Solicitor / Intermediate Solicitor

Legal Services Unit Opportunities

Join a respected in-house legal team working on complex issues that matter to New Zealanders. Opportunities at the junior and intermediate solicitor levels across litigation, legislation, employment law, and legal advisory work in a dynamic public sector environment. Help shape legally sound and responsible decisions across one of New Zealand's largest operational public service agencies.

We are recruiting across several teams within our Legal Services Unit due to team growth and internal career progression. The movement of lawyers into new roles, alongside increasing demand for legal support across the Department, has created a range of exciting opportunities. Whether you bring experience in, or an interest in developing your career across, litigation, legal advisory work, legislative development, or employment law, you'll have the opportunity to work on complex and meaningful issues that support the Department's strategic priorities. Across our teams, lawyers work closely with stakeholders throughout the organisation to provide practical legal advice, manage legal risk, and support effective decision-making.

We are a collaborative and high-performing team that embraces challenges, supports professional growth, and is committed to delivering high-quality legal services.

Litigation

Managing and advising on public law litigation, including judicial reviews, civil claims, coronial inquests, and other tribunal and court proceedings. Providing advice on the exercise of public powers and matters that impact community safety.

Advice & Legislation

Delivering practical legal advice across a wide range of public law and operational issues. Interpreting legislation, advising on policy, and supporting legislative development and reform.

Employment

Providing strategic employment law advice to support a diverse, large and complex operational workforce. Advising on employment relations matters including investigations, disciplinary processes, organisational change, personal grievances, mediations, and employment litigation.

The midpoint of the salary range for the Intermediate Solicitor position is $110,523 per annum, with the full salary range (85%-120%) spanning $93,945 to $132,628 per annum. For the Solicitor position, the full salary range is $79,635 to $112,426 per annum. Appointment and remuneration will reflect skills and experience relevant to the role.

This is an opportunity to build your legal career in a fast-paced, purpose-driven organisation where your work will have a direct impact on outcomes for the public and individuals. Whether your expertise is in litigation, public law, legislation, or employment law, you'll be part of a supportive and experienced team that values professional growth, diverse perspectives, and making a meaningful difference.

Join Ara Poutama Aotearoa - Department of Corrections, where your work will contribute to improving public safety, reducing re-offending, and address the overrepresentation of Māori in correctional facilities. As a values-led organisation, we use the principles of rangatira (leadership), manaaki (respect), wairua (spirituality), kaitiaki (guardianship), and whānau (relationships) to guide our work and achieve the goals of our Hōkai Rangi strategy. We value inclusion and diversity in our workforce, and as a Public Service organisation we are committed to building a workforce that reflects the public we serve. We strive to make our recruitment process fair, and we encourage you to discuss reasonable accommodations with us if required.

To submit an application and view the position description, click the apply link. All applications must be submitted through our careers site to ensure transparency - applications received via email will not be considered. When applying, submit a tailored CV and a cover letter describing your motivation for joining the department highlighting relevant skills and experience and the alignment to our work. Please indicate your preferred team area(s) in your cover letter: Litigation, Advice & Legislation, and/or Employment. Applications close on: Monday 7th September. If you have any questions or want to learn more about a career with us, contact Tom.Nicholas@corrections.govt.nz, or visit careers.corrections.govt.nz. We are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this role. Unsolicited CVs submitted by agencies will not be accepted and no agency fees will apply.