Our client is seeking an experienced Senior Trust Lawyer to take a leadership role within their established Private Client team. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior practitioner who enjoys technically complex work, people leadership, and contributing to the continued success of a busy trusts practice. This role suits a lawyer operating at Senior Associate level, or an experienced Associate ready to step into a role with broader responsibility.

About the Role
You will lead and manage a busy Trusts team, while also undertaking some Estates work alongside an experienced Estates practice. The role offers a strong mix of complex legal work, leadership, client relationship management and business development with a steady pipeline of work and established client relationships. You will work closely with a Partner and have dedicated administrative support within a collaborative and well‑resourced firm environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Advising clients on all aspects of trust law, including establishment, administration, reporting and winding up
• Providing estate planning and estate administration advice, including Wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney
• Advising on asset protection and other private client matters (property law experience is advantageous)
• Leading and managing the Trusts team on a day‑to‑day basis
• Mentoring and developing junior lawyers and support staff
• Managing files efficiently and ensuring matters progress in a timely manner
• Building and maintaining strong, trusted client relationships
• Contributing to business development, networking and profile‑raising activities

About You

You will be a confident and capable private client lawyer who brings both technical expertise and leadership capability. You will ideally have:

• Strong experience in trusts law, with estates experience 
• Experience at Senior Associate level, or readiness to step into that level
• The ability to manage complex matters independently
• Demonstrated leadership ability, or a clear interest in supervising and developing others
• Strong communication skills and a client‑focused approach
• A collaborative mindset and professional confidence
• An interest in networking and contributing to ongoing practice growth

What’s On Offer

• Complex, high‑quality trust and estate work
• Flexible working arrangements, including work‑from‑home options 
• Life insurance plus in‑house wellbeing initiatives, lunch‑and‑learn sessions and regular social events
• Paid birthday leave
• A supportive, inclusive and collegial working environment

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Liz Sloan at CoLegal Recruitment – liz@colegal.co.nz or 027 211 6718.
  
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