Senior Solicitor or Associate

Platinum Recruitment; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary + KiwiSaver

Generous Relocation Support

Flexible Work Arrangements

Job summary

Gallaway Cook Allan in Wanaka seeks a Private Clients Senior Solicitor or Associate to join its Wanaka team. You will handle private client work including asset planning, wills, EPAs, and estate administration, collaborating with a supportive, high-performing team.

You will guide junior lawyers and contribute to client service, with strong communication, relationship-building, and the ability to work both autonomously and within a team.

Qualifications

• Specialize in private client law or demonstrate strong interest in developing expertise.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build strong client relationships.
• Engage confidently with clients, colleagues and the business community.
• Able to work collaboratively while maintaining autonomy and meeting deadlines.
• Show initiative, professionalism and commitment to high-quality client service.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and draft Wills for clients.
• Advise on and certify Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs).
• Develop estate and succession planning strategies.
• Play a key role in estate planning and trust administration.
• Assist with property and conveyancing matters.

Skills

Private client law

Communication skills

Relationship building

Autonomous work

Time management

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.

Platinum Recruitment – Queenstown, South Island

Platinum Recruitment are proud to be partnering with Otago Law Firm, Gallaway Cook Allan to recruit a Private Clients Senior Solicitor or Associate to join their Wānaka team.

The Role

This senior role offers a consistent flow of engaging and varied private client work. The work includes working together with individuals, couples, and families to structure their personal affairs and advising clients on all aspects relating to asset planning. In this role, you will build connections by working collaboratively with our clients and colleagues to achieve practical outcomes.

• Prepare and draft Wills for clients.
• Advise on and certify Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs).
• Develop comprehensive estate and succession planning strategies.
• Play a key role in estate planning and trust administration.
• Support clients and their families in navigating complex and sensitive decisions.
• Assist with property and conveyancing matters.

Working closely with Devon Miller from our Dunedin office and surrounded by a cohesive, supportive, and high-performing team, you will also provide guidance to junior lawyers, supporting their development and contributing to the ongoing strength of Gallaway Cook Allan.

About You

• Currently specialise in private client law or have a broader legal practice with a strong interest in developing expertise in this area.
• Demonstrate excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships.
• Engage confidently and effectively with clients, colleagues, and the wider business community.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team while maintaining the ability to operate autonomously.
• Take ownership of your workload and manage deadlines effectively.
• Show initiative, professionalism, and a commitment to delivering high-quality client service.

Gallaway Cook Allan

Gallaway Cook Allan is a large Otago-based full-service law firm with premesis in Wānaka and Dunedin. They act for commercial businesses, private clients, and local and regional government, across the South Island, nationally and internationally.

Their clients say that they trust Gallaway Cook Allan’s ability to get to the point of a matter and then to provide advice that is practical, solution-oriented and represents value-for-money. Their teams say their culture sets GCA apart. They are collaborative, approachable, open to different ways of working, and we value and trust each other to do the right thing. For GCA, it is important to have team members who are genuine about living in Wānaka for the long term and who are highly motivated to develop their practice in the region – why not find out for yourself?

Doing the right thing for each other, their community and the environment is a core part of who Gallaway Cook Allan are. Their impact strategy is built on three pillars: community, environment, and team. Includes actions in areas such as accessibility, pro-bono, community sponsorship and partnerships, sustainability and emissions reduction, wellbeing and of course, a welcoming environment for everyone.

About Wānaka

Nestled between a stunning alpine lake and breathtaking mountain ranges, Wānaka offers an unbeatable lifestyle for those seeking adventure and life-work balance. With world-class skiing, hiking, biking and water activities on your doorstep, it's the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors year-round. Wānaka is an outstanding place to raise a family, with excellent schools, a safe and welcoming community and endless opportunities for children to grow up connected to nature.

The Gallaway Cook Allan team is a busy and thriving hub and has the benefit of being part of a larger dynamic law firm.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary + KiwiSaver
• Southern Cross Health Insurance
• Generous Relocation Support
• Elevated Parental Leave
• More than a new job, Gallaway Cook Allan help you build a life in the Wānaka community.

Requirements

• Applicants must have a valid work visa, permanent residency or NZ citizenship to be considered.
• References and MOJ checks will be completed at final stages.
• Contribute across a broad range of private client legal services, with property/conveyancing experience considered an advantage.

Platinum Recruitment is proud to be a member of Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion and believes in equal opportunities for all. We actively promote diversity and inclusion in all our recruitment processes.