Solicitor – Litigation and Local Government

Cooney Lees Morgan; Tauranga; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

Generous parental leave

Discounted health insurance

Regular professional development seminars

Annual salary reviews

Job summary

Cooney Lees Morgan in Tauranga is seeking a Solicitor for Litigation and Local Government to advise clients on various planning and environmental matters as well as to manage civil litigation cases.

The ideal candidate will be an NZ admitted solicitor with a minimum of 2 years’ PQE. Responsibilities include advising on consent processes and local authority requirements, alongside potential involvement in Environment Court matters.

Benefits include a supportive firm culture, generous parental leave, free on-site parking, and regular professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• NZ admitted solicitor with at least 2 years’ PQE.
• Experience in resource management or local government is advantageous.
• Excellent research and attention to detail required.

Responsibilities

• Advise clients on planning and environmental matters.
• Handle consent processes and local authority requirements.
• Involve in Environment Court matters and civil litigation.

Skills

NZ admitted solicitor with at least 2 years’ PQE

Excellent research and opinion-writing skills

Advocacy experience at Council level

Problem solving and logical thinking

Networking skills with clients

Job description

Solicitor – Litigation and Local Government

This role offers varied and engaging resource management and local government work, including advising clients on planning and environmental matters, consent processes, local authority requirements, and involvement in Environment Court matters. It also includes exposure to a wide range of civil litigation.

Qualifications

• NZ admitted solicitor with at least 2 years’ PQE
• Experience in resource management, local government or regulatory prosecutions would be advantageous
• Excellent research and opinion‑writing skills with attention to detail
• Advocacy experience at Council level and in the Environment Court (advantageous but not essential)
• A pragmatic problem solver and logical thinker with a solution‑focused approach to providing advice
• An understanding of the importance of client relationships
• A strength for networking with clients and potential referrers

Benefits

• 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