Senior Solicitor Or Associate | Private Client

Platinum Recruitment; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver

Health Insurance

Relocation Support

Parental Leave

Lifestyle in Wanaka

Job summary

Gallaway Cook Allan seeks a Senior Private Client Solicitor or Associate to join their Wanaka team. The role focuses on private client work with a significant conveyancing component, offering variety in estate planning, trusts, and property transactions.

You will work closely with the Dunedin and Wanaka teams, guiding junior lawyers and contributing to the firm’s growth in the region. Applicants should have private client, property or conveyancing experience and a passion for client service.

Qualifications

• Experience in private client law, property law or conveyancing with a track record of client-focused advice.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build strong relationships.
• Capable of working autonomously while collaborating with the team.
• Ability to manage workload and meet deadlines.
• Proactive, professional, and committed to high-quality client service.

Responsibilities

• 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 families in navigating complex and sensitive decisions.
• Act on property and conveyancing matters including sales, purchases, subdivisions, refinancing and ownership structures.

Skills

Client relationships

Communication skills

Teamwork

Autonomy

Deadline management

Job description

Senior Solicitor or Associate | Private Client

Publication Date 12 / 10 / 2026 Location Wanaka Type Permanent / Full Time Sector Legal
Solicitor 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. While this is principally a private client role, a significant portion of the practice involves conveyancing and property transactions, making it an excellent opportunity for either a private client lawyer looking to broaden their property experience or a conveyancing lawyer seeking greater variety in their work.

• 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.
• Act on property and conveyancing matters including sales, purchases, subdivisions, refinancing and ownership structures.

Working closely with Devon Miller from the 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:

• Experience in private client law, property law or conveyancing law who enjoys building strong client relationships and providing practical, solution-focused advice.
• 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.