Senior Associate -Litigation

Bell Gully; Auckland; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Parental leave

Relocation assistance

Community programs

Flexible work practices

Health insurance subsidy

Wellbeing activities

Sports teams

Annual ball

Team events

Department weekends away

Job summary

Bell Gully in Auckland, New Zealand, seeks a senior litigation lawyer with 7+ years PQE to lead major commercial and civil disputes, from advisory through trial and appeal, while building trusted client relationships and mentoring junior lawyers.

You will work closely with Partners on strategy and complex analysis in a top-tier practice, with a culture that supports development, relocation to NZ bar, flexible work, health benefits and team events.

Qualifications

• 7+ years PQE, including private practice and/or in-house.
• Lead major commercial and civil litigation matters, from advisory through to trial and appeal.
• Build strong client relationships and contribute to business development.
• Manage large-scale disputes across departments.
• Work with Partners on strategy, analysis, and team leadership.
• Deep understanding of court procedure and evidence, with strong advocacy and drafting.
• Mentor and supervise junior team members.
• Strategic thinking and strong commercial judgement.
• Ability to work collaboratively and deliver excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead major commercial and civil litigation matters from advisory to trial and appeal.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships and contribute to business development.
• Manage large scale disputes across departments in collaboration with Partners.
• Provide strategic legal analysis and team leadership throughout matters.
• Mentor junior team members and ensure high-quality advocacy and drafting.

Skills

Litigation leadership

Strategic thinking

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Advocacy skills

Commercial judgement

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Our practice encompasses a range of fields, including commercial and contract disputes, class actions, financial regulation, insurance, competition law, and construction law.

We act on some of the most complex, high profile and strategically significant disputes in the country. Our litigation practice has won Benchmark Litigation's New Zealand Litigation Firm of the Year award several years, and both Chambers Asia Pacific and The Legal 500 Asia Pacific rank us in the top tier, Band 1, for litigation. This is a unique opportunity to operate at the top end of the market.

We are committed to developing our people to achieve their best and are looking for like-minded aspirational people.

Experience and qualifications.

• 7+ years PQE, including private practice and/or in-house.
• Lead major commercial and civil litigation matters, from advisory through to trial and appeal.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with clients and contribute to business development initiatives.
• Manage large scale disputes across departments.
• Work closely with Partners on strategy, complex legal analysis, and team leadership.
• Deep understanding of court procedure and evidence, with strong advocacy and drafting skills.
• Mentor and supervise junior team members.
• Ability to work collaboratively and commitment to delivering excellence.
• Strategic thinking and sound commercial judgement.

Culture and benefits

In addition to a strong team culture, we offer a range of benefits and initiatives to support our people. These include:

• Professional development opportunities, including through a market leading development programme.
• Comprehensive parental leave package.
• Support to relocate /requalify to be admitted to the New Zealand bar.
• Community support programmes.
• Flexible work practices.
• An annual subsidy for health insurance and a range of wellbeing activities; and
• Sports teams, an annual ball, regular team events and department weekends away.