Law Clerk - Corporate, Energy - Auckland

About Chapman Tripp

Chapman Tripp is New Zealand's pre-eminent law firm. We deliver the highest levels of legal and business performance to our clients - we are strategic, commercial, decisive and personal. We work on transactions that help define New Zealand's future, and as part of our team, you'll be right amongst the action.

About the role

You’ll join a team advising across major energy projects, commercial contracting, M&A and regulatory matters. We work with leading generators, network businesses, energy users and investors on some of New Zealand’s most significant and high-profile energy transactions—spanning renewables (wind, solar, hydro and geothermal) as well as conventional electricity and oil and gas (upstream and downstream). Our work also covers energy storage, hydrogen and new fuels, and the negotiation of complex sector-specific agreements.

You’ll work closely with Corporate Partner, Lauren Curtayne, an opportunity which is rarely available. Lauren advises on major energy projects, commercial contracts, mergers & acquisitions, and regulatory matters in the energy sector. She is particularly passionate about renewable energy – including all of wind, solar, geothermal and hydro power, batteries and emerging energy technology.

Recent highlights the team has advised on include:

• NZ Clean Energy on the sale of its solar projects business in New Zealand to Foresight


• Vector on the sale of its OnGas LPG business and its 60.25% shareholding in Liquigas Limited for $150m


• Eastland Group on the sale of a 50% stake in its electricity generation business to Obayashi Corporation (FinanceAsia Best M&A Deal 2024)


• Eastland Generation on the development of geothermal projects at Kawerau, including TOPP2 project recently commissioned


• generators and major energy users on negotiating PPAs (including geothermal, wind and solar)


• Mercury on its acquisition of Tilt Renewables’ NZ wind farm assets for almost $800m

As a junior in the Corporate team, examples of the work you may get involved in include:

• drafting and reviewing power purchase agreements


• drafting and reviewing agreements for connection of projects to the power grid


•  drafting and reviewing sale and purchase agreements and joint venture agreements


• advice to clients on managing their regulatory requirements in the electricity sector

You will be exposed to challenging and specialist work, you will be working with a partner who realises there is more to life than just work. Lauren champions working in a flexible and sustainable way for all her team – something that, as a mother to three daughters, she also role models.

Being involved and contributing right from the start is great for learning and development, paired with a strong support network and buddy system.  As the successful graduate in our team, you will be given the room to take initiative and showcase your skills, while having a close-knit team to back you up. 

Skills and experience

• Strong marks in your law degree


• A demonstrated interest in the energy sector is essential


• Commercially astute


• Client focused


• Team player with leadership skills


• Strong communication (both verbal and written)

Working for Chapman Tripp:

• Top-tier clients and work


• Inclusive culture and team


• Supportive leadership


• Ongoing learning and development and formal mentoring programme


• Competitive salary & benefits package incl. healthcare and wellbeing allowance

We are a collaborative workplace of smart, passionate and hardworking people, united by a commitment to excellence. Work for Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest partnership and enjoy a firm which has the resources and structures in place for you to do your best work; as well as people who are caring, inclusive and authentic.

For more information about this role, please contact Janki Parmar, Graduate Specialist, on [email protected]