Experienced Estates Law Advisor

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. With over 70 employees, we are proud of our firm’s culture, values, and vision.

Are you an experienced estates professional ready for your next challenge?

We are looking for a compassionate, organised and capable advisor to join our Trusts & Estates team. This role can be either full time or part time, depending on the right person. While prior experience in a legal environment is advantageous, we also welcome applications from those with strong estates experience gained in other settings.

Key functions of the role include:

• Manage the full scope of estate and asset planning work, from Will preparation to estate administration.

• Provide clear, practical advice on Wills, enduring powers of attorney, and elder care planning.

• Support clients and families through the estate process with empathy and professionalism.

• Prepare and administer deceased estates with care and attention to detail.

• Advise on residential care subsidies, loans, and asset management.

• Work closely with colleagues to deliver an exceptional client experience.

  
  Our ideal candidate:

• At least 3 years’ experience in estate management or related legal work.

• A genuine desire to support clients through the estate process with empathy and professionalism.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

• An ability to provide clear, practical, and tailored advice that empowers clients to make informed decisions.

• Strong organisation and time management skills, and the ability to manage your own workload with accuracy and initiative.

• A collaborative mindset, with confidence to work independently when required.

Working at Cavell Leitch:

At Cavell Leitch, we believe work should be more than just a job. It should be a place where you can grow your career, feel valued for what you bring, and be apart of something meaningful. Our people first approach has been recognised nationally, with Cavell Leitch named a NZ Lawyers Employer of Choice.

• A connected and inclusive culture where your ideas are valued and you can genuinely contribute to the firm’s success.

• Real opportunities for growth, with ongoing learning, professional development, and mentoring to help you build your expertise and career.

• A comprehensive range of benefits and leave options that support every stage of life — including parental, long service, and study leave.

• A people-first culture that prioritises wellbeing, with a dedicated wellness programme, a $500 annual wellness allowance, and plenty of ways to connect through firm events and community involvement.

• Competitive remuneration and the chance to do meaningful work in a firm that values excellence, integrity, and care.

Typical Recruitment Process:

1. Our HR team will review applications submitted.
   Please send all submissions to HR@cavell.co.nz only.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. All relevant testing, reference-checking and criminal checks will take place.

6. Lastly, our hiring team will make the decision to offer the role, with this process being facilitated by our HR team.

7. 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.