Senior Solicitor / Associate – Litigation & Local Government

Cooney Lees Morgan; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

Parental leave policy (topped-up)

Birthday leave

Discounted health insurance

EAP access

Professional development seminars

Social and wellbeing events

Annual salary reviews

Job summary

Cooney Lees Morgan in Tauranga seeks a Senior Solicitor / Associate to join the Litigation & Local Government team. The role covers resource management, local government and environmental law, advising a diverse client base on planning, consents, governance and regulatory matters.

You will have NZ admission, 5+ years’ PQE, and strong drafting, research and advocacy skills. The firm offers a collaborative environment, flexible development opportunities, plus benefits such as parking and parental

Qualifications

• NZ admitted solicitor with at least 5 years’ PQE.
• Experience in resource management, local government or environmental/public/regulatory law.
• Advocacy experience before councils, hearings, tribunals or courts preferred.
• Strong drafting, research and opinion-writing skills with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Advise local authorities, developers, businesses and private clients on planning and environmental matters.
• Handle governance issues, consent processes and local authority requirements.
• Involve Environment Court proceedings and other regulatory/public-law matters.
• Provide high-quality, practical client advice and maintain strong client relationships.

Skills

NZ admitted solicitor

5+ years' PQE

Resource management

Local government

Environmental law

Public/regulatory law

Advocacy before councils/hearings

Drafting/research/opinion-writing

Job description

Senior Solicitor / Associate – Litigation & Local Government

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a senior lawyer to join our Litigation and Local Government team.

This role offers varied and engaging work across resource management, local government and environmental law. You will advise a broad range of clients, including local authorities, developers, businesses, and private clients, on planning and environmental matters, consent processes, governance issues, and local authority requirements. The role also offers involvement in Environment Court proceedings and other regulatory and public law matters.

We are open to candidates from a range of backgrounds. While resource management experience would be highly valued, we would also welcome applications from lawyers with local government experience who are looking to broaden their practice or move into private practice.

We are a leading law firm based in the Bay of Plenty, delivering quality and pragmatic solutions to clients both locally and nationally. At Cooney Lees Morgan, we attract some of New Zealand’s brightest lawyers by offering high-quality and challenging work in a supportive and collaborative environment.

We would like you to be part of our fantastic team if you have the following skills and experience:

• NZ admitted solicitor with at least 5 years’ PQE, although we are open to considering candidates whose experience level falls outside this range where their background aligns with the role
• Experience in resource management, local government, environmental law, public law, regulatory law or litigation
• Experience advising local authorities, government agencies, developers or corporate clients would be advantageous
• Excellent drafting, research, and opinion-writing skills with strong attention to detail
• Advocacy experience before councils, hearings panels, tribunals or courts would be advantageous
• Sound commercial judgement and a pragmatic, solution-focused approach to client advice
• Strong relationship management skills and a commitment to exceptional client service

In return we can offer you:

• A diverse range of complex and engaging matters
• A supportive firm with a great team culture and rich history
• Free on-site parking
• A generous parental leave policy, including topped-up parental leave for primary carers for up to 26 weeks
• Additional birthday leave
• Discounted health insurance and access to EAP
• Regular professional and personal development seminars
• Regular social and sporting events
• Regular wellbeing workshops and activities
• Annual salary reviews

At Cooney Lees Morgan, our lawyers enjoy the best of both worlds: complex and high-calibre legal work and an exceptional lifestyle in the stunning Bay of Plenty.

See the team in action and some of their recent successes