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We are a Christchurch-based law firm, and over the past century we have built a reputation for maintaining close and dependable relationships with our clients.
We have an exciting full-time opportunity for an experienced Senior Associate to join our Employment team commencing 2026.
Our specialist team advises on a range of employment law matters including employment agreements, employee claims, commercial deals, restructuring and redundancy, workplace systems, employee management and much more. This is a genuine career opportunity for someone looking to further establish themselves in the expertise and work with the best.
Key functions of the role include:
Providing legal advice on employment law matters.
Ability to handle files on your own (knowing you have a supportive team to collaborate with).
Work closely with all authors within our employment and dispute resolution team.
Draft legal documents, including correspondence, pleadings and affidavits.
Conduct legal research and analysis to support case strategy and client objectives.
Ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships through exceptional service.
Attend court hearings, mediations, and settlements representing clients.
Stay abreast of changes in legislation, court decisions, and legal trends affecting employment law.
Support business development initiatives and attend networking events.
Our ideal candidate:
NZ qualified lawyer with 5 or more years’ legal experience, specifically in employment law.
Has experience attending court, hearings, and mediations.
Exceptional technical mind and ability to analyse legal issues.
Highly experienced in drafting legal documents.
Excellent attention to detail and has a strong drive for delivering the best client experience.
Is able to work well as part of a close-knit team but also show initiative.
Is resilient, has a passion for employment law and keen to progress their career in that expertise.
Great communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, as well as a sense of humour.
Is well-organised, time-efficient and process driven.
Working at Cavell Leitch:
Ongoing training and development opportunities with progression pathways.
You'll be part of a close-knit team who work collaboratively and provide excellent mentoring.
Flexible working practices.
Range of leave benefits (parental, long service, marital, study, lawyers’ day)
Connected culture and supportive wellbeing programme.
Typical Recruitment Process:
Our HR team will review applications submitted.
Please send all submissions to HR@cavell.co.nz only.If skills align, we will invite you to an interview with an HR member and/or relevant team leaders. The first interview may be prefaced by an initial phone call to give you more details about the role and your suitability for it. This provides an opportunity for the candidate to discuss their experience and ambitions, ensuring they are a good match.
We may then conduct a second, less formal interview with other members of our team to help you gain insight into our culture and what it is like working at Cavell Leitch.
Our HR team checks in with candidates between each stage to cover off any concerns, revisit expectations and ensure everyone is on the same page. We want to ensure potential candidates feel comfortable and informed throughout the process.
All relevant testing, reference-checking and criminal checks will take place.
Lastly, our hiring team will make the decision to offer the role, with this process being facilitated by our HR team.
We then offer a full bespoke induction to all of our successful candidates during their first weeks with us to ensure they can settle in and get to know our team and systems.
If you wish to find out more about this opportunity or you wish to submit your application, including a cover letter and your CV, please contact David Fitchett, Culture & People Principal at HR@cavell.co.nz
Cavell Leitch does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed recruitment fee agreement, Cavell Leitch will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Cavell Leitch explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any solicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Cavell Leitch.
