Job Description
Crown Counsel (Treaty / Public Law), 10+ years PQE
Diverse range of important and challenging work
Opportunities for professional growth and career development
Collegial and collaborative team environment
Do you enjoy working on significant and legally challenging issues? Are you motivated to make a meaningful contribution to the legal landscape of Aotearoa/New Zealand?
Crown Law is seeking experienced and dedicated senior lawyers to join their Treaty Team and Public Law 2 Team as Crown Counsel. These roles provide the opportunity to work on significant and impactful legal issues facing the Crown; to contribute to robust government decision-making; and to develop your career in a supportive and collegial environment. If you have a passion for public law and a commitment to excellence, we want to hear from you!
Mo enei turanga mahi | About the roles
Crown Law is at the forefront of providing indispensable legal advice and representation to the Crown, supporting the executive government in navigating complex legal challenges and related decision-making. The work involves judicial reviews, constitutional questions, and Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi issues.
As Crown Counsel, you will manage litigation files (as lead counsel or as part of a team of lawyers), provide advice to Ministers and senior government officials, manage client relationships, and mentor and develop more junior team members. You will work collaboratively with other colleagues within your team and have opportunities to work with other teams.
Treaty Team
The Treaty Team, part of the Attorney-General's Group, focuses on a diverse range of legal matters relating to the Maori-Crown relationship, particularly in the context of te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi. We regularly work on matters relating to constitutional, public and administrative law, statutory interpretation, commercial negotiation and equity/trusts. Our litigation work is primarily in the Waitangi Tribunal and the senior courts.
This role will suit someone with a passion for working at the interface of government and te ao Maori. You will bring knowledge and understanding of the relationship between tikanga Maori and the common law, and of the Crown's responsibilities as a Treaty partner, or have a desire to develop this expertise.
Public Law 2 Team
The Public Law 2 Team is part of the Crown Legal Risk Group which includes four Public Law Teams and a Revenue Team. The Public Law Teams work across a wide variety of subject areas including climate change, social services, citizenship and immigration, health, gambling, biosecurity, defence, education and transport. The Public Law 2 Team provides advice and litigation services to agencies responsible for social services, health, and the care of tamariki. Our litigation work is in the senior courts.
Ko koe tenei | About you
To be successful in these roles you will bring:
A Bachelor of Laws and current practising certificate (or eligibility to get one).
A minimum of 10 years' PQE, with a strong background in public law, judicial review, legislative processes, and/or civil litigation. (A mix of advisory skills and litigation experience in the senior courts is preferred).
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Keen analytical and problem-solving skills, and a desire to work on challenging legal issues.
Excellent relationship-building skills and a desire to contribute to a collaborative and high-performing environment.
A passion for working on impactful and interesting legal issues.
Knowledge and understanding of te ao Maori (or a willingness to develop this).
Public sector experience, and an understanding of the machinery of government, is helpful.
Me pehea te tuku tono | How to apply
If you are ready to join Crown Law, click the 'Apply' button, and submit your cover letter, and tailored CV by the closing date of 9am, Monday, * March 2026. Please indicate your preference for the Treaty Team or the Public Law 2 Team in your cover letter.
Alternatively, for more information and a confidential discussion about any of these positions (including if you do not quite meet the PQE expectation), please contact Katy Elliott on 021 XXXXXX (katy.elliott@nicherecruitment.co.nz) or Moana Temel on 021 XXXXXX (moana.temel@nicherecruitment.co.nz).
Diverse range of important and challenging work
Opportunities for professional growth and career development
Collegial and collaborative team environment
Do you enjoy working on significant and legally challenging issues? Are you motivated to make a meaningful contribution to the legal landscape of Aotearoa/New Zealand?
Crown Law is seeking experienced and dedicated senior lawyers to join their Treaty Team and Public Law 2 Team as Crown Counsel. These roles provide the opportunity to work on significant and impactful legal issues facing the Crown; to contribute to robust government decision-making; and to develop your career in a supportive and collegial environment. If you have a passion for public law and a commitment to excellence, we want to hear from you!
Mo enei turanga mahi | About the roles
Crown Law is at the forefront of providing indispensable legal advice and representation to the Crown, supporting the executive government in navigating complex legal challenges and related decision-making. The work involves judicial reviews, constitutional questions, and Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi issues.
As Crown Counsel, you will manage litigation files (as lead counsel or as part of a team of lawyers), provide advice to Ministers and senior government officials, manage client relationships, and mentor and develop more junior team members. You will work collaboratively with other colleagues within your team and have opportunities to work with other teams.
Treaty Team
The Treaty Team, part of the Attorney-General's Group, focuses on a diverse range of legal matters relating to the Maori-Crown relationship, particularly in the context of te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi. We regularly work on matters relating to constitutional, public and administrative law, statutory interpretation, commercial negotiation and equity/trusts. Our litigation work is primarily in the Waitangi Tribunal and the senior courts.
This role will suit someone with a passion for working at the interface of government and te ao Maori. You will bring knowledge and understanding of the relationship between tikanga Maori and the common law, and of the Crown's responsibilities as a Treaty partner, or have a desire to develop this expertise.
Public Law 2 Team
The Public Law 2 Team is part of the Crown Legal Risk Group which includes four Public Law Teams and a Revenue Team. The Public Law Teams work across a wide variety of subject areas including climate change, social services, citizenship and immigration, health, gambling, biosecurity, defence, education and transport. The Public Law 2 Team provides advice and litigation services to agencies responsible for social services, health, and the care of tamariki. Our litigation work is in the senior courts.
Ko koe tenei | About you
To be successful in these roles you will bring:
A Bachelor of Laws and current practising certificate (or eligibility to get one).
A minimum of 10 years' PQE, with a strong background in public law, judicial review, legislative processes, and/or civil litigation. (A mix of advisory skills and litigation experience in the senior courts is preferred).
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Keen analytical and problem-solving skills, and a desire to work on challenging legal issues.
Excellent relationship-building skills and a desire to contribute to a collaborative and high-performing environment.
A passion for working on impactful and interesting legal issues.
Knowledge and understanding of te ao Maori (or a willingness to develop this).
Public sector experience, and an understanding of the machinery of government, is helpful.
Me pehea te tuku tono | How to apply
If you are ready to join Crown Law, click the 'Apply' button, and submit your cover letter, and tailored CV by the closing date of 9am, Monday, * March 2026. Please indicate your preference for the Treaty Team or the Public Law 2 Team in your cover letter.
Alternatively, for more information and a confidential discussion about any of these positions (including if you do not quite meet the PQE expectation), please contact Katy Elliott on 021 XXXXXX (katy.elliott@nicherecruitment.co.nz) or Moana Temel on 021 XXXXXX (moana.temel@nicherecruitment.co.nz).
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Crown Counsel (Treaty / Public Law), 10+ years' PQE position is now open for candidates interested in the Education Jobs sector. This role in Wellington offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Education Jobs is a plus.
