Junior Legal Counsel

Perpetual Guardian is one of New Zealand's largest and leading providers of Personal Trustee and Estate Administration services. We’ve helped thousands of Kiwis meet their unique asset protection and preservation needs, from the simple to the complex. Through expert trust and asset planning, formation, and management services spanning generations, we’ve established ourselves as industry leaders and, most importantly, as trusted partners to our clients.

We are seeking an experienced Junior Legal Counsel to join our award-winning and highly regarded Legal Services Team. This role offers significant learning and development opportunities within a supportive and accomplished in-house team, making it ideal for a motivated practitioner looking to enhance their expertise and build their professional brand.

You will be responsible for legal work including, but not limited to, Conveyancing and E-dealings, preparation of PPPR application and Probates, provide excellent services to our Client Assistants and Client Managers who manage most the business' client relationships. You will also support and provide services directly to our clients in providing relevant legal services.

Our Head Office is based in Auckland, however there is flexibility of the role being based in Wellington, Christchurch or Hamilton.

DepartmentLegal and EstatesEmployment TypePermanent - Full TimeLocationAuckland Head OfficeWorkplace typeHybridReporting ToTheresa Donnelly

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Draft wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney, trust documents, gifting documentation, and other legal instruments in line with approved standards and company procedures
• Ensuring all documentation is fully compliant with statutes, regulations and Company Policy
• Handling estate transfers, realty sales, purchases and conveyancing transactions, including Landonline searches, and e-dealings
• Provide legal advice and support to the internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to legal service enhancements, including updating fee guidelines, refining precedents, and participating in efficiency-driven projects.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Registered Solicitor with a current practicing certificate
• Relevant experience in a legal or quasi-legal environment
• Sound knowledge of trust structures and related documents
• Legal conveyancing experience, including sound knowledge and experience of Land online searching and e-dealing
• Ability to prioritise under pressure, multi-task, and work independently to meet objectives
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with high standards of literacy and accuracy
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
• Commitment to providing a high standard of customer service

Job Benefits

• Opportunity to work with Wealth Management Experts in New Zealand – career growth and training opportunities. This role can be a gateway into the specialised industry of wealth protection
• Health and Life Insurance Cover*
• Flexible Working Arrangement*
• Discounts on company products – including free Will!
• Discounts on products and services through commercial business partners

*Eligibility criteria apply.

If you are interested in this role, please APPLY NOW! Note: Only candidates who are legally entitled to work in New Zealand will be considered.

About Perpetual Guardian

Perpetual Guardian Group is the largest non-Government philanthropic entity in Aotearoa and the leading provider of fiduciary services in New Zealand. Through the provision of expert trust, asset planning and investment management across generations of New Zealanders, we've become leaders in the industry and, most importantly, trusted partners with our clients.

We are specialists in providing Wills, Trusts and Enduring Powers of Attorney.  We understand the sensitive nature of Wills, supporting grieving families, helping to plan estates and achieve financial goals.