Auckland Crown Solicitor Simon Moore, SC, is tipped as a front-runner to become Solicitor-General to replace David Collins.
Dr Collins' appointment last month as a High Court judge has left open the post of the Government's top legal adviser.
Mr Moore would not comment yesterday on whether he was interested in the position and Attorney-General Chris Finlayson said the process of appointing a new Crown Law Office chief executive had only just begun.
Mr Moore and his fellow Senior Counsel Jack Hodder were both considered likely choices when Dr Collins was appointed in 2006.
Mr Finlayson said it could take several months. The post would be advertised and a panel would then assess suitable candidates.
