompkins Wake is expanding its Family Law team in Hamilton, with options to work from Auckland, Tauranga or Rotorua. This role offers hybrid working, exposure to complex matters, and an opportunity to shape your practice with senior support and flexibility.

You’ll handle a mix of parenting disputes, relationship property, family violence matters, and related applications, while mentoring junior lawyers and building strong client relationships in a down-to-earth team.

Qualifications

• 3–8 years’ PQE with experience (or strong interest) in family law
• Solid grounding in relationship property, care of children, or litigation
• Strong communication, drafting, and advocacy skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Empathetic, calm approach when dealing with clients

Responsibilities

• Manage a mix of family law matters including parenting disputes and relationship property
• Contribute to litigation and dispute resolution, appearing in court where required
• Mentor junior lawyers as you grow within the team
• Support development pathways and maintain strong client relationships
• Work with a connected team across multiple offices in Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga, or Rotorua

Skills

3–8 PQE

Family law

Relationship property

Independent work

Team collaboration

Advocacy skills

Calm empathetic approach

Job description

Family Lawyer (3–8 PQE) – Flexible Location | Hybrid Working

Do meaningful family law work—without compromising how you want to work.

We’re growing our Family Law team at Tompkins Wake and are looking for additional lawyers (Senior Solicitor or Associate level) to join us.

While our preference is to be based in Hamilton, we’re open to candidates working from any of our offices (Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga or Rotorua), with hybrid working options available.

The Opportunity

You’ll work alongside experienced specialists on a wide range of meaningful and often complex family law matters, with the support and flexibility to shape your practice in a way that aligns with your experience and career goals.

This is a role where you can take real ownership of your work, build strong client relationships and grow your expertise in a supportive, down to earth team.

Your work will include a mix of:

• Care of Children and parenting disputes
• Relationship property matters
• Family violence and protection orders
• PPPR Act applications
• Dissolution and spousal maintenance
• Contracting out agreements
• Trust and estate disputes

Depending on your experience, you’ll manage files with appropriate support, contribute to litigation and dispute resolution, appear in court and support and mentor junior lawyers as you grow.

What We’re Looking For

• 3–8 years’ PQE with experience (or strong interest) in family law
• Solid grounding in relationship property, care of children, or litigation
• Confidence managing files and working both independently and as part of a team
• Strong communication, drafting, and advocacy skills
• A calm, empathetic approach when working with clients
• A genuine interest in developing your career in family law

At Tompkins Wake, you’ll find the balance many lawyers are looking for. This being high quality and meaningful work, real responsibility and client exposure, a collaborative, approachable team culture and flexibility in how and where you work.

We offer:

• Competitive salary aligned with experience
• Clear development and progression pathways
• Mentoring from experienced practitioners
• A connected team across all four offices

Tompkins Wake is a national law firm with offices in Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga and Rotorua. We combine the capability of a large firm with the connection and agility of a regional one, giving our people the opportunity to do great work, while building careers that work for them.

Our Commitment

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Our Rainbow Tick certification and participation in the NZLS Gender Equality Charter reflect our belief that different perspectives make us stronger.