Senior Lawyer – Supervisor
Completed Stepping Up or about to? We're looking for an experienced or emerging lawyer ready to make their mark in a new, people focused supervisor role.
Working closely with our lawyers and clients, this is a new role designed to grow the capacity and resilience of our growing legal team.
About us
Waitematā Community Law Centre is one of New Zealand’s largest independent Community Law Centres (CLCs). We are in a growth phase, with an experienced new management team committed to expanding our reach and impact. To do that, we need great people like you!
We are funded to deliver free legal advice and education to over 480,000 people living in West Auckland, North Shore and Rodney. With mahi that is uniquely interesting and rewarding, our team positively expands access to justice in our community and every day is helping clients achieve life‑changing results.
Our team includes a dozen paid staff (mostly lawyers) and an extended team of volunteer law students and pro‑bono lawyers. While our staff are all based out of our main office in Henderson, we deliver outreach clinics and education sessions across our Waitematā catchment.
About the Role :
As our Centre’s workload continues to grow and diversify, we’re looking for a Senior Lawyer – Supervisor to deepen the bench of skills, strengthen our client delivery and help shape the future of our legal practice.
In this role, you’ll bring both your client expertise and leadership skills to the table – supervising and mentoring staff while contributing to the design of our evolving practice model. It's a dynamic role where no two days are the same. Most of all, you'll be making a tangible difference – for your team, and for the community we serve.
The role is 37.5 hrs a week, mostly Monday to Friday. Clean driver’s license required.
A quick look at what you’ll be doing :
- Hands‑on engaging with clients, providing quality legal advice and casework, from our Henderson office, outreach clinics and via phone.
- Providing regular on‑going guidance and support for Waitematā Community Law Centre’s paid and pro‑bono lawyers, especially in relation to complex casework and legal education.
- Assisting the Principal Solicitor supervising the legal work of lawyers and volunteers and checking files, as required by section 31(4) of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act 2006.
- Working closely with the General Manager, Principal Solicitor and Client Operations Leads to ensure we provide client services within our eligibility criteria and address concerns or complaints at the earliest stage.
- Delivering and developing legal education in the community.
- Working with key external stakeholders including other CLCs, law firms, social service agencies and partners to improve our effectiveness and reach.
Our successful applicants for this position will need :
To have completed Stepping Up and qualified to practise on your own account (preferable) or ready to complete Stepping Up or to ‘Top Up’ if your two years has lapsed.At least 8+ years PQE, admitted to the roll of Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of NZ with a current practicing certificate (or able to be).Proactive problem‑solving using knowledge, initiative, resourcefulness and tact.Excellent written and verbal skills to convey legal advice that is accurate, concise and accessible to individuals and audiences from all backgrounds.To demonstrate experience contributing constructively to a collaborative work environment, including relevant leadership and or supervision experience.To manage internal and external relationships confidently and independently.Solid general understanding of the areas of New Zealand law relevant to our clients, including family, employment, immigration, tenancy, consumer, minor criminal and estate law. Demonstrated experience in one or more areas of law is an advantage.A commitment to working systematically to expand access to justice, removes barriers for clients and incorporate our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.You’ll thrive in this role if you :
Bring initiative, curiosity, and a desire to progress your career and leadership skills.Are a team player who enjoys working alongside others.Are an excellent multi‑tasker who can prioritise effectively.Are calm under pressure, highly empathetic and help others regulate in stressful situations.Can shift quickly and practically between high level and detail‑oriented tasks to generate (often in real time) robust solutions for new and future problems.Are confident explaining the what, the why and the how.Are respectful, non‑judgmental, and compassionate to difference.Have a high degree of openness, humility and EQ.Why choose us?
Outstanding life / work balance (in that order) with a ‘work stays at work’ culture and flexible, family‑friendly hours.Develop your practise in a dynamic and collegial environment with passionate colleagues, pro bono and student volunteers.Central Henderson based location – free secure, covered parking – in brand‑new office, fully refurbished in 2025.Four weeks leave plus three bonus days off between Christmas and New Years and extra birthday leave.Work for an organisation with a strong ‘for‑purpose’ mission, part of a thriving community law network across Aotearoa NZ.How to Apply :
If this sounds like you, please submit an online application with your CV and short cover letter. We’ll need to see you have the right to work and practice law in New Zealand and have a valid driver’s licence.
Please note : Applications will be reviewed as received, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
If you would like to discuss the role on a confidential basis, please contact :
A final note :
You don’t have to tick every single box. If this role excites you and you’re confident you can bring value to the team, we want to hear from you. Diversity is a strength – we encourage applicants from all backgrounds.
Please note, we are unable to consider applications from candidates that do not currently have the right to live, work and practice in New Zealand.
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