Practice Manager (Full-Time) – Lawlab NZ
Location: New Zealand
Employment Type: Full-Time
Lawlab, a long-established and trusted Australian legal brand, is expanding into New Zealand. We are seeking an experienced Practice Manager to play a key leadership role in establishing and managing our NZ operations.
This is an ideal opportunity for a trust-qualified, admitted lawyer with strong property law experience and demonstrated people management capability, looking for a stable, full-time leadership position.
Role Purpose
The Practice Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of Lawlab NZ, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and high-quality client service. This is a hands-on leadership role combining practice management, trust account supervision, people leadership, and property law oversight.
You will act as Trust Account Supervisor, lead a team, manage a busy conveyancing and property file load, and play an active role in governance and compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Practice & Team Management
- Lead, mentor, and manage a small but growing team
- Drive a positive, accountable, and high-performance culture
- Oversee workflow, resourcing, and file allocation across the practice
- Ensure efficient handling of a high-volume property/conveyancing caseload
Trust Account Supervision
- Administer all trust accounting functions for Lawlab NZ
- Ensure accurate maintenance of trust records and compliance reporting
- Maintain full compliance with trust accounting regulations
- Provide guidance and training to staff on trust requirements
Legal & Operational Oversight
- Manage and oversee property law and conveyancing matters
- Provide technical guidance on files where required
- Ensure quality control and compliance across all legal work
Compliance & Policy Leadership
- Act as the designated compliance officer for workplace policies, including:
Bullying, Discrimination, Harassment (including racial and sexual harassment), Workplace safety and conduct
- Ensure alignment with legislative requirements and best practice
- Serve as a trusted escalation point for staff concerns
Governance & Stakeholder Engagement
- Participate as an active contributor in management and governance discussions
- Attend and contribute to board or leadership meetings as required as a Director & active board participant
LINZ Trusted Contact (if applicable)
- Act as the designated contact for LINZ, ensuring secure and compliant communication
Qualifications & Experience
- Admitted lawyer (required)
-
Trust account qualified (Stepping Up program completed)
- Demonstrated people management and leadership experience
- Strong background in property law, conveyancing, and file management
- Experience managing or working within a small property or mixed-discipline firm
- Wills & estates experience highly regarded
Ideal Candidate Profile
- An experienced Practice Manager or senior lawyer ready to step into a leadership role
- Someone who has run or owned a small firm and is now seeking stability in a structured environment
- Confident managing both people and operations in a hands-on setting
- Highly organised, commercially aware, and solutions-focused
- Strong integrity with the ability to manage confidential matters with discretion
Why Join Lawlab?
- Be part of the launch of a respected Australian legal brand into New Zealand
- Step into a key leadership role with autonomy and influence
- Enjoy the stability of a full-time position within a growing organisation
- Work in a collaborative and forward-thinking legal environment
