Russell McVeagh is New Zealand's premier law firm committed to operating at the cutting edge of legal practice. Our award-winning team of lawyers are internationally recognised for their thought leadership, depth of experience and ability to translate complex legal issues into client success stories. We have established offices in Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau and Wellington | Te Whanganui-a-Tara, and a new office in Queenstown | Tāhuna.
Our values of Respect | Manaaki, Curiosity | Māhirahira, Excellence | Whai hiranga and Tenacity | Whakapau kaha reflect who we are and how we work together.
About the role
Our Auckland litigation team has an exciting opportunity for a lawyer with 1-4 years' experience to join a team with a focus on a wide variety of complex domestic and cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters. Candidates could have a background in either litigation, banking or corporate advisory, with some experience in restructuring and insolvency matters.
Our dedicated national restructuring and insolvency practice, led by Matthew Kersey and Alex MacDuff, advise on a full range of restructuring and insolvency matters (both domestic and cross-border), including workouts and turnarounds, formal insolvencies, enforcement, distressed refinancings and M&A, and claims against directors, auditors and other stakeholders. The team also handles a wide range of commercial disputes.
You will get exposure to interesting work for our domestic and international client base of financial institutions (banks and credit funds), insolvency practitioners, corporate borrowers, sponsors, directors and international law firms. You will engage with the court and work alongside a range of practice groups within Russell McVeagh. You will learn from the best in a high-achieving team and a firm that is committed to developing your career and fostering a positive work environment.
Our team is ranked as a tier 1 restructuring and insolvency practice in all major legal directories, and our senior lawyers are ranked across those directories. Clients say:
"The Russell McVeagh team are exceptional and our preferred in the market for restructuring work - they are all extremely responsive and results orientated."
- The Legal 500 (Asia-Pacific 2025 guide), client feedback
About you
If you are looking for an opportunity to work within a supportive, ambitious and energetic team and would like to join an award-winning full-service firm, we would like to hear from you.
The successful candidate will have:
- A legal qualification with 1-4 years of experience with a desire to focus on restructuring and insolvency.
- A high quality CV and academic transcript.
- Excellent verbal and written communication and analytical skills.
- Ability to work independently and think critically.
- Ability to build connections and work collaboratively.
Benefits
We offer a range of benefits designed to support our people to perform at their best:
- Wellbeing support – An annual allowance to invest in what matters most to you, alongside access to confidential counselling services and a range of wellbeing resources.
- Flexible working – Support to work your way, including a home office allowance to help set you up for success wherever you work.
- Family support – Generous parental leave and structured support to help you transition into and out of parenthood with confidence.
- Making life easier – Public transport benefit through our employee platform, plus late-night travel support and meals when you need it.
- Time off, your way – The flexibility to swap public holidays to suit your cultural celebration preferences, and the option to purchase up to five additional days of annual leave.
- Tools to thrive – High-quality, firm-provided technology, including a mobile and plan, so you can stay connected and do your best work.
How to apply
To apply, please submit your CV and academic transcript.
We believe in enabling a supportive and inclusive workplace for everyone. Please click here for further information about Russell McVeagh's diversity and inclusion vision and commitment.
Our firm is invested in achieving transformational change and having a positive impact – our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Report captures our firm's progress on our commitment to helping to shape a sustainable and thriving Aotearoa New Zealand. You can read our 2025 report, 'Contributing to Aotearoa New Zealand | Te Whai Koha ki Aotearoa' here.
For more information, or to have a confidential discussion about this position please email Sarah Carrel on [email protected]
Skills Required
- Legal qualification
- 1-4 years' post-qualification experience
- Experience or desire to focus on restructuring and insolvency matters
- High-quality CV and academic transcript
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong analytical skills
- Ability to work independently and think critically
- Ability to build connections and work collaboratively
What We Do
Russell McVeagh is one of New Zealand's premier and largest commercial law firms, with offices in Auckland and Wellington. Regarded as a go-to team for complex legal problems, the firm operates on the cutting edge of legal practice. It provides extensive expertise across various sectors, including banking, finance, corporate advisory, litigation, real estate, construction, and competition and regulatory law.
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