Legal Counsel

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Join Tauranga City Council as Legal Counsel, an in‑house role focused on contentious matters, regulatory issues, and privacy with real community impact. You’ll manage litigation matters, provide clear practice‑friendly advice to internal teams, support regulatory and corporate work, and help monitor legislative change. The ideal candidate has an LLB, a current NZ practising certificate or eligibility, about five years’ post‑qualification experience, strong litigation skills, sound judgment, and the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly. A bonus for LGOIMA or dispute‑resolution experience. We offer a collaborative team, five weeks’ annual leave, flexible hours, and development opportunities. Apply online by Sunday 30 August. If you need adjustments, contact [email protected].

Tau ake rā te moana nei, e papaki kau ana ki te ākau tangata, kakenga waka ka mauru te tohu ki te arearenga o Mauao, he pou herenga mōu, he pou hononga mōu, kia herea ki te tika, kia herea ki te pono. Kia mau, kia ita, kia ū – haumi e, hui e, tāiki e!

Te Tūranga | About the role

Tauranga City Council is looking for an experienced litigation lawyer to join our in-house Legal team as Legal Counsel.

You’ll support a wide range of contentious matters, regulatory issues, and legal advice across Council, using your litigation experience in work that has a real connection to the community. The role offers variety, complexity, and the opportunity to contribute to decisions, projects, and issues that help shape Tauranga’s future.

You’ll be joining a strong team of experienced legal professionals who are collaborative, supportive, and trusted across the organisation. It’s also an opportunity to do meaningful legal work in-house, without the pressure of time recording, billing targets, or invoicing.

What you’ll be doing

In this role, you’ll provide well-researched, pragmatic legal advice across a range of Council matters, with a particular focus on contentious issues before, during, and after litigation.

You’ll also support the team by:

• managing and supporting litigation matters
• providing clear, solution-focused legal advice to internal teams
• supporting regulatory, corporate, and privacy-related legal matters
• preparing legal reporting for Council, committees, senior leaders, and insurers
• building trusted relationships across the organisation
• contributing to legal compliance, procedures, and continuous improvement
• monitoring legislative change and helping teams understand what it means for Council

Ngā Pukenga | What you’ll need to succeed

You’ll be an experienced lawyer who enjoys working through complex matters, building trusted relationships, and providing advice that is clear, practical, and well considered.

Litigation experience is essential for this role. Experience in dispute resolution would also be highly valued, and LGOIMA experience would be a real bonus.

Ideally, you’ll bring:

• an LLB degree
• a current New Zealand practising certificate, or eligibility to hold one
• around five or more years’ relevant post-qualification experience
• strong litigation experience
• sound judgement, critical thinking, and legal analysis skills
• the ability to communicate complex legal advice clearly
• a practical, solution-focused approach
• confidence working with a wide range of stakeholders

If you’re looking for an in-house legal role where you can do meaningful litigation-focused work as part of an experienced and supportive team, we’d love to hear from you.

Tō Tātou Kaunihera | About Tauranga City Council

At Tauranga City Council, our work has a direct impact on the city and the people who call it home. From planning for growth to delivering everyday services, our teams help shape a city we can all be proud of.

If you’re collaborative, forward-thinking, and community minded, you’ll find meaningful work and opportunity here.

We offer a supportive and flexible workplace, with benefits including 5 weeks’ annual leave, flexible hours and career development opportunities.

You can find out more about working at Tauranga City Council here.

Te Tukanga | How to apply

To submit your application, please apply online, as we are unable to accept applications via email.

Applications will close Sunday 30th August

We’re committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those living with disabilities.
If you need any support or adjustments to take part in our recruitment process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]

• You must have the legal right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.
• Tauranga City Council does not accept unsolicited contact or applications from recruitment agencies. We will not pay fees or commissions related to unsolicited contact.

Job Description: Legal Counsel