Senior Legal Counsel, Credit

Ko mātou tēnei | Who we are

Te Komihana Tauhokohoko | The Commerce Commission is New Zealand's competition, fair trading, consumer credit and economic regulatory agency. Our mission is to make New Zealanders better off by ensuring our markets work well and consumers and businesses are confident participants in those markets.

As our areas of regulation grow, we have been transforming as an organisation and adopting a more collaborative, cross-functional approach to the delivery of legal services. A recent organisational review has brought our lawyers and paralegals into one branch, creating one of the largest legal teams in the country.

We are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel to join our Credit Legal team. This is a permanent role that may be based in either Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) office or Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) office.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

You will be part of an expert Legal Services team with an impressive record of enforcement outcomes and defended appeals. As the lead lawyer assigned to strategically significant Commission projects, you will be supporting project teams, carrying out complex legal research and analysis of relevant NZ and international credit and fair trading laws; and analysing complex information to identify solutions to legal issues. You will also provide mentoring and guidance to junior colleagues and champion effective client relationships.

You will be the project manager on selected litigation projects, advising on litigation strategy, providing instruction to external legal counsel, drafting and reviewing Court documents and ensuring the Commission behaves as a model litigant.

He kōrero mōu | About you

**To be successful in this role, you will have**:

- Undergraduate degree in law with a sound academic transcript
- Current New Zealand practising certificate
- 8+ years' Post Qualification Experience
- Experience in consumer law, public law and/or litigation to an expert level
- Demonstrated expertise in the drafting of legal advice
- Exemplary legal research and analytical ability
- High level of verbal and written communication skills
- Ideally you will have had experience and/or familiarity with consumer credit law

Above all, we are seeking a smart and curious lawyer who has a keen interest in working on important credit and fair trading issues.

Read more about the skills, experience and knowledge required for this position in the position description.

Te wāhi mahi | Working here

We're friendly and collaborative and enjoy contributing to our shared vision of making New Zealanders better off. Career growth and development is not only supported and encouraged, it's a part of everyday life here. We also offer a range of benefits to show that we'll value your mahi, including generous leave entitlements, study support, a range of wellness initiatives and competitive remuneration.

We are committed to our people's wellbeing. Any support needed is freely given, providing the opportunity for everyone to thrive. Our flexible working options are key to supporting that goal and our people have the technology they need to make it happen. We even offer a contribution to working from home set up costs. Our environment is inclusive, and our people know they are free to be their authentic selves at work and structure the way they work to suit their lifestyle.

Ka pēhea te tono mai | How to apply

Our recruitment process is fair, inclusive and free from bias and we encourage our applicants to let us know if we can make it more user friendly for them. We are an equal opportunity employer. We value diverse perspectives and the contribution every one of our people makes to our culture. Put simply - you can be yourself here.