Te Haeata/The Opportunity

Looking for a challenge along with a varied caseload? Enjoy working in a collaborative and supportive environment? Relish the opportunity to help more junior lawyers progress their careers? This is a truly exciting opportunity.

The Public Defence Service (PDS) is looking for a motivated and experienced criminal litigator to take up the role of Senior Lawyer at our Manukau office. Reporting to the Assistant Office Public Defender you will:

• Deliver high quality defence representation to legally aided clients
• Manage a varied caseload of criminal matters, including high profile cases
• Appear on High court and court of appeals when required
• Train, mentor and supervise junior lawyers

He pūkenga tou/Skills and Experience

To be successful you must be passionate about criminal justice issues and:

• Have a PAL 3 or 4 level listing and be qualified to practice law in New Zealand
• have proven credibility with judges, peers and others in the legal community
• be comfortable to be part of a team who support and rely on one-another
• enjoy sharing legal expertise, exchanging ideas and brainstorming
• have empathy and the ability to relate to a wide range of people

This is a challenging but truly satisfying job and our lawyers love what they do.  

Ko wai mātou/Who we are

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to working together for a fair and safe Aotearoa.

The Public Defence Service (PDS) is part of the Ministry of Justice and the wider justice sector. The Ministry provides centralised business services, infrastructure, and support to the work of the PDS. 

The PDS provides high-quality legal advice and representation in a full range of criminal cases. Aimed at helping people access justice, the PDS promotes the values of respect, integrity, service and the delivery of excellent service to its clients.

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities, and religions. 

He aha ngā painga o tēnei mahi mōu/Why you will enjoy working here

One thing I love about working at the PDS is all the opportunities I've been provided with. I've been given extensive training opportunities at various criminal law workshops, conferences, webinars and in person training days. I've also been given opportunities to engage in leadership training, internally and externally to the ministry of justice. I've been given an incredible variety of cases to work on and have appeared in the district court, high court and court of appeal. As well as legal work and leadership, there are also opportunities to be involved in organising social events in the office and to be a part of its cultural development in the various committees available."  Hannah

We will provide you with:

• Access to a well-designed and embedded national training programme,
• Professional development and opportunities to attend conferences
• A professional supervision programme
• Flexible working options where possible
• A laptop and mobile phone

See our full range of benefits here.

Utu ā-tau/Salary

The appointing salary for this role will be:

PAL 3 - between $117,572 and $152,275 based on skills and experience

PAL 4 - between $128,614 and $166,694 based on skills and experience.

Tono mai/How to Apply

To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website. You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV and cover letter.

Applications close on 22 September 2024; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

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