Senior Associate Lawyer

Position Overview

Best Practice Lawyers is seeking a Senior Associate Lawyer to join their team in Foxton, New Zealand, with flexible work arrangements including remote options. This role covers a comprehensive generalist senior legal practice with direct file management responsibilities from start to finish. Clients expect and receive a lawyer intimately familiar with their matters, handling a sharp and varied caseload without the need for constant oversight.

Key Practice Areas

• Residential and rural property transactions, subdivisions, cross-lease conversions, and refinancing
• Commercial and business law involving sales, purchases, leases, and advisory work for local businesses
• Relationship property and separation cases handled sensitively and directly
• Trusts, wills, enduring powers of attorney, and estate administration

Work Approach

You will begin with an active portfolio of files, allowing immediate engagement and responsibility. There is an expectation and support for developing your own client base and referral relationships. The role provides maximum autonomy with direct client communication and decision-making authority without micromanagement.

Working Hours and Culture

Typical hours run from 8:30am to 5:30pm with no pressure to work beyond these times or on weekends. The firm fosters a strong standard of work balanced with respect for life outside the office, avoiding mandatory billable hour targets or after-hours email expectations.

About Best Practice Lawyers

This is an eleven-person firm led by Trish Amor-Davy, offering expert legal services in Property, Relationship Property, Dispute Resolution, and General Practice across two offices in Foxton and Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast. The firm is community-oriented, woman-owned, and maintains a collaborative and down-to-earth culture where staff input is valued.

Autonomy and Leadership

• Self-management of your files and client relationships without supervision
• Independent decision-making on case handling
• Visibility to firm principals, influencing firm operations
• No excessive hierarchical layers blocking your contributions

Firm Team and Values

The team includes senior lawyers and legal executives with extensive experience, supported by staff committed to high-quality work. The firm has a strong community reputation and values a practical, solutions-oriented leadership style that trusts lawyers to manage their work responsibly.

Career Progression and Partnership Pathway

Best Practice offers a clear, structured progression from Senior Associate to Salaried Partner and potentially Equity Partner with ownership options. Partnership involves leadership roles, client standing recognition, and active involvement in firm governance. Buy-in terms for ownership will be mutually agreed. The firm welcomes discussions about long-term growth and leadership from the outset.

Candidate Profile

• At least six years post-qualification experience with proven senior-level skills in Property, Relationship Property, Dispute Resolution, Commercial, or Family Law
• Demonstrable ability or potential to cultivate and expand a client portfolio
• Excellent interpersonal skills fostering client trust and enduring relationships
• Strong commercial acumen and effective problem-solving capabilities
• Client-centric communication skills simplifying complex legal matters
• Self-motivated and autonomous working style
• Possession of an existing client base or referral network is advantageous but not mandatory

Location and Flexibility

The role is based in Foxton with options for hybrid or remote work and flexible hours. Occasional presence at the Kapiti office is possible. The geographic location offers access to the Kapiti Coast, Foxton Beach, and nearby regions, with improved transportation infrastructure upcoming around 2029.

Application Details

All inquiries and applications will be handled confidentially. Candidates wishing to learn more about the position or firm before applying are encouraged to reach out for an initial discussion. By applying, candidates consent to the firm retaining their details for 12 months with an option to request removal at any time.