Solicitor/Associate (2 - 5 PQE) Litigation, Wellington

Dentons; Wellington; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Learning & development

Lifestyle leave

Wellness programme

Parental leave

In-house legal advice

Team culture

Job summary

Dentons in Wellington seeks a capable litigation solicitor (2–5 years PQE) to join our Litigation/Disputes Resolution team. You will draft documents, perform legal research, and prepare for mediations, judicial settlement conferences and court appearances, working closely with Kate Rouch and senior professionals.

This role offers a collaborative, supportive environment within an internationally connected firm, with access to sector experts, training, business development opportunities and a

Qualifications

• 2–5 years PQE in litigation

Responsibilities

• Draft documents (pleadings, correspondence, submissions) and conduct legal research
• Engage in discovery and mediation preparation
• Attend mediations, judicial settlement conferences and court appearances
• Collaborate with Kate Rouch and senior barristers on complex matters

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.

Dentons is part of the world’s largest global law firm and a leading firm in the New Zealand market with unparalleled access to not only lawyers but also to sector experts, and training, business development opportunities across the globe.

This means the opportunities are endless for our people. We are an international business but locally run and operated, giving you the best of both worlds.

About this role

We are seeking a capable and motivated litigation solicitor (2 – 5 years PQE) to join our Litigation/Disputes Resolution team. This role offers the opportunity to work alongside highly regarded practitioners in our Wellington office in a collaborative, supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.

This role will work closely withKate Rouch, a highly experienced litigator and advocate who has acted for both public and private sector clients, including Crown entities, registration authorities, insurers, financial service providers and large privately-held companies in a variety of sectors.

Your day-to-day work will involve drafting documents (including correspondence, pleadings, and submissions), legal research, and discovery. You will have the opportunity to work both one-to-one with Kate, and with senior barristers on complex matters. You will prepare for and attend mediations, judicial settlement conferences, and court appearances with Kate.

Kate specialises in complex civil litigation, particularly natural disaster damage litigation, acting in proceedings via insurers, commercial disputes and debt recovery. Kate also acts for several registration authorities in professional disciplinary matters, and assists other clients in responding to complaints before specialist tribunals, including to the Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman and the Human Rights Commission.

Recognised for her leadership within the legal profession, Kate was recently named in NZ Lawyer’s 2025 Future Leaders list.

Your experience/interest will include:

• Mediation and other alternative dispute resolution
• Providing sound advice and developing your advocacy

What do we offer?

This role provides the opportunity to join a supportive team where you will gain valuable experience from day one. Your Partner will help you develop your technical skills and your business acumen and work with you to achieve your career goals.

We are a future-focussed firm and that ethos extends to our people too. At Dentons we can offer you top quality work and an outstanding firm culture.

We offer competitive remuneration along with benefits that will make a positive difference to your life:

• learning and development are key so we invest meaningfully in our people
• lifestyle leave - we recognise that people have busy lives so there is the opportunity to buy extra leave each year
• dedicated wellness programme
• paid parental leave of 26 weeks/5 weeks for non-primary caregiver
• access to free in-house legal advice
• we dress for our day and our role
• regular social events, including Friday Fives, sporting and charity events, annual balls, family Christmas parties, and an end of year function.
• an extra paid holiday for Dentons Kensington Swan Day

Diversity and inclusion

Dentons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an environment where everyone respects and supports each other.

We believe inclusion drives diversity and want to foster an environment where our people thrive through diversity of thought and shared experience.

We encourage applications irrespective of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability.