Commercial Property Lawyer

Job Title: Commercial Property Lawyer (In-House)
Location: 137 Quay Street, Auckland
Reports To: Director
Date: July 2025

About the Role

Stonewood Group is seeking a commercially astute, hands-on Commercial Property Lawyer to join our in-house legal team. This mid-level role (4–7 years PQE) is suited for a proactive and adaptable legal professional who can support our diversified property and infrastructure businesses across New Zealand. The role encompasses commercial property, construction, leasing, refinancing, and franchise-related legal work, alongside a strong emphasis on using AI tools to enhance legal efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Legal & Commercial Work

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of legal documents including:
  
  
  
  • Sale & purchase agreements, commercial leases, licensing documents
  
  
  • Construction contracts (NZS3910), consultant agreements, and procurement terms
  
  
  • Development and franchise agreements
  
  
  
  


• Conduct legal due diligence for acquisitions and development projects


• Advise on planning, zoning, and regulatory matters impacting property assets

Banking, Refinance & Capital Support

• Manage legal documentation for bank funding and refinancing activities


• Support the finance team on facility agreements, securities, guarantees, and covenant compliance


• Liaise with lenders, external lawyers, and advisors to ensure successful funding execution

Franchise & Operational Support

• Provide legal guidance for franchise and licensee agreements within Stonewood Homes and Urban Hub


• Support onboarding, compliance, renewals, and operational obligations of franchisees


• Assist in resolving franchise-related legal queries and risks

Technology & Legal Process Automation

• Use AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) to support document generation, legal research, and internal workflows


• Partner with the Head of AI & Automation to pilot new legaltech tools

Risk & Governance

• Identify legal risks and provide strategic mitigation recommendations


• Advise on commercial deal structures, indemnities, and statutory obligations


• Manage pre-litigation disputes and liaise with external counsel as needed

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Contract Turnaround: Timely execution of contracts supporting business units


• Banking & Refinance Support: Delivery of accurate legal input into finance and funding processes


• Risk Management: Clear identification and mitigation of legal risks across transactions and operations


• AI & Legal Tech Enablement: Use of digital tools to automate or streamline legal tasks


• Stakeholder Satisfaction: Effective communication and support for internal teams


• External Counsel Efficiency: Cost-effective use of third-party legal services

Skills & Experience

Must-Have

• New Zealand admitted lawyer with 4–7 years PQE in commercial property or construction law


• Strong drafting and negotiation skills for commercial contracts and leases


• Experience with NZS3910 or equivalent construction contracts


• Familiarity with refinancing and bank security documentation


• Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities

Nice-to-Have

• Experience in franchise businesses or joint venture structures


• LegalTech or AI tool usage in daily practice

What Success Looks Like

• Trusted legal partner to the Group's property, finance, and project teams


• Reduced contract turnaround times and improved document quality


• Efficiently managed bank refinancing and legal compliance


• Enhanced internal legal capabilities through AI integration and automation

About Stonewood Group

Stonewood Group is a private investment group with a diversified portfolio in real estate, renewable energy, infrastructure, franchising, and hospitality. With over $800 million in assets under management and a goal of building a $2 billion platform by 2029, we seek professionals who are entrepreneurial, forward-thinking, and aligned with our growth mindset.