Lead Solicitor

Environmental Protection Authority; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 148,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Three extra leave days between Xmas &/

Job summary

The Environmental Protection Authority in Wellington is seeking a Lead Solicitor to shape, lead, and manage a high‑performing in‑house legal function. You will oversee a team of solicitors and senior solicitors while providing expert legal advice and support.

This permanent, full‑time role is hybrid with some in‑office work. The right candidate has 10+ years PQE, senior public or private practice experience, and strong leadership, analytical, and strategic problem‑solving skills to deliver

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience PQE as a lawyer.
• Seasoned professional experience in the public sector, private practice or as in-house advisor.
• Quick learner and adaptable.
• Proven background in producing quality legal services, helpful to have experience in environmental, public and/or commercial law.
• Experience litigating or with litigation management is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead Solicitor is a member of the Legal leadership team, shaping, leading, and managing a high performing in-house legal function.
• Manages a team of solicitors and senior solicitors while providing expert legal advice and support.
• Deliver timely, practical, solutions-focused legal guidance to the EPA.

Skills

Legal expertise

Leadership

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Litigation management

Education

Qualified lawyer (PQE 10+ years)

Job description

$147,688 - $221,532 a year

Full time, Permanent

Hybrid

Our kaupapa is about making the right decisions based on evidence, mātauranga, and science. At the EPA, we encourage big ideas and bold goals.

What we achieve today helps shape the future of New Zealand for generations to come.

The Legal Group supports the EPA in delivering its legal and regulatory obligations and strategic direction. It provides specialist advice to identify and manage legal risk and promote excellent regulatory practice.

About the role | Mō te tūnga

This role is based in our Wellington office. While we're able to consider work-from-home arrangements, this role is not designed for full-time remote working.

The Lead Solicitor is a member of the Legal leadership team, shaping, leading, and managing a high performing in-house legal function. The Lead Solicitor manages a team of solicitors and senior solicitors while providing expert legal advice and support.

About you | Mōhou ake

We are looking for someone with a range of skills and experience – if you have some or all of the below, we would love to hear from you.

• 10+ years’ experience PQE as a lawyer
• Seasoned professional experience in the public sector, private practice or as in-house advisor.
• Quick learner and adaptable
• Proven background in producing quality legal services, helpful to have experience in environmental, public and/or commercial law.
• Experience litigating or with litigation management is desirable.
• Demonstrated leadership and people management and operational management skills
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to provide accurate, timely, practical, solutions-focused legal advice
• Strong problem-solving skills including the ability to think strategically and drive high performance

• three additional paid leave days between Christmas and New Years in addition to four weeks’ annual leave
• $400 non-taxable payment to help you set up working at home
• an annual paid EPA Environment Day to support the community with environmental initiatives
• in-house Māori cultural capability building programme
• learning opportunities, including the annual EPA Symposium
• active and lively social club, and diverse groups and support networks
• EPA awards recognising individual and team effort

Salary range

$147,688 - $221,532 per annum (midpoint $184,610).

This is the full salary range of the band, from 80% - 120%. Appointments will generally be made at or below the midpoint of this range, depending on skills and experience.

Monday 5pm, 14 September 2026

We will review applications as they are submitted and may begin our selection process prior to the end of the application stage.