Legal Team Manager
Top Benefits
About the role
Job Description
Public Defence Service Hamilton
Legal Team Manager – PAL2 or PAL3
Te Haeata/The Opportunity
Are you an experienced criminal litigator? Do you have team management experience? Are you looking for a challenge along with a varied caseload? Do you enjoy working in a collaborative and supportive environment and relish the opportunity to help more junior lawyers progress their careers? This is a truly exciting opportunity.
Role
The Public Defence Service (PDS) is looking for a motivated and experienced criminal litigator, with people management experience, to take up the role of Legal team Manager at our Hamilton office. You will:
Deliver high quality defence representation to legally aided clients. Manage a varied caseload of criminal matters, including high profile cases, Appear on High court and court of appeals when required, Manage, mentor and supervise junior lawyers.
Ō Pūkenga/Skills And Experience
To be successful you must be passionate about criminal justice issues and:
have a PAL 2 level listing or above and be qualified to practice law in New Zealand. have proven credibility with judges, peers and others in the legal community. be comfortable to be part of a team who support and rely on one-another. enjoy sharing legal expertise, exchanging ideas and managing a small team of lawyers. have empathy and the ability to relate to a wide range of people.
This is a challenging but truly satisfying role.
Mō mātou/About us
At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The PDS is part of the Ministry of Justice and the wider justice sector. The Ministry provides centralised business services, infrastructure, and support to the work of the PDS.
The Public Defence Service (PDS) provides high-quality legal advice and representation in a full range of criminal cases. Aimed at helping people access justice, the PDS promotes the values of respect, integrity, service and the delivery of excellent service to its clients.
Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.
Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here
Benefits
We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:
4.4 weeks holiday leave flexible work hours where possible an online professional development portal access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks
See our full range of benefits here.
With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.
Utu ā-tau/Salary
The remuneration band for these roles is $112,766 to $154,680 (PAL2) or $130,129 and $179,192 (PAL3) – while the appointing salary for these roles will be between $112,766 to $145,388 (PAL2) or $130,129 and $168,062 (PAL3) based on skills and experience, we are willing to pay higher in the band to attract strong candidates into this role.
Tono mai/Apply
You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV and cover letter.
Applications close on Monday 24 August 2026; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.
If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz and include “MOJ XXX” (job number) in your subject line.
Follow us on LinkedIn
About Public Defence Service - New Zealand
As the largest employer of criminal defence lawyers in New Zealand - from Supervised Providers to PAL 4 Public Defenders - the PDS is a great place to grow your criminal defence law career. We develop and support criminal lawyers and have a team of highly skilled and dedicated people who are committed to promoting our clients' best interests and carrying our guardianship role in New Zealand's justice system. We have 10 offices around New Zealand and a team of nearly 250 lawyers and support staff.
Our team say that they love the collegiality - always having expert colleagues around to problem solve with, and they enjoy the variety - you never know what each day will bring. They don't have to go out and look for work, and they have great admin support. It is also important to them that they are part of establishing a more fair and just society.
We like to be the best employer possible - the PDS is flexible with employment - many of our team work part time or negotiated hours to fit around family and other commitments. Our lawyers get lots of opportunity for mentoring and coaching, have access to a first-class training programme and are able to attend industry conferences and events. It is important to us that you are able learn and become the best criminal defence lawyer you can be.
And as part of the Ministry of Justice we have a huge amount of support wrapped around us - HR, finance, IT and other support services are all provided.
"There is so much more support and collegiality than anywhere else I have worked. You have so many experts around you to bounce ideas off." (Edith)
Similar Jobs
Legal Team Manager
Top Benefits
About the role
Job Description
Public Defence Service Hamilton
Legal Team Manager – PAL2 or PAL3
Te Haeata/The Opportunity
Are you an experienced criminal litigator? Do you have team management experience? Are you looking for a challenge along with a varied caseload? Do you enjoy working in a collaborative and supportive environment and relish the opportunity to help more junior lawyers progress their careers? This is a truly exciting opportunity.
Role
The Public Defence Service (PDS) is looking for a motivated and experienced criminal litigator, with people management experience, to take up the role of Legal team Manager at our Hamilton office. You will:
Deliver high quality defence representation to legally aided clients. Manage a varied caseload of criminal matters, including high profile cases, Appear on High court and court of appeals when required, Manage, mentor and supervise junior lawyers.
Ō Pūkenga/Skills And Experience
To be successful you must be passionate about criminal justice issues and:
have a PAL 2 level listing or above and be qualified to practice law in New Zealand. have proven credibility with judges, peers and others in the legal community. be comfortable to be part of a team who support and rely on one-another. enjoy sharing legal expertise, exchanging ideas and managing a small team of lawyers. have empathy and the ability to relate to a wide range of people.
This is a challenging but truly satisfying role.
Mō mātou/About us
At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.
The PDS is part of the Ministry of Justice and the wider justice sector. The Ministry provides centralised business services, infrastructure, and support to the work of the PDS.
The Public Defence Service (PDS) provides high-quality legal advice and representation in a full range of criminal cases. Aimed at helping people access justice, the PDS promotes the values of respect, integrity, service and the delivery of excellent service to its clients.
Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions.
Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here
Benefits
We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:
4.4 weeks holiday leave flexible work hours where possible an online professional development portal access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks
See our full range of benefits here.
With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.
Utu ā-tau/Salary
The remuneration band for these roles is $112,766 to $154,680 (PAL2) or $130,129 and $179,192 (PAL3) – while the appointing salary for these roles will be between $112,766 to $145,388 (PAL2) or $130,129 and $168,062 (PAL3) based on skills and experience, we are willing to pay higher in the band to attract strong candidates into this role.
Tono mai/Apply
You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV and cover letter.
Applications close on Monday 24 August 2026; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.
If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz and include “MOJ XXX” (job number) in your subject line.
Follow us on LinkedIn
About Public Defence Service - New Zealand
As the largest employer of criminal defence lawyers in New Zealand - from Supervised Providers to PAL 4 Public Defenders - the PDS is a great place to grow your criminal defence law career. We develop and support criminal lawyers and have a team of highly skilled and dedicated people who are committed to promoting our clients' best interests and carrying our guardianship role in New Zealand's justice system. We have 10 offices around New Zealand and a team of nearly 250 lawyers and support staff.
Our team say that they love the collegiality - always having expert colleagues around to problem solve with, and they enjoy the variety - you never know what each day will bring. They don't have to go out and look for work, and they have great admin support. It is also important to them that they are part of establishing a more fair and just society.
We like to be the best employer possible - the PDS is flexible with employment - many of our team work part time or negotiated hours to fit around family and other commitments. Our lawyers get lots of opportunity for mentoring and coaching, have access to a first-class training programme and are able to attend industry conferences and events. It is important to us that you are able learn and become the best criminal defence lawyer you can be.
And as part of the Ministry of Justice we have a huge amount of support wrapped around us - HR, finance, IT and other support services are all provided.
"There is so much more support and collegiality than anywhere else I have worked. You have so many experts around you to bounce ideas off." (Edith)