Legal Team Manager PAL2

Public Defence Service - New Zealand; Auckland; On-site; NZD 113,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

22 days holiday leave

Flexible work hours

Online professional development portal

Access to inclusive networks

Job summary

Public Defence Service in Waitakere seeks an experienced criminal litigator to lead the legal team. The role focuses on high-quality defence for legally aided clients, managing a varied criminal caseload, and mentoring junior lawyers, with opportunities to appear in High Court and Court of Appeals as needed.

You will join a collaborative and supportive environment within Te Tāhū o te Ture, the Ministry of Justice, and contribute to strengthening access to justice in New Zealand.

Qualifications

• PAL 2 level listing and NZ practicing certificate.
• Proven credibility with judges, peers and others in the legal community.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative team.
• Enjoy sharing legal expertise and managing a small team of lawyers.
• Empathy and ability to relate to a wide range of people.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high quality defence representation to legally aided clients.
• Manage a varied caseload of criminal matters, including high profile cases.
• Appear in High Court and Court of Appeals when required.
• Manage, mentor and supervise junior lawyers.

Skills

PAL 2 level

NZ practicing certificate

Credibility with judges and peers

Team leadership

Mentoring junior lawyers

Empathy and people skills

Education

New Zealand legal practicing certificate

Job description

Job Description

Public Defence Service Waitakere

Legal Team Manager - PAL 2

Are you an experienced criminal litigator? Do you have team management experience? Are you looking for a challenge along with a varied caseload? Do you enjoy working in a collaborative and supportive environment and relish the opportunity to help more junior lawyers progress their careers? This is a truly exciting opportunity.

Role

The Public Defence Service (PDS) is looking for a motivated and experienced criminal litigator, with people management experience, to take up the role of Legal team Manager at our busy Waitakere office. You will:

• Deliver high quality defence representation to legally aided clients.
• Manage a varied caseload of criminal matters, including high profile cases,
• Appear on High court and court of appeals when required,
• Manage, mentor and supervise junior lawyers.

He Pūkenga Tou/Skills And Experience

To be successful you must be passionate about criminal justice issues and:

• have a PAL 2 level listing and be qualified to practice law in New Zealand.
• have proven credibility with judges, peers and others in the legal community.
• be comfortable to be part of a team who support and rely on one-another.
• enjoy sharing legal expertise, exchanging ideas and managing a small team of lawyers.
• have empathy and the ability to relate to a wide range of people.

This is a challenging but truly satisfying role.

Mō Mātou/About Us

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

The PDS is part of the Ministry of Justice and the wider justice sector. The Ministry provides centralised business services, infrastructure, and support to the work of the PDS.

The Public Defence Service (PDS) provides high-quality legal advice and representation in a full range of criminal cases. Aimed at helping people access justice, the PDS promotes the values of respect, integrity, service and the delivery of excellent service to its clients.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities, and religions.

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here

Benefits

We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:

• 22 days holiday leave
• flexible work hours where possible
• an online professional development portal
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here.

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

Utu ā-tau/Salary

The appointing salary range for this role is $112,766 to $145,388 (PAL2) - while the appointing salary will be based on skills and experience, we are willing to pay higher in the band to attract strong candidates into this role.

Applications close on Thursday 08 October

If you have any questions, please contact [e-mail] and include "MOJ/1949704" (job number) in your subject line.