Senior Associate - Tax - 6-8 PQE

Dentons is part of the world’s largest global law firm and a leading firm in the New Zealand market with unparalleled access, not only to international lawyers, but also to sector experts, training, talent support and business development opportunities across the globe. This means the opportunities are endless for our people. Combining international scale with deep local expertise, we are an international business but locally run and operated, giving you the best of both worlds.

About the role:

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Associate to join our growing Tax practice.  Our Tax practice is led by Bruce Bernacchi (Partner) who has over 30 years’ experience advising on a wide range of taxation issues, including domestic and international corporate tax matters, M&A, indirect taxes and employee tax issues. You will also work closely with partners and peers in our firm’s leading corporate, banking, employment, litigation and property law teams as well as colleagues and clients in Australia and across the globe.

We are seeking an ambitious tax professional who is keen to provide tax advice to clients across a wide range of sectors.  This is a tax advisory role (we do not provide tax compliance services to our clients) so your ability to research tax issues and produce high quality written tax advice is key.

Uniquely for a law firm, we also undertake a significant amount of M&A tax work, undertaking numerous buy-side and sell-side tax due diligence engagements as well as providing advice on the structuring and funding of M&A transactions. We also undertake more traditional M&A law firm tax work including sale and purchase agreement reviews and acting for warranty and indemnity insurers.

Our M&A practice is supplemented by providing tax advice across all areas of the firm, with our team regularly required to provide advice on banking and securitisation transactions, real estate deals, employment issues and litigation settlements.  We also work closely with our market leading Private Wealth practice, advising family offices and high-net worth migrants and returning residents.

Our tax practice doubled in size during 2025, both in terms of revenues and personnel.  We’re now seeking a Senior Associate to help drive continued growth during 2026, through delivering outstanding client service and results, and assisting the tax partner with business development initiatives.

Your relevant experience and skills will include:

• Completed Bachelor of Law Degree (LLB).
• 6+ years of experience in the tax practice of a Big 4 accounting firm and/or major law firm.
• Hold, or eligible to hold, a practising certificate.
• Strong corporate income tax experience preferred.
• Experience in undertaking tax due diligence engagements would be desirable.
• Attention to detail, efficiency, collaboration and adaptability.

What Dentons Offer

Dentons is an inclusive people-focused firm, committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for clients and an outstanding firm culture.

We offer competitive remuneration along with benefits that will make a positive difference to your life:

• we invest in our people, so learning and development are key
• lifestyle leave - we recognise that people have busy lives so there is the opportunity to buy extra leave each year
• dedicated wellness programme
• paid parental leave of 26 weeks/5 weeks for non-primary caregiver
• access to free in-house legal advice
• we dress for our day and our role
• regular social events, including Friday Fives, sporting and charity events, annual balls, family Christmas parties, and an end of year function
• an extra paid holiday for Dentons Kensington Swan Day

Diversity and inclusion

Dentons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an environment where everyone respects and supports each other.

We believe inclusion drives diversity and want to foster an environment where our people thrive through diversity of thought and shared experience.

We encourage applications irrespective of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability. 

Application:

To apply, please submit your cover letter, CV and academic transcript.

For a confidential discussion about the role contact Shannon Davis at shannon.davis@dentons.com.

For more information about our Tax practice check out https://www.dentons.co.nz/en/industries-and-practices/practices/tax