Russell McVeagh
Summer Clerk Programme (Nov 2025)
Auckland, Wellington
Opportunity details
- Internship, Clerkship or Placement
- NZD 50,000 - 60,000 / Year
- Sign-on bonus to cover clothing and other expenses that help you settle into summer
- 30-35 vacancies
- Apply by 23 Mar 2025
- Start date 16 Nov 2025
Russell McVeagh is New Zealand's premier law firm committed to operating at the cutting edge of legal practice. Our award-winning team of lawyers across Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau and Wellington | Te Whanganui-a-Tara are internationally recognised for their thought leadership, depth of experience and ability to translate complex legal issues into client success stories.
Our values of Respect | Manaaki, Curiosity | Māhirahira, Excellence | Whai hiranga and Tenacity | Whakapau kaha reflect who we are and how we work together.
About the opportunity
Applications are open for our 2025 Summer Clerk programme which will run from the end of November 2025 until mid-February 2026. This programme is a fantastic opportunity to learn from the best and gain real work experience in a commercial law firm.
As a Summer Clerk at Russell McVeagh, you will:
- Gain real work experience working with some of the leading lawyers in New Zealand on some of the biggest cases and transactions;
- Participate in a comprehensive induction programme and ongoing training throughout the summer;
- Rotate through two teams;
- Have a wide support network, including a buddy in each team;
- Have a meaningful and enjoyable summer.
A summer clerkship at Russell McVeagh will give you valuable insight into what professional life might hold for you and how you could utilise your education to facilitate action in the real world.
About you
We are looking for students who are in the penultimate year of their law degree (planning to finish university studies in 2026 and start their first permanent role early 2027) and have:
- A strong interest in commercial law;
- A strong academic record;
- Demonstrated leadership or involvement in extracurricular activities, for example, community/cultural/sport/volunteering/work or family| whānau commitments;
- Drive, ambition, and a positive attitude;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
- Share our values of Respect | Manaaki, Curiosity | Māhirahira, Excellence | Whai hiranga and Tenacity | Whakapau kaha.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of employee benefits focused on supporting our Summer Clerks to succeed and thrive, some of which include:
- Market-leading salary;
- Sign-on bonus to cover clothing and other expenses that help you settle into summer;
- Relocation allowance if transferring cities;
- Support, coaching, and considered training and development programmes to assist with your transition into the workforce; and
- Volunteer opportunities and regular team and firmwide events.
Hiring criteria
- No experience required
- New Zealand Citizen +more
- Law, Legal Studies & Justice
- Bachelor or higher
Reviews
Research, drafting, file management.
I'm appreciating everything that I'm learning currently - with the recognition that this is one from a list of many things I'd like to achieve in my career.
Generally, my role involves graduate-level work - researching specific points of law, drafting letters and documents, reading and sorting/collating large amounts of materials.
About the employer
Russell McVeagh
4.3
100 - 500 employees
Law
Leading New Zealand law firm. A dynamic network of legal specialists who are champions for clients’ strategic goals.
Pros and cons of working at Russell McVeagh
Pros
Everyone is so warm and welcoming, got straight into work, treated with respect, the graduate cohort is fun, lots of trainings, HR is very supportive.
The calibre of clients and the opportunities. I have been thrown in the deep end (but in the best possible way), and within weeks I was directly in touch with clients - I gained independence very quickly. I also love the culture here, the team environment is so welcoming and fun, but balanced with really hard work.
The calibre of clients and the opportunities. I have been thrown in the deep end (but in the best possible way), and within weeks I was directly in touch with clients - I gained independence very quickly. I also love the culture here, the team environment is so welcoming and fun, but balanced with really hard work.
Leadership have taken significant steps towards making flexibility a part of our work culture, and there's a big focus on making sure people feel happy and supported while at work.
Cons
Don't think there is a worst thing
Working at a top law firm can occasionally mean long hours that can be mentally and physically tiring, but this comes in waves and support is always offered when this is required.
While I haven't experienced this myself, I presume there will be long hours involved when I have more experience.
The lack of oversight over workload and scheduling. Difficult to know when will be busy.