Solicitor - Property

Duncan Cotterill; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct mentoring

Varied practice exposure

Support of national firm

Job summary

Duncan Cotterill in Queenstown is seeking a motivated lawyer with around one year’s experience to join our Queenstown team. You’ll work closely with partners and senior lawyers across property, commercial, finance and private client matters.

This role offers mentoring, exposure to quality clients early in your career, and the opportunity to develop core legal skills while serving Queenstown’s active property, investment and private client market.

Qualifications

• Around one year’s PQE with exposure to property, commercial, finance or private client work.
• Interest in developing your career in these areas of law.
• Strong drafting skills and attention to detail.
• Practical, client‑focused approach and willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

• Assist with residential and commercial property matters, including sales, purchases, leasing, and development.
• Support commercial and property finance transactions, including refinancings and security arrangements.
• Assist with private client matters such as trusts and estate planning.
• Research legal issues, draft documents, and prepare practical advice for clients.
• Learn directly from partners and senior lawyers while collaborating with colleagues in Queenstown and across the firm.

Skills

Property law

Commercial law

Finance law

Private client

Drafting skills

Client relationship 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.

Duncan Cotterill – Queenstown, South Island

We are looking for a motivated lawyer with around one year’s experience to join Duncan Cotterill’s Queenstown team. This role would suit someone with experience or a genuine interest in property, commercial, finance and private client work, who is looking for strong mentoring, direct learning opportunities and exposure to quality clients from an early stage.

Working closely with partners and senior lawyers, you will be part of a well-regarded local team with the backing of a national firm. The team has a broad practice spanning property, commercial, construction, development, financing, trusts and private client matters.

This is a great opportunity to develop your technical skills, confidence and client-facing capability in a supportive environment. You’ll get variety, hands-on experience and the chance to contribute to meaningful work across Queenstown’s active property, investment and private client market.

What you’ll be doing:

• Assisting with residential and commercial property matters, including sales and purchases, leasing, subdivisions and development work
• Supporting commercial and property finance transactions, including refinancings, security arrangements and property-backed lending
• Assisting with private client matters such as trusts, estate planning and asset structuring
• Researching legal issues, drafting documents and helping prepare practical advice for clients
• Learning directly from partners and senior lawyers while working collaboratively with colleagues in Queenstown and across the wider firm

What we’re looking for:

• Around one year’s PQE, ideally with some exposure to property, commercial, finance or private client work
• A genuine interest in developing your career in these areas of law
• Good drafting skills, attention to detail and a willingness to keep learning
• A practical, client‑focused approach and confidence asking good questions
• A positive, collaborative attitude and interest in being part of the Queenstown legal and business community

Why Duncan Cotterill?

• Direct mentoring from approachable partners and senior lawyers
• The chance to develop strong foundations across several complementary practice areas
• A friendly, inclusive and social team culture
• Quality work, genuine variety and the support of a national firm while building your career in Queenstown

Duncan Cotterill is one of New Zealand’s largest law firms, with six offices nationwide. Our Queenstown office combines strong local relationships with the support, specialist capability and reach of a full-service national firm.