​The severe talent shortage in the New Zealand​ legal employment market combined with increased costs of living in bigger city centres has forced a change to the systemic issue in the Legal sector of low salaries for junior lawyers. The upward lift in these salaries is being led by some of the top tier firms and is a step towards a more equitable balance between junior lawyers and the firms that employ them. The change brings graduate salaries up to an average of $57,900 per year, and the salaries for lawyers with one years' experience up to an average of $68,000 per year. 

With the long awaited change driven by ​the living wage, pressure from those within the legal industry and the skills shortage, firms still have work to do within the junior lawyer cohort to ensure fair remuneration​ across the board. Over time we expect to see changes to working conditions (​including greater flexibility), paid overtime and bonus structures​ that better remunerate for those working overtime and exceeding their targets.

For more Legal sector insights, news and jobs follow the CoLegal LinkedIn page or feel free to reach out to one of our Consultants.