Litigation Associate - Professional Negligence

Wotton Kearney; Wellington, Tauranga; Hybrid; NZD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance contributions

Income protection and life insurance

Wellbeing reimbursements and volunt. e

Job summary

Wotton Kearney is seeking an associate-level lawyer to join its market-leading Professional Negligence group in Wellington or Tauranga. The role focuses on defending professionals in civil claims and disciplinary proceedings with exposure to professional indemnity work.

You will collaborate across teams, receive guidance from partners, work closely with senior lawyers, and build industry relationships while accessing extensive training and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• 3 years’ PQE in civil litigation
• Solid understanding of civil procedure, contract interpretation and negligence claims
• Experience in professional indemnity is helpful
• Proactive, organised and detail-oriented

Responsibilities

• Defend a range of professionals in civil claims and disciplinary proceedings
• Collaborate across teams and with senior lawyers
• Receive guidance from mentors and buddy
• Build industry relationships and participate in training and development

Skills

Civil litigation

Professional indemnity

Client communication

Disciplinary proceedings

Team collaboration

Job description

Current opportunities to join our growing team are featured below.

Litigation Associate - Professional Negligence

• Legal
• Lawyer - Litigation
• New Zealand
• Permanent / Full Time

23/10/2026

• Join a leading insurance & risk law firm
• Collaborative culture
• Flexible work arrangements

The opportunity

We are seeking an associate-level lawyer with 3-7 years’ PQE to join our market-leading team in Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington or Tauranga. You will defend a range of professionals in civil claims and disciplinary proceedings.

Your work will focus on professional indemnity and professional negligence, with exposure to the wider practice.

You’ll also:

• Collaborate across teams
• Receive guidance from your Kaitiaki (Guardian Partner), Senior Mentor and buddy
• Work closely with senior lawyers
• Build industry relationships
• Access extensive training and development

What we’re looking for

• At least 3 years’ PQE in civil litigation
• A solid understanding of civil procedure, contract interpretation and negligence claims
• Professional indemnity experience is helpful, along with an interest in disciplinary work
• A proactive, organised and detail-oriented approach
• Excellent analytical and communication skills
• A positive, can-do attitude and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Confidence working directly with clients

About us

At WK, we solve complex legal problems, challenge ourselves to innovate, and create impact for our people, clients, and communities. We’re Asia Pacific’s leading insurance and risk legal business, and due to growth, we’re expanding our Professional & Financial Risks (PFR) team.

We’re not your typical law firm. We are forward-thinking pioneers, creative strategists and genuine professionals reshaping insurance law. We thrive on collaboration, bold ideas and unwavering support.

Founded in 2002 by David Kearney and Phillip Wotton, we began as a small Sydney practice with two partners, four lawyers, and big aspirations. Today, we are a team of over 1,000 professionals, including 100+ partners, across 14 offices in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Thailand.

We are the trusted firm for many local, global and London Market insurers, brokers and corporates—particularly on complex matters involving:

• Financial lines, including D&O, regulatory investigations and professional indemnity
• Complex property, energy and infrastructure claims
• General liability, including product, property damage and public liability

We also have specialist teams in cyber, privacy and technology, government, healthcare, marine and transport, media and defamation, workplace and safety, and commercial litigation and class actions.

What we have to offer

Wotton Kearney is passionate about creating a supportive environment so that people can achieve their career and personal goals.

Our mentoring programme includes a dedicated Kaitiaki (Guardian Partner) and buddy. Senior lawyers also have the opportunity to mentor our junior lawyers.

How do we help you to grow and develop your career?

• Work on complex, interesting and cutting-edge matters alongside experts in their fields, with exposure to leading local and global clients
• Stay up to date with developments in the legal and insurance industries through internal and external conferences and workshops
• Access leading facilitators who will help you build valuable skills, including communicating with and managing others
• Experience life inside a client’s business through short- and long-term secondments that offer valuable client insights
• Professional association memberships that open doors to industry networks

It matters to us that you feel recognised for what you bring to the team. We make time to unwind and celebrate achievements - big or small, professional or personal.

These are some of the ways we say thanks to our people:

• Health insurance contributions
• Income protection and life insurance
• Wellbeing reimbursements and initiatives
• Birthday, wellness and volunteering leave
• An inclusive, collaborative culture
• Flexible work arrangements, including work from home
• Ongoing investment in your career development
• A generous employee referral program
• Involvement in our Community Footprint Pro Bono & CSR Program
• Fantastic and regular social events throughout the year

If you want to join a high-performing team and build your career as a recognised specialist litigation lawyer, we want to hear from you.