Senior Lawyer PAL3

NZ Ministry of Justice; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4.4 weeks holiday leave

Flexible work hours

Inclusive networks

Job summary

The Public Defence Service in Hamilton, part of the NZ Ministry of Justice, seeks a Senior Lawyer to deliver high-quality defence for legally aided clients and manage a varied criminal caseload. You will appear in High Court when required and mentor junior lawyers in a collaborative team environment.

Applicants must hold a PAL3 listing and be qualified to practice law in New Zealand, with credibility in the legal community and empathy for diverse clients.

Qualifications

• Must have PAL3 listing and be qualified to practice law in New Zealand.
• Proven credibility with judges, peers and others in the legal community.
• Team player who supports and relies on colleagues.
• Enjoy sharing legal expertise and brainstorming ideas.
• Empathy and ability to relate to a wide range of people.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality defence representation to legally aided clients.
• Manage a varied caseload of criminal matters, including high-profile cases.
• Appear in High Court and Court of Appeal when required.
• Train, mentor and supervise junior lawyers.

Skills

Criminal litigation

Senior lawyer

Mentoring juniors

Education

Admitted NZ lawyer

Job description

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NZ Ministry of Justice – Hamilton, North Island

Looking for a challenge along with a varied caseload? Enjoy working in a collaborative and supportive environment? Relish the opportunity to help more junior lawyers progress their careers? This is a truly exciting opportunity.

The Public Defence Service (PDS) is looking for a motivated and experienced criminal litigator to take up the role of Senior Lawyer at our Hamilton office. Reporting to the Office Public Defender you will:

• Deliver high quality defence representation to legally aided clients.
• Manage a varied caseload of criminal matters, including high profile cases.
• Appear on High court and court of appeals when required.
• Train, mentor and supervise junior lawyers.

To be successful you must be passionate about criminal justice issues and:

• Have a PAL3 level listing and be qualified to practice law in New Zealand
• have proven credibility with judges, peers and others in the legal community.
• be comfortable to be part of a team who support and rely on one-another.
• enjoy sharing legal expertise, exchanging ideas and brainstorming.
• have empathy and the ability to relate to a wide range of people.

This is a challenging but truly satisfying role and our lawyers love what they do.

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

The PDS is part of the Ministry of Justice and the wider justice sector. The Ministry provides centralised business services, infrastructure, and support to the work of the PDS.

The Public Defence Service (PDS) provides high-quality legal advice and representation in a full range of criminal cases. Aimed at helping people access justice, the PDS promotes the values of respect, integrity, service and the delivery of excellent service to its clients.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.

We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:

• 4.4 weeks holiday leave
• flexible work hours where possible
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here.

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

The remuneration band for this role is (PAL3) $119,572 and $164,287 while the appointing salary will be based on skills and experience, we are willing to pay higher in the band to attract strong candidates into this role.