Restructuring & Insolvency Lawyer

Russell McVeagh; Auckland; On-site; NZD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing support

Flexible working

Family support

Public transport benefit

Meals when you need it

Additional annual leave

Job summary

Russell McVeagh is seeking a lawyer in Auckland with 1–4 years’ experience focusing on restructuring and insolvency, including potential cross-border matters. You will work on complex matters for banks, insolvency practitioners, borrowers and sponsors, engaging with courts and collaborating with several practice groups.

The successful candidate will bring a legal qualification, a strong CV, and an excellent command of written and verbal communication, plus the ability to think critically and

Qualifications

• A legal qualification with 1–4 years of experience in restructuring and insolvency.
• CV and academic transcript are essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and think critically.
• Ability to build connections and work collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Support a wide range of domestic and cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters.
• Engage with courts and collaborate with multiple practice groups within Russell McVeagh.
• Provide high-quality legal work for both local and international clients in the restructuring space.
• Contribute to a positive, high-achieving firm culture and ongoing career development.

Skills

Legal qualification

Analytical skills

Verbal & written communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Law degree

Academic transcript

Job description

Russell McVeagh is New Zealand's premier law firm committed to operating at the cutting edge of legal practice. Our award-winning team of lawyers are internationally recognised for their thought leadership, depth of experience and ability to translate complex legal issues into client success stories. We have established offices in Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau and Wellington | Te Whanganui-a-Tara, and a new office in Queenstown | Tāhuna.

Our values of Respect | Manaaki, Curiosity | Māhirahira, Excellence | Whai hiranga and Tenacity | Whakapau kaha reflect who we are and how we work together.

About the role

Our Auckland litigation team has an exciting opportunity for a lawyer with 1-4 years' experience to join a team with a focus on a wide variety of complex domestic and cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters. Candidates could have a background in either litigation, banking or corporate advisory, with some experience in restructuring and insolvency matters.

Our dedicated national restructuring and insolvency practice, led by Matthew Kersey and Alex MacDuff, advise on a full range of restructuring and insolvency matters (both domestic and cross-border), including workouts and turnarounds, formal insolvencies, enforcement, distressed refinancings and M&A, and claims against directors, auditors and other stakeholders. The team also handles a wide range of commercial disputes.

You will get exposure to interesting work for our domestic and international client base of financial institutions (banks and credit funds), insolvency practitioners, corporate borrowers, sponsors, directors and international law firms. You will engage with the court and work alongside a range of practice groups within Russell McVeagh. You will learn from the best in a high-achieving team and a firm that is committed to developing your career and fostering a positive work environment.

Our team is ranked as a tier 1 restructuring and insolvency practice in all major legal directories, and our senior lawyers are ranked across those directories. Clients say:

"The Russell McVeagh team are exceptional and our preferred in the market for restructuring work - they are all extremely responsive and results orientated."

- The Legal 500 (Asia-Pacific 2025 guide), client feedback

About you

If you are looking for an opportunity to work within a supportive, ambitious and energetic team and would like to join an award-winning full-service firm, we would like to hear from you.

The successful candidate will have:

• A legal qualification with 1-4 years of experience with a desire to focus on restructuring and insolvency.
• A high quality CV and academic transcript.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and think critically.
• Ability to build connections and work collaboratively.

We offer a range of benefits designed to support our people to perform at their best:

• Wellbeing support – An annual allowance to invest in what matters most to you, alongside access to confidential counselling services and a range of wellbeing resources.
• Flexible working – Support to work your way, including a home office allowance to help set you up for success wherever you work.
• Family support – Generous parental leave and structured support to help you transition into and out of parenthood with confidence.
• Making life easier – Public transport benefit through our employee platform, plus late-night travel support and meals when you need it.
• Time off, your way – The flexibility to swap public holidays to suit your cultural celebration preferences, and the option to purchase up to five additional days of annual leave.
• Tools to thrive – High-quality, firm-provided technology, including a mobile and plan, so you can stay connected and do your best work.