Summer Clerk 2026/2027

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 | Tamaki Makaurau, Wellington | Te Whanganui-a-Tara and the South Island | Te Waipounamu 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 | Mahirahira, Excellence | Whai hiranga and Tenacity | Whakapau kaha reflect who we are and how we work together.

About the opportunity

Applications are open for our 2026 Summer Clerk programme which will run from mid-November 2026 until mid-February 2027. This programme is a fantastic opportunity to learn and work directly with some of the best lawyers in the country, and is an amazing way to get real insight into commercial law.

As a Summer Clerk at Russell McVeagh, you will:

• Gain invaluable work experience working with some of the leading lawyers in New Zealand on some of the biggest cases and transactions;


• Be set up with success with a comprehensive induction programme, practical workshops and ongoing training throughout the summer;


• Rotate through two teams - which ensures you gain both breadth and depth of experience; 


• Have a wide support network, including a buddy in each team and a dedicated Graduate Talent Advisor; and


• Grow your legal network, be part of a collaborative cohort and build meaningful connections across the firm. 

Joining Russell McVeagh as a Summer Clerk is the perfect way to launch your legal career. 

About you

We are looking for students who are in the penultimate year of their law degree (planning to finish university studies in 2027 and start their first permanent role early 2028) 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| whanau commitments;


• Drive, ambition, and a positive attitude;


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and


• Share our values of Respect | Manaaki, Curiosity | Mahirahira, 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:

• 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.

Application

Applications close midday 24 March 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 to understand a little more about you in a fair and consistent way. Your answers should not exceed one page in total and ideally should be submitted in a PDF format.

1. What does a typical week look like for you? We're interested in what keeps you busy.  Examples might include study, work, volunteering, volunteering, family/whānau, community, sport, culture, or other regular activities.


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 Summer Clerk at Russell McVeagh?

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 - and our 2025 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.