2026 Law Clerk - Litigation - Auckland

About Russell McVeagh

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 and work on Aotearoa New Zealand's most significant and highly complex transactions.

Our values of Respect, Curiosity, Excellence and Tenacity reflect who we are and how we work together. We actively encourage diversity and are committed to the success of all our people.

About the opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for a law graduate to join our 2026 law clerk programme in our Litigation – Consumer Law, Media, Privacy and IP team, based in Auckland.

Our specialist team sits within Russell McVeagh’s leading litigation practice and also works with closely our competition, regulatory and corporate teams meaning the role provides both litigation and commercial experience.  The team is widely recognised for working on some of New Zealand’s most complex, high‑profile and evolving disputes and regulatory investigations. You will be working directly with Partner Joe Edwards, alongside other experienced litigators, advising leading domestic and international clients on a broad range of matters at the intersection of litigation, privacy, consumer law, media, branding and technology.

The successful candidate will be enthusiastic about litigation and disputes work and interested in matters spanning marketing and consumer law, media and defamation, IP, privacy and cyber law, and regulatory investigations and prosecutions.

As a law clerk at Russell McVeagh you will:

• Work with some of the leading lawyers in Aotearoa New Zealand on complex, high‑profile litigation and regulatory matters;


• Be supported as you transition from university to your professional life, including with your professional studies and admission to the Bar;


• Participate in a comprehensive induction programme, 12‑month law clerk development programme and ongoing training;


• Have a wide network of peers and senior lawyers to lean on;


• Work in a busy, fun and high energy team; and


• Have a meaningful and enjoyable start to your legal career.

A law clerkship at Russell McVeagh will provide you with fantastic opportunities for growth while being involved in a variety of interesting and topical work in a supportive, collaborative and social environment.

About you

We are looking for students who have completed their university studies by the end of 2025 and will be available to start in early 2026, and who have:

• A strong interest in litigation and disputes work;


• A strong interest in everything that impacts consumers - advertising, privacy, reputation, misleading conduct;


• The skills and desire to be a key team player from day one;


• A strong academic record;


• Drive, ambition and a positive attitude;


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and


• Alignment with our values of Respect, Curiosity, Excellence and Tenacity.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of employee benefits focused on supporting our Law Clerks to succeed and thrive, some of which include:

• Competitive remuneration package;


• Sign-on bonus;


• Relocation allowance if transferring cities;


• Support, coaching, and considered training and development programmes to assist with your transition into the workforce;


• Annual wellness subsidy; and


• Team charity days, sports days, annual ball and regular team events.

Application

Applications close Midday 16 February 2026

To begin your application with us, please upload your CV, academic transcript and written exercise submission. 

Written Exercise

We have found cover letters to often contain a wide range of information.  Instead, to make it easier for you to know what to include, we just need you to answer 3 questions.  This helps us understand a little more about you in a fair and consistent way. 

1. Tell us what a typical week looks like for you? (This could include your study, work, volunteering, family | whānau, community, sport, culture, anything that you typically spend time doing in a usual week). 


2. What appeals to you about working in commercial law and Russell McVeagh?


3. Russell McVeagh's values are 'Curiosity', 'Excellence', 'Tenacity' and 'Respect'.  Thinking of these values, why do you believe you will make a great addition as a law clerk at Russell McVeagh?

Your answers should not exceed one page total and ideally should be submitted in a PDF format. 

For more information or to discuss this opportunity please get in touch with our Graduate Talent Advisor, Matt Kendall.

We believe in enabling a supportive and inclusive workplace for everyone. Click here for further information about Russell McVeagh's diversity and inclusion vision and commitment.

Our firm is invested in achieving transformational change and having a positive impact – our Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Report captures our firm's progress on our commitment to helping to shape a sustainable and thriving Aotearoa New Zealand.  You can read our 2025 report, 'Contributing to Aotearoa New Zealand | Te Whai Koha ki Aotearoa' here.