Duncan Cotterill
Graduate Programme (Mar 2026)
Auckland, Christchurch, Nelson
Opportunity details
- Graduate Job or Program
- NZD 60,000 - 62,000 / Year
- 10-20 vacancies
- Apply by 29 Mar 2025
- Start date 1 Mar 2026 - 21 Mar 2026
Every year we welcome a group of graduates across our 5 offices. Our national programme is designed to ensure you get maximum support and exposure to a wide variety of work. You will be involved in client work from day one, working together with our solicitors, associates and partners to achieve the best outcome for our clients. Not only will we be eager to hear your new ideas, but we’ll also look forward to learning about the latest research and technologies you have developed during your time at university.
We put a lot of time and thought into making Duncan Cotterill a great place to work - a place that rewards excellence and, at the same time, recognises and encourages individuality. Our graduates are encouraged to get involved in firm social events alongside partners and colleagues at all levels. We recognise a healthy work-life balance as the key to delivering great work and building a strong culture.
Your experience at DC:
- Partner access
- Challenging and interesting work opportunities, including early interaction with clients
- Multiple levels of support from peers, colleagues, partners and other professionals
- Training and development
- Buddy and mentor programme
- Regular constructive feedback
- Great professional support networks
- Great culture
- Pro bono and community involvement opportunities
Duncan Cotterill is a great starting point for many brilliant careers, and our graduates are given the tools they need to become excellent lawyers. We are very proud of our achievement of being voted winners of the Grad New Zealand Top 100 Graduate Employers for the past 3 years.
We are looking for graduates to join us in March 2026. Pre-register now!
Hiring criteria
- No experience required
- New Zealand Citizen +more
- Law, Legal Studies & Justice +more
- Bachelor or higher
Reviews
Helping out with - Sale and Purchase of property - Settlements - Finance - Company resolutions
As a graduate my role is to learn as much as possible and to complete work for a client while under the supervision of a partner. As our office is smaller I have more responsibility and more variety of work than other graduates.
Research, resolutions, bundling, draft emails, memos.
About the employer
Duncan Cotterill
4.3
100 - 500 employees
Law
We value your career. We'll welcome your fresh ideas, include you as part of our client team from day one, and celebrate your success along the way.
Pros and cons of working at Duncan Cotterill
Pros
The firm gets involved in very complex projects and allows grads to be involved in them and provide input into strategy - as a junior, it is cool to be able to observe and contribute to discussions with senior lawyers in that context.
Great emphasis on wellbeing - work-life balance and looking after yourself are encouraged by everyone. It's quite comforting to know that people are genuinely concerned about you.
100% of the people and the work-life balance they promote.
Great mentoring/support. Lots of interesting work. Very social office.
The exposure to a high calibre of work opportunities as well as the firm culture.
Cons
Maybe earning slightly less than grads at other firms. However, the difference is insignificant and not something I'm worried about.
Sometimes things can be a bit disorganised.
Everyone is very friendly and helpful but there's not much out-of-work culture.
Sometimes the level of assistance at work is not as good as it could be.
Grads who live in Auckland and Wellington get paid more than grads who live in Queenstown.