Resource Management Associate

Fluid Recruitment; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Saunders & Co, a full-service Christchurch firm with a CBD office and three suburban branches, is seeking an Associate-level Resource Management lawyer to join a dedicated team advising on environmental and planning issues.

You will work on resource consents, plan changes, submissions, environmental due diligence, and advocacy in hearings, with mentorship from partners Chris Fowler and Margo Perpick, and support for junior lawyers.

Responsibilities

• Advise on environmental and planning issues across a range of matters
• Manage resource consents, private plan changes, and environmental approvals
• Prepare submissions on plans, policy statements, and legislation
• Conduct environmental due diligence including zoning and land use
• Represent clients in mediations, hearings, and courts
• Advise on enforcement actions, including abatement notices and prosecutions
• Mentor junior team members and assist with professional development

Skills

Resource Management law

Environmental law

Advocacy

Job description

Fluid Legal Recruitment are delighted to be partnering with Saunders & Co, as we undertake a search for an Associate-level Resource Management lawyer to work alongside a wonderful and dedicated team.

Saunders & Co are a full-service Christchurch firm with both a CBD office and three suburban branches where they service a broad range of clients, ranging from private individuals and families through to large companies, statutory bodies and local iwi.

About this role

This is a unique opportunity for an Associate-level Resource Management lawyer to advise on a wide range of environmental and planning issues. The work is varied, technically interesting, and often on significant projects.

Key areas of work include:

• Resource consents, private plan changes, and environmental approvals
• Submissions on plans, policy statements, and legislation
• Environmental due diligence (including zoning and land use considerations)
• Mediations and negotiated outcomes on environmental disputes
• Advocacy in Council hearings and appearances before the Environment Court and High Court
• Responding to enforcement action, including abatement notices and prosecutions
• Advising on development contributions and regulatory strategy

You’ll work with a diverse client base including property developers, forestry and primary sector clients, retirement village operators, major retailers, and private landowners.

There will be hands‑on mentorship and guidance from two highly respected Resource Management and Environmental law partners, Chris Fowler and Margo Perpick. The successful candidate would also assist the junior members of the team with their professional development.

What's on Offer

This is a rare chance in the Christchurch Resource Management space to work closely alongside two highly experienced environmental lawyers on complex matters. You’ll have the opportunity to develop advocacy experience and client-facing skills whilst operating in a supportive, down-to‑earth private practice with very low staff turnover and a strong reputation in the market

Whilst this role will suit an ambitious candidate with a strong work‑ethic, the firm is committed to ensuring staff experience achievable revenue targets and billable hours in support of a healthy work‑life balance.

Finally, you can expect a modern, warm and friendly culture with an open‑door policy to the partners and management as well as a generous salary and benefits package dependent on experience.