Family Lawyer (1-3 years PQE)

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.

We have an exciting full-time opportunity for an experienced Solicitor or emerging Senior Solicitor to join our Relationships team. Our specialist team advises on a range of family law matters including relationship property agreements, estate work, separations, PPPR, family violence, care of children, adoption, child support, guardianship and much more. This is a genuine career opportunity for someone looking to establish themselves in the expertise and learn from the best. The team of 6 has a supportive culture and are looking for their next up and comer to join the team!

Key functions of the role include:

• Work closely with all authors within our Relationships team.
• Provide legal advice on a range of family law matters with supervision.
• Conduct legal research and analysis to support case strategy and client objectives.
• Draft legal documents, including correspondence, pleadings and affidavits.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships through exceptional service.
• Attend court hearings, mediations, and settlements representing clients under supervision.
• Stay abreast of changes in legislation, court decisions, and legal trends affecting family law.
• Support business development initiatives and attend networking events.

Our ideal candidate:

• NZ qualified lawyer with approximately 1–3years’ legal experience, preferably within family law.
• Is able to work well as part of a close-knit team but also show initiative.
• Is resilient, has a passion for family law and keen to progress their career in that expertise.
• Great communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, as well as a sense of humour.
• Exceptional technical mind and ability to analyse legal issues.
• Excellent attention to detail and has a strong drive for delivering the best client experience.
• 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 training.
• Flexible working practices.
• Range of leave benefits (parental, long service, marital, study, lawyers’ day)
• Connected culture and supportive wellbeing program.

Typical Recruitment Process:

1. Our HR team will endeavour to respond to applications within 48 hours of receiving them.
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.

Contact us

If you want to know more about the firm, or to enquire whether we’re the right fit for each other feel free to give Lauren a call on 0273567383.

Alternatively, if you wish to submit your application, including a covering letter and Curriculum Vitae apply HERE or email the firms HR Advisor, Lauren Buchan on lauren.buchan@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.