As the Office of the Manukau Crown Solicitor, every year we seek to employ law graduates and admitted lawyers from diverse backgrounds who are intelligent, fair-minded, public-spirited, diligent, collaborative and collegial and train them to be the best they can be.
Staff: 4 Directors, 36 lawyers, 18 support staff
Contact: Visit our website
You will be joining a vibrant Crown office in Manukau, well known for its supportive firm culture and commitment to developing its people.
About the firm
KFW was formed in June 2014 as a criminal defence firm. We became a Crown prosecution firm in May 2015 when one of our directors, Natalie Walker, was appointed the Crown Solicitor for Manukau. We are now a firm of 58 staff (4 Directors, 36 lawyers, 18 support staff). By number of criminal cases, we are the second largest Crown Solicitor firm in the country.
We are a diverse and inclusive firm. We have a flat structure with no titles, no budgets and no competition for work. Our cases are publicly important and are shared equally amongst our lawyers. We work collaboratively on all our files. We are a happy, hardworking office with a strong community heart.
Areas of Expertise
We specialise in criminal litigation. As the office of the Manukau Crown Solicitor, we are responsible for the prosecution of all serious crime in the South Auckland region. Our solicitors have extensive experience prosecuting cases of murder, manslaughter, sexual violence, indecent assault, physical violence, drug offending, property crimes and fraud.
We also act for a number of Government departments and deal with regulatory prosecutions, applications for extended supervision orders and parole recall, coronial inquests, disciplinary proceedings, extradition requests, and proceeds of crime cases.
The opportunities for students
We have an annual recruitment round each May for junior prosecutor positions to begin the following February. The role is suitable for recent graduates through to solicitors with three years PQE.
Since 2019 we have also been running a Tauira Māori summer clerkship programme from mid-November until the end of January. Māori law students, with an interest in criminal justice and public interest law litigation, gain an insight into our work through a paid summer clerkship. Through this programme we have been fortunate to employ many wonderful tauira in permanent positions.
We run an observation scheme for law students to come and spend up to a week shadowing our lawyers in Court. This includes observing jury trials, pre-trial arguments, bail and sentencing hearings, and appeals. Students who have attended this programme have found it a rewarding experience, giving them new insight into the criminal justice system and the role of a prosecutor.
Meet Natalie Vaughan
Junior Crown Prosecutor
“Meaningful and practical work”
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
The opportunities for public speaking and testing ideas through a law degree appealed to me. As someone who enjoyed debating at high school, law seemed like a natural next step. I enjoyed how law school forced me to engage with real-world issues and consider things from different perspectives. While law can sometimes feel distant from everyday life, at its core it is about fundamental questions of fairness, ethics and how we relate to one another.
How did you choose your area of specialisation?
I was drawn to criminal law because it can have a life changing impact on everyday people. I enjoy practical work, and the fast-paced environment helps me work around my perfectionism! During university I tried out a few different areas of law, including policy, public and commercial law. Now that I work in criminal law, I find it hard to imagine myself in another area. I ultimately chose KFW for its excellent reputation and the great training and experience Crown prosecution offers.
Can you describe a typical day at your firm?
My day might start with some office work: reviewing a charging decision, writing sentencing submissions, or meeting with Police to prepare files for trial. Once a week I am at the Manukau District Court appearing in the bails list for the day. Other days I might be doing sentencing appearances or appeal work. The thing that I love about my job is there is no typical day – the work is incredibly varied.
What skills do you find most valuable in your current role?
A friendly and collaborative attitude is key. It’s important to be able to learn from your mistakes, be self-motivated and remain community-focused.
How does your firm support professional development and career growth?
KFW has a flat structure; everybody is approachable and eager to help. Even the most junior work requires you to work alongside seniors, which I would do multiple times a day! Any work we produce for filing gets reviewed, which creates a great feedback loop for your development. Progression is often fast, and you’re supported along the way.
You are encouraged to appear in Court (almost from day one!) which accelerates your learning. It’s a great place to develop litigation skills and KFW has an excellent team of talented prosecutors to learn from.
What are the firm’s values and how do they influence your work?
KFW takes its role as the Manukau Crown Solicitor seriously. Being fair and principled is essential, no-matter how big or small the decision, because it affects people’s lives. The firm has a strong commitment to te Tiriti of Waitangi, which is demonstrated tangibly. The KFW team reflects the communities it works for.
How does the firm handle work-life balance for its employees?
Work-life balance is essential to everyone’s wellbeing. While court hours can’t be moved, other things can be flexible and I’ve enjoyed being able to work from home. KFW values its individuals, and there’s an emphasis on fostering a culture where everyone feels supported to live meaningful lives outside of work.
What opportunities for advancement exist within the firm?
Starting out as a junior, there are many opportunities for development. There’s always something new to learn, for example sharpening your court skills and legal research through practice, and moving towards more complex matters like appeals, sentencing, pre-trials and trials. The litigation experience you get from criminal law is unparalleled – for the most part, you’re not trawling through disclosure or staring at a screen, you’re out there on your feet. You also get to develop your soft skills, through relationship-building with Police, victims, witnesses, whānau and defence lawyers.
How does the firm stay ahead of industry trends and changes?
Criminal law is always changing, but the core values of the firm remain the same. We stay up to date with regular seminars on new legal developments, as well as opportunities to go to criminal law conferences.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career at your firm?
If you’re someone who is passionate about working for the community, KFW is a great place to start your legal career. To set yourself up for success at the firm, I’d encourage you to try criminal law papers, reach out to people practicing in the field and go along to sit in court one day! Even if you decide not to start at KFW straight out of law school, it’s a pathway that can still be available if you keep an interest in criminal law. Criminal law has a steep learning curve, but don’t be disheartened because it’s a rewarding journey.