Senior Associate Commercial

Stellar Recruitment; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Stellar Recruitment in Auckland is seeking a senior private-practice lawyer who relishes breadth over pure specialization. You will manage matters from instruction to completion, alongside mortgagee sale work, property, commercial, trusts and private client matters.

The role offers autonomy to run own files, build long‑standing client relationships, mentor junior lawyers, and influence the firm’s future direction. Competitive remuneration will reflect seniority and contribution.

Qualifications

• 5+ years PQE gained within New Zealand private practice.
• Experience handling mortgagee sale matters.
• Strong grounding across property and commercial law.
• Confidence managing files independently.
• Excellent client relationship and communication skills.
• A practical, commercially minded approach.
• The ability to work across a varied practice rather than a highly specialised caseload.

Responsibilities

• Advising lenders and stakeholders on mortgagee sales.
• Property acquisitions, disposals, leasing, and development matters.
• Commercial contracts and business transactions.
• Trusts, asset planning, and private client work.
• General legal advisory services for long-standing clients.
• Mentoring junior lawyers where appropriate.
• Contributing to client development and practice growth.

Skills

Client relationships

Communication

Independent work

Private practice

Job description

About the Role

This is a senior role is suited to a lawyer who enjoys the breadth of private practice and values being more than just a technical specialist.

You’ll work closely with business owners, property investors, lenders, private clients, and developers, managing matters from initial instructions through to completion. The practice includes mortgagee sale work as a core component, alongside a mix of property, commercial, trust, private client, and general advisory matters.

The role offers the freedom to manage your own files, build lasting client relationships, and play an active part in the future direction of the practice.

Key Work

• Advising lenders and stakeholders on mortgagee sales
• Property acquisitions, disposals, leasing, and development matters
• Commercial contracts and business transactions
• Trusts, asset planning, and private client work
• General legal advisory services for long-standing clients
• Mentoring junior lawyers where appropriate
• Contributing to client development and practice growth

What You’ll Gain

• A genuinely broad practice rather than a narrow specialist role
• Significant client contact and ownership of relationships
• The ability to make decisions without layers of management
• Stable, established work with a loyal client base
• Flexibility and trust in how you manage your workload
• A clear path toward a leadership position for the right person
• Competitive remuneration reflecting seniority and contribution

About You

• 5+ years PQE gained within New Zealand private practice
• Experience handling mortgagee sale matters
• Strong grounding across property and commercial law
• Confidence managing files independently
• Excellent client relationship and communication skills
• A practical, commercially minded approach
• The ability to work across a varied practice rather than a highly specialised caseload

Culture

A collegial & down-to-earth team where senior lawyers are trusted to manage their practice, contribute ideas & build lasting client relationships. The environment suits someone who values autonomy, accessibility & working closely with clients rather than operating within a heavily layered structure.

About the Firm

This established Auckland practice offers the breadth of work often associated with a larger platform while maintaining the accessibility & flexibility of a boutique environment. Lawyers enjoy direct client engagement, meaningful responsibility & the opportunity to become an integral part of the firm's long-term future.