Te Haeata/The Opportunity Looking for a challenge along with a varied caseload? Enjoy working in a collaborative and supportive environment? Relish the opportunity to help more junior lawyers progress their careers? This is a truly exciting opportunity.
Job Description Public Defence Service – Hamilton Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer – PAL 3 Te Haeata/The Opportunity Looking for a challenge along with a diverse caseload? Enjoy working in a collaborative and supportive environment? 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 to take up the role of Senior Lawyer at our Hamilton office. Reporting to the Office Public Defender 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.
Train, mentor and supervise junior lawyers.
Ō Pūkenga/Skills And Experience To be successful you must be passionate about criminal justice issues and:
Have a PAL3 level listing 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 brainstorming.
have empathy and the ability to relate to a wide range of people.
This is a challenging but truly satisfying role and our lawyers love what they do.
Mō mčō/ About us At Te ūhąŏ 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 ūhąŏ 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.
Ngă painga o tēnei wēhi 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 ċčċ/tČ The remuneration band for this role is (PAL3) $119,572 and $164,287 while the appointing salary will be based on skills and experience, we are willing to pay higher in the band to attract strong candidates into this role.
Applications close on 21 September 2026; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Senior Lawyer (Ontario)
🏢 Public Defence Service - New Zealand
📍 Ontario