Graduate Solicitor – Payments and Financial Services Regulation null

Your role

Is the candidate a junior solicitor or recent law graduate with an interest in financial services law and seeking to launch their legal career at a top-tier law firm? An ideal opportunity exists to join their market-leading Financial Services Regulation (FSR) team based in Wellington.

The candidate will become a valued member of their close-knit team, which is committed to investing in their professional and personal growth while offering substantial exposure to exceptional clients and matters. The work is demanding, high-profile, and intellectually stimulating. The candidates will rapidly develop and refine their skills through exceptional training, mentorship from senior practitioners, hands-on experience, and their career progression framework designed to support optimal performance.

This team operates across Auckland and Wellington and maintains close collaboration with the Christchurch FSR team, creating a truly national practice. Opportunities to travel to Auckland for team collaboration will arise.

The role:

The candidate will collaborate closely with Emma Geard (Senior Associate), who specializes in prudential regulation (regulation of banks to promote financial stability) and payments regulation. Additionally, the candidate will work alongside other lawyers within the broader Financial Services team. This position is distinctive within New Zealand's FSR landscape due to its primary focus on payments law and advising the payments industry in New Zealand and the Pacific. New Zealand's payments industry is currently undergoing substantial growth, exemplified by the implementation of the Financial Markets Infrastructure Act 2021, the Retail Payment Systems Act 2022, and the upcoming Consumer Data Right (CDR). Furthermore, the industry is actively pursuing several significant industry-led initiatives, such as developing an industry-led open banking solution in conjunction with the CDR and real-time payments capability. The candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to a diverse range of regulatory matters related to financial services, including advising deposit takers, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) providers, and FinTechs.

About you

They value people who bring a different perspective, and who are passionate, curious, and innovative. To be successful in this role, the applicant would ideally be:

• Recently admitted law graduate and up to 2 years PQE within commercial, banking, finance, tax, accounting, consulting or a similar environment
• Interested in financial services law and with a curiosity towards payments and regulatory work
• Someone with a proven academic ability
• Someone who works with high attention to detail and enjoys working under pressure while meeting deadlines
• A good communicator and keen to engage with clients directly
• A natural problem solver – drawing on your ability to identify, understand, and resolve complex issues
• A self-starter who is motivated, curious and eager to learn
• Someone who would thrive in a collaborative, team-based environment

Benefits

A career with the firm offers the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse clientele within globally recognized teams, alongside some of New Zealand's foremost legal experts to influence the future of New Zealand's business landscape. The firm provides a comprehensive suite of benefits, wellness programs, community involvement opportunities, and flexible work arrangements to empower employees to reach their full potential. As an employee, they offer various benefits including:

• Mentoring opportunities and an extensive professional development programme (courses, seminars, CPD and more)
• A range of leave benefits (parental, study, long service leave, and a Buddle Findlay day)
• Flexible working practices
• Regular social, sports and wellness events, charity initiatives, and opportunities to join various committees within the firm (e.g., Diversity and Inclusion Committee)
• Competitive salary, health insurance benefits and an employee assistance programme

To learn more about Buddle Findlay's graduate program, watch this video:

Training & development

Buddle Findlay is committed to fostering a collaborative and supportive atmosphere that promotes professional and personal growth. The firm is dedicated to supporting employees' overall success and offers a variety of development, wellness, and community engagement programs to help them reach their full potential.

How to apply

If this opportunity aligns with the candidate's career aspirations and they are interested in applying, they should submit their CV, cover letter, and transcript.

Source

The following source was used in researching this page:

• buddlefindlay.com/careers/
• buddlefindlay.com/careers/students-and-graduates/