Crown Counsel, Crown Legal Risk Group, Crown Law Office (Secondment/fixed term opportunities)

Mō mātou | About us

Crown Law provides legal advice and representation to the Government on matters that affect everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand.

At Crown Law you will work with leading public lawyers and find professional challenges that you won’t find anywhere else. It is rewarding and challenging work that will see you making your mark. We offer a flexible work environment and unique career development opportunities within the broader Government Legal Network.

Crown Law values diversity, inclusion, work-life balance, and flexibility, and we pride ourselves on creating learning opportunities for our team to grow. Understanding of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori is recognised and valued within our organisation.

Mō te Tūranga | About the Roles

We have three secondment/fixed term opportunities for Crown Counsel in the Crown Legal Risk Group commencing in July 2025.

The Crown Counsel role offers cutting edge work spanning a range of areas of law. Crown Counsel have frequent litigation opportunities in the Senior Courts and contact with Ministers and senior government officials.

Crown Counsel have responsibility for litigation files, either as lead counsel, or may fit within a team on large litigation, collaborating with senior and junior lawyers.

The role provides development opportunities for anyone who wants to pursue a career in public law. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to take on a leadership role in mentoring junior staff and building relationships with our departmental clients.

Secondments are available in the following teams:

• A secondment/fixed term opportunity in Public Law 1 until mid-July 2026, doing advice and litigation work focusing on natural resources issues, including climate change, resource management, conservation, transport, and land law. Experience in resource management law would be an advantage but not essential.
• A secondment in Public Law 2 until July 2026, doing advice and litigation work for agencies responsible for social services, health and care of tamariki.
• A secondment/fixed term opportunity in Public Law 3 until end of March 2026, doing advice and litigation work across a diverse range of generalist public law and regulatory areas, including defence and security, business and immigration, education and internal affairs.

Each team works collaboratively with other teams across Crown Law on a wide range of issues.

We would like to hear from lawyers who are interested in:

• advice work, litigation, mediation and negotiation for the Crown;
• contributing to robust government decision-making; and
• working on legally challenging issues.

We would like to talk to people with a range of skillsets, with public or private sector experience. Litigation experience is preferred.

Location: Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington

These roles are Wellington based and located near the Wellington railway and bus stations. Crown Law promotes flexible working so we’d be happy to chat about what flexible working would look like for you and how we can support that.

Remuneration

The appointing salary range for the Crown Counsel role is $114,585-$187,839 based on skills and experience

Tēnā tonoa mai | Apply Now

All applications should include a cover letter and curriculum vitae.

To be considered for a position at Crown Law you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand and are required to complete a Ministry of Justice Criminal Records Check.

Access requirements and/or whānau support will be taken into account when arranging interviews.

If you have any additional questions about this role or would like to kōrero prior to applying, or if you have a disability that affects the submission of your application through the online process, please email HR@crownlaw.govt.nz.

Applications close at 5pm, 8 July 2025.

Please indicate any team preference in your application.

If you have any questions, please contact HR@crownlaw.govt.nz.