Legal Counsel

About First Cape | Mo FirstCape 

FirstCape is one of New Zealand's largest and best resourced wealth advisory and asset management business, creating an enhanced and broadened product offering to help our clients achieve their goals at whatever stage of their investment life cycle. Here at FirstCape, we believe that our people are our greatest asset. Our success is dependent on the collective talent, expertise, and dedication of each and every one of our team members. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive, grow, and contribute to their fullest potential.

About the opportunity | Mo te whai waahi

Step into a pivotal Legal Counsel role where your expertise will directly influence the strategic direction and risk management of JBWere and FirstCape. You'll work alongside senior leaders, providing high-quality legal advice, supporting governance and compliance initiatives, and contributing to innovative projects in a dynamic financial services environment. This is a fantastic opportunity for a driven legal professional to grow, collaborate, and make a real impact—while developing your career in a supportive, forward-thinking team.

Key Responsibilities | Ngā Kawenga Mahi

• Deliver timely, accurate legal advice on financial regulation, AML/CFT, privacy, and market conduct.
• Interpret regulatory changes and prepare practical guidance for the business.
• Conduct legal research and draft briefing notes on issues impacting JBWere.
• Support business functions with the implementation of legal advice.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of agreements (supplier, finance, technology, property, referral, confidentiality, IT licences, custody).
• Prepare client-facing documentation, including forms and terms and conditions.
• Liaise with external counsel as required.
• Assist in preparing client communications for capital market activity and managed fund offerings.
• Prepare governance materials, committee papers, and meeting minutes for legal-related committees.
• Support compliance team responses to regulator enquiries and incident management.
• Contribute to legal workstreams on strategic projects and product development.
• Identify opportunities to streamline legal processes and improve documentation standards.
• Maintain awareness of industry developments and proactively share insights with the team.

What you will bring to the role | He aha ka kawea e koe ki te mahi

We require that you have:

• Law degree and admission as a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand with a current practising certificate.
• Minimum 3 years' post-qualification experience in corporate/commercial law, ideally with exposure to financial services.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complexity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, able to convey legal concepts clearly to non-legal stakeholders.
• High attention to detail and ability to prioritise competing deadlines.
• Collaborative, proactive, and commercially minded approach.
• Experience negotiating with contractual counterparties.
• Exposure to key legislation relevant to financial services (AML/CFT, FMCA, Privacy Act, contract law) preferred.

Why work at FirstCape? | He aha mahi i te FirstCape? 

We offer a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience. Additional benefits include wellbeing support, volunteer days and a great company culture. We pride ourselves on offering our employees outstanding development and learning opportunities to support career growth, and the opportunity to work alongside the best talent in the market.

We are an inclusive employer and want our workforce to reflect a rich and diverse way of thinking and working.  We know people are more than a single identity and the qualities that make each one of us unique need to be valued and embraced.  So regardless of your gender, age, background or how you choose to identify, there's room for you to realise your potential here. And importantly, there's room to be yourself. 

We're also committed to providing equal opportunities to all candidates.  Let us know if you have any accessibility requirements so we can work with you to make adjustments where possible to support your application.  Alternatively, if you don't meet all the requirements of the role but think you would be a great candidate, please apply explaining why you want the role, how you think your skills or background are transferable, and how you plan to upskill where needed (we will support you with this, but want to know you have thought about this too).

To be eligible to apply, you must have the right to work in New Zealand. Please note candidate screening and interviews may be conducted prior to the closing date of the job advert.