Law Graduate and Summer Clerk recruitment

At Dentons, we don’t just offer jobs – we invest in careers. Our graduate programme is designed to launch the next generation of legal professionals by providing hands-on experience, mentorship, and real opportunities to make an impact.

With Dentons being a part of the world’s largest law firm, it makes us part of a global community of over 12,000+ lawyers, across 80+ countries. It gives us access not only to a global talent pool of experts, but also the best-in-class legal technology which will streamline our business and provide lots of advantages to our clients.

Dentons is a firm steeped in heritage but with a vision of a different future, and we are looking for challengers to join us in this journey. We believe in being ‘in and of the community’ and are passionate about making a difference in New Zealand.

The people we look for want to test just how far their abilities will take them. Your enthusiasm, confidence and can-do attitude will be called upon throughout the summer.

Once you’ve finished law school, the next exciting step is being admitted. We make this easy for you by organising your Professionals course and admission and covering the costs.

We’ll take care of the details and, on the day of your admission, organise a firm function so you can celebrate this important milestone with your friends and family.

What we are looking for?

You'll need to be a person who does what you say you'll do and be willing to help others. Individuality is prized just as much as willingness to collaborate or take responsibility.

You will probably have a record of work experience (paid or voluntary), team involvement, great academic grades, and have experienced challenges and successes both academically and in employment.

We work hard to offer summer clerks a great environment for working and learning, and we will help you develop so that you add value to the team.

When we make you an offer, we recognise you as a person who can add value to our firm through your confidence, talent, and creativity. If you are committed to fast tracking your future, then you can be confident that summer clerking with Dentons will give you what you need.

CHALLENGERS.
ACCEPTED.

Summer Clerks and Law Graduates

Building the law firm of the future now

Building the law firm of the future requires exceptional people, those who are challengers.

If you are ambitious and ready to take on significant challenges from day one, we’d like to hear from you.

This is your opportunity to help take us from largest to leading. From now to next.

Our summer clerk programme is focused on providing you with ways to challenge yourself, give you opportunities to break tradition and assist your team to achieve results and grow professionally.

We provide our summer clerks with the opportunity to rotate between two teams over their time in the firm, providing a broader understanding of the work we do and how our teams operate. Before the programme begins, we hold a summer clerk seminar series event, so that our summer clerks have all of the details they need to make an informed decision about their rotation preferences.

But it’s not just about doing legal work; it’s also about being part of our team and building networks. To shape and define what law looks like next.

You will be assigned a partner, a buddy and a great professional team to support you over your summer at the firm. Your buddy will help you with day-to-day questions and concerns.

If you're ready to launch your legal career with a firm that’s shaping the future, we’d love to hear from you.

Early years

Our law graduates join us in late February/early March in both the Wellington and Auckland offices. A number will have worked with us as a summer clerk previously, but at times we also look for well-rounded graduates who have excelled in their law degree and have a passion to be the best, to join our team.

Our law graduates are given countless opportunities to learn and develop in an environment that is challenging, forward-thinking, and values all our people at every stage in their career. Our comprehensive graduate programme offers the opportunity to:

• work alongside internationally recognised lawyers
• gain hands on work experience with real work
• begin a comprehensive, structured training programme through NextTalent NZ, starting with our Foundation Legal Skills programme
• a buddy and supportive HR team to help the transition into full time work
• encouraged to prioritise your wellbeing through our wellness programme
• great package and benefits
• enjoy an active firm social, cultural and sporting life.

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