Legal Counsel

He angitūtanga: The opportunity

Te Kaunihera o Tāmāki Makaurau/Auckland Council has an opportunity for a permanent full-time Legal Counsel to join its Regulatory & Enforcement team, reporting to the Associate General Counsel in Ngā Ratonga Ture/Legal Services.

This is a critical role for providing sound and technically robust legal services. You will lead by example and champion best-practice regulatory & enforcement litigation. 

The Regulatory & Enforcement team comprises 15 lawyers, prosecutors and legal executives. You will receive mentoring and support from our close-knit team which includes leading practitioners in local government regulatory and enforcement law.

As part of your role you will:

• Conduct thorough legal research, analysis, and provide advice, maintaining a high standard and under the appropriate level of supervision
• Communicate with internal clients and external providers to support the team in providing quality and accurate advice.
• Attend Environment Court-assisted mediations and alternative dispute resolution process
• Represent Auckland Council in various courts, tribunals and other hearings on regulatory matters

He kōrero mōu: About you

We are looking for someone with 2 to 4 years PQE who demonstrates a sound understanding of Regulatory and Enforcement law.  You will have strong attention to detail, be organised in managing your work, and have a collaborative working style with team members, clients, and our external law firm providers. In-house and local authority experience is welcomed but not required.

You will have the ability to deliver well-articulated, technically robust legal advice. To be successful in this role, you will be solution-focused, working to manage risk within the organisation.  

This is an opportunity to utilise your interpersonal and relationship-building skills while working across a large and varied portfolio. This role will see you work independently and as part of a high-performing team.

We are specifically looking for:

• A tertiary qualification in law and a current NZ practising certificate
• At least two years of post-graduate law experience in legal practice (in-house or in private practice).
• Evidence of high-quality legal work, including technical drafting, legal analysis, written & oral communication
• Experience acting in relation to regulatory matters including the RMA and Building Act

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou: What we offer

Legal Services is an in-house team of 50+ lawyers in five teams (Public Law, Commercial, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Regulatory & Enforcement, and Property). We empower Auckland Council to do the right thing, the right way, for an Auckland we can all be proud of. 

Auckland Council is the largest local government council across Oceania, serving over 1.7 million people and contributing towards making Tāmaki Makaurau a world-class city.

We offer a range of employee benefits and proudly support flexible working options where possible.

We are proud to be recognised for our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We are accredited by GenderTick, a signatory of the Pride Pledge. These commitments reflect our ongoing efforts to create a workplace where all staff feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

We have a fantastic, inclusive working environment, which is collaborative, fun, safe and results-driven. There is lots of support, and flexible working is standard (many of our team regularly work from home two days a week).

Please call Christian Brown, Associate General Counsel on 021 913 952 if you want to discuss the role before applying

Me Tono Ināianei!: Apply Now!

Applications close: 30 September 2025

Click here to view the Position Description.

Our employer Kiwisaver contribution is additional to base salary offered.

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer. We serve the diverse communities of Tāmaki Makaurau and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds - regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, educational background, or religious beliefs. We also welcome applications from our Rainbow communities as well as disabled and neurodivergent people. We are committed to making our hiring process accessible to everyone. If you require any support or adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.