Junior Lawyer/Law Clerk

Clean Break | Relationship Property Lawyers; Nelson; On-site; NZD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A values-driven law firm in Nelson seeks a Junior Lawyer/Law Clerk to support clients through separations with kindness and excellence. This role involves legal research, drafting, and client interactions. Ideal candidates hold a law degree and have between 0-1 years PQE. Join a supportive team focused on high standards and professional growth.

Benefits

Extra week of paid leave

Flexible hours

Professional development plan

Qualifications

• Graduate with admission to the bar in New Zealand.
• 0–1 years’ PQE; family law background preferred but not required.
• Experience in a client-facing role is welcome.

Responsibilities

• Attend client meetings.
• Conduct legal research for advice.
• Draft agreements in simple language.

Skills

Compassionate communication

Attention to detail

Ability to simplify complex ideas

Education

Law degree

Job description

Be part of building a different kind of law firm – one with heart, high standards and start-up energy.

Role Summary

At Clean Break, we help people navigate one of life’s hardest transitions – separations -with kindness, clarity, and respect. As ourJunior Lawyer/Law Clerk, you’ll be a key part in making sure the advice we give to our clients is accurate, easily understood and doesn't inflame any delicate situations. You'll be empowering people to make decisions they continue to feel good about in the years to come.

We’re looking for a junior lawyer (graduate – 1 year PQE) who wants to grow fast, be challenged, and help build something new. If you’re ready to hold yourself to high standards, learn quickly, and contribute to a values-driven practice, this could be the role for you.

Start date: January 2026 (unless an earlier date is agreed).

What You’ll Do

From the start, you’ll:

• Attend client meetings
• Carry out legal research to support advice and strategy
• Draft agreements and letters in simple, human language
• Assist in creating content (social posts, articles, resources) that turns complex concepts into simple tools
• Keep (electronic) files, correspondence, and timelines organised
• Reflect our values in every conversation and every piece of advice

As you become more experienced, you’ll also:

• Deepen your expertise in relationship property law and trauma-informed practice
• Take on greater responsibility for managing client matters, with support
• Contribute ideas and energy to how we grow and improve – your voice will shape our systems, culture, and client experience
• Step into opportunities earlier than you might in a larger, traditional firm

What You’ll Bring

• A law degree and admission to the bar in New Zealand (or your admission and profs in progress if you’re a fresh graduate)
• Between 0–1 years’ PQE. A background in family law or relationship property is welcome, but not required
• Strong, compassionate communication skills – you can make the complex feel simple, and the painful feel a little lighter
• Attention to detail, matched with empathy and humility
• A basic understanding of trauma, grief and how this affects us
• Experience in a client-facing role (legal, hospitality, admin - all welcome)
• A willingness to be intellectually stretched, to work to very high standards, and to grow quickly
• Comfort with modern tools (we’re paper-light and tech-friendly)
• An interest to live and work in Nelson - a beautiful city with fantastic lifestyle opportunities
• Above all, a heart for people and the belief that law can be a place of kindnessandexcellence

What We Offer

• The energy of afast-growing start-upwhere your role and career can expand quickly
• A trauma-informed, values-driven workplace that puts people first
• Very high professional standards, with close mentoring and feedback, and a comprehensive professional development plan, to help you grow into afantastic lawyer
• Direct guidance fromSarah Moon, our founder – you’ll work closely with her, and she’ll challenge and support you to grow
• An extra week of paid leave each year (this work is intense, and rest matters)
• Time-in-lieu for overtime worked
• Reasonable flexibility in your hours (client demands permitting) and the potential for hybrid work after 3 months. We would be open to less than full-time hours for the right person.
• You'll be the third member of our team, ensuring your voice and presence truly matters as we build Clean Break into something beautiful
• A calm, plant-filled office in Nelson – a place where we work hard, but also feel good coming to everyday
• A culture built around our three values:help, never hurt; excel and improve; find the joy

About Clean Break

Clean Break is not your average law firm. We launched in September 2024, and we’re growing quickly. Our focus is helping people separate with dignity, and our approach is human before it is legal.

The firm was founded bySarah Moon, a lawyer who began her career in large national law firms (Bell Gully, Duncan Cotterill) before choosing a different path. In 2016, Sarah moved to Nelson for a better work/life balance – where she could do interesting, challenging work during the week, while still enjoying her evenings and weekends. She has never looked back since.

Sarah leads Clean Break with a balance of empathy and excellence. She has high standards and will expect the same from you – but she’ll also give you the mentoring, feedback, and encouragement to meet them. This is a place where you will be supported to become an outstanding lawyer.

Joining now means being part of the early team shaping something new in family law. We have a "start-up culture" vs the normal law firm culture. We’re building, learning, and growing every day – and we’d love you to grow with us.

How to Apply

Send us a short CV and cover letter telling us who you are, why this role resonates with you and why we should hire you to be 33% of the Clean Break team. We are familiar with AI outputs, so take care with the use of those tools. Above all, be yourself. We are a small team so a cultural fit is essential.

We expect there to be a high level of interest in this role. Applications will be reviewed in batches as they come in, and we may close the recruitment process early if we find the right person.

Find out more about Clean Break

• www.cleanbreak.co.nz
• Connect with Sarah Moon on LinkedIn @sarahmoonnz
• Instagram: @cleanbreaknz
• Facebook: @cleanbreaklawnz
• LinkedIn: @clean-break-nz