Intermediate Employment Solicitor - 3+ years' PQE - Christchurch

Rare opportunity to join our market-leading Employment team, working in our close-knit Christchurch office

• Fantastic and varied work for significant clients
• Mentoring from a specialist, high-performing team
• Contribute to the growth of our South Island practice

Join New Zealand’s leading employment law practice and take the next step in your career with a genuinely national, market-leading team.

We’re looking for an experienced employment lawyer (3+ years’ PQE), or a strong litigator with a genuine interest in specialising in employment law, to join Simpson Grierson’s highly regarded Employment Law practice.   Based in our Christchurch office, this role offers a distinctive opportunity: you’ll work alongside a Christchurch-based Senior Associate, enjoy the close-knit environment of our lovely Christchurch offices, contribute to our continued South Island growth, and be fully connected to our collaborative, national team of leading employment partners and specialists across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.  

About the work

Our Employment Law practice works at the forefront of many of New Zealand’s most significant workplace matters. We advise major corporates, government agencies, local authorities, tertiary institutions and other leading employers on complex, high-impact issues that often require strategic judgement, commercial insight and excellent technical capability.

You can expect exposure to a compelling mix of major employment litigation, large-scale restructures, public sector reform projects, significant corporate transactions, collective bargaining, workplace investigations, change management and complex advisory work. You’ll also support clients through mediation and proceedings before the Authority and Courts, working alongside senior lawyers who are recognised experts in the field.

This is a role with real client exposure and responsibility. You’ll be trusted to contribute meaningfully to strategy, advice and client relationships, while having the benefit of close support, mentoring and feedback from senior colleagues locally and nationally. As you grow in the role, there will be genuine scope to build autonomy, develop specialist expertise and help shape the continued success of the Christchurch and South Island practice.

About you

You’ll have 3+ years’ experience practising in employment law, or you may be an experienced litigator looking to specialise in an area that combines people, strategy, advocacy and commercial problem-solving. Either way, you’ll bring strong analytical ability, sound judgement, excellent drafting skills and a proactive, client-focused approach.

You’ll enjoy working as part of a smart, collaborative and supportive team, and you’ll be motivated by the opportunity to keep learning, contribute to the development of others, and build trusted relationships with clients. A genuine interest in employment law, strong communication skills and the ability to think practically and commercially will be key.

Why Simpson Grierson?

Our team has a fantastic culture — supportive, inclusive and truly national. We work closely across offices, sharing expertise and opportunities. Our Partners and senior lawyers are passionate about mentoring and helping you grow. You’ll receive great support, feedback, and encouragement as you build your career
  
We offer flexible working arrangements, excellent professional development, and we’re known for our inclusive culture, our focus on wellbeing, and our commitment to helping our people thrive.

If you’re looking for a role where you can work with the best, contribute meaningfully, and be part of a national team doing high-quality, high impact work, we’d love to hear from you.