Job/clerkship opportunities

Early Careers Coordinator
Bell Gully

Position details
Employment type: Graduate role, eight-month fixed-term contract.
Location: Wellington

About the company
Bell Gully is a leading New Zealand law firm. We work together to achieve exceptional outcomes for, and long-term relationships with, our clients, people and communities. We are committed to excellence and developing our people to achieve their best and are looking for individuals who are like-minded aspirational people.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a hands-on role in attracting, welcoming and developing the next generation of legal talent at Bell Gully. Based in our Auckland office at Commercial Bay, you will join our HR team on an 8-month fixed-term basis and help create an outstanding experience for our summer interns and graduates—from their first interaction with the firm through to induction, development and admission.

Working closely with the Early Careers Advisor, Wellington Senior HR Advisor and Graduate Recruiting Partners, you will help deliver our early careers programmes consistently across the firm. Your work will span graduate recruitment, university engagement, graduate induction and admission, the summer intern programme, sponsorship activities and events—giving you the chance to build relationships, coordinate memorable experiences and see the direct impact of your contribution.

About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to play a hands-on role in attracting, welcoming and developing the next generation of legal talent at Bell Gully. Based in our Auckland office at Commercial Bay, you will join our HR team on an 8-month fixed-term basis and help create an outstanding experience for our summer interns and graduates—from their first interaction with the firm through to induction, development and admission.

Working closely with the Early Careers Advisor, Wellington Senior HR Advisor and Graduate Recruiting Partners, you will help deliver our early careers programmes consistently across the firm. Your work will span graduate recruitment, university engagement, graduate induction and admission, the summer intern programme, sponsorship activities and events—giving you the chance to build relationships, coordinate memorable experiences and see the direct impact of your contribution.

In this varied and rewarding role, you will:

• Maintain clear project plans, records, logistics and early careers process mapping and documentation
• Support reporting, briefing materials, communications, sponsorship administration and post-programme evaluation
• Coordinate activity associated with careers fairs, interviews, events, offers and other on-campus events
• Coordinate the graduate admission process, including regalia, Law Society liaison, event arrangements, and graduate documentation and process requirements
• Use approved AI and technology tools for drafting, scheduling, checklists, document preparation, reporting and process efficiency
• Use approved AI and technology tools to improve drafting, scheduling, checklists, document preparation, reporting and process efficiency.

About you
What you will bring:

• Strong administration, coordination, or event support experience
• Excellent attention to detail, clear communication skills, and the ability to manage competing deadlines during busy periods
• Tech savviness. You will have confidence using Microsoft 365, recruitment systems, and approved AI tools to support administration and communication
• Sound judgement when handling confidential information, along with a positive, flexible, and service-focused approach
• The energy and organisation to thrive in a fast-paced environment and an interest in helping early-career talent succeed

It would be an advantage if you have a Professional services or law firm background.

How to apply
If you are excited by the opportunity to help, bring talented summer interns and graduates into Bell Gully and support their development at the beginning of their careers, we would love to hear from you. Please apply with a cover letter and CV. For more information or a confidential conversation, contact Tanya Myers on 021 333 810.

Judges Clerks 2028
Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court

Position details
Application close date: 03 February 2027
Employment type: Fixed-term, full-time

About the roles
Positions as Judges' Clerks in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal principally involve working with a single judge, although clerks may also undertake work of a more general character for other judges of those Courts. In the High Court, clerks typically work with two judges, although some may be assigned to a single judge. Some High Court clerks may be asked to travel on circuit with their judges. 

The role of Judges' Clerk is to undertake legal research at the direction of the judge or judges to whom they are allocated. Clerks prepare written legal opinions and collate authorities on specific points of law. They provide comments to judges on draft judgments and proofread those judgments for error before delivery. Clerks also write summaries of recent court decisions and provide analysis of issues arising in particular appeals or first instance hearings undertaken by the judges of the courts in which they work. They may also assist with the preparation of speeches and undertake some administrative tasks for their judges. 

Many participants in the court system are vulnerable, and many experience the effects of intergenerational trauma. This can be distressing. Potential candidates should be aware that some of the material clerks are required to work on may be graphic and confronting, particularly in the criminal jurisdiction. Support services are available to assist clerks in managing exposure to such material.

When recruiting clerks, the judges will be looking, as far as is consistent with the attributes necessary for the role, to make diverse appointments, including diversity of background, experience, and subject knowledge. The attributes the judges will be looking for include:

• A high level of academic ability
• Proficiency in legal research, although an Honours degree is not essential
• Commitment to upholding human rights and dignity, including gender, ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural equity
• Cultural competence, including knowledge of and a commitment to Te Tiriti and an understanding of tikanga
• A sound understanding of the role of the judiciary within the constitution of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the importance of judicial independence
• An absolute commitment to confidentiality
• Strong organisational skills and proven ability to prioritise and manage workflows
• The ability to handle important relationships with skill and sensitivity
• A professional and focused approach to work
• An ability to cope with stress
• Self-motivation and initiative
• The ability to grasp unfamiliar concepts quickly
• Lateral and critical thinking ability
• The ability to work co-operatively with colleagues and court staff
• The ability and commitment to produce quality work consistently and often under tight deadlines
• A broad legal education, preferably including Evidence and Company Law

How to apply
Applications must be submitted through the Ministry of Justice careers website no later than 03 February 2027. 

Find more information about these roles and how to apply on the Ministry of Justice Careers website.

Law Clerk
Jennifer Mills and Associates 

Position details
Application close date: Friday 11 December 2026
Employment type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Auckland CBD

About the company and the role
We have an opportunity to join our highly regarded boutique employment, health and safety and litigation law firm practice based in Auckland’s CBD. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join one of New Zealand’s leading employment law firms.

The successful candidate will work closely with one of New Zealand's leading employment lawyers and will be involved in leading and complex cases with premium clients. Our team advises medium to large corporates on their rights and responsibilities under New Zealand employment law, including the Employment Relations Act, Health and Safety at Work Act, Privacy Act and other related legislation.

The team is friendly, approachable and works together closely on issues. This provides an excellent opportunity to be involved in interesting and challenging work, as well as providing a fantastic platform for continued learning and career development. 

About you
The successful candidate will have:

• A minimum B+ GPA
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Research skills
• Strong computer literary
• Great time management skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• A keen interest to work in employment law

The successful candidate would be in their final semester and available to commence full-time this year.

How to apply
Please send applications (CV, cover letter, academic transcript and a recent piece of writing/work) by email only, to Jennifer Millson jennifer@jennifermills.co.nz

Application deadline: Friday 11 December 2026

Internship
Matthews Law

Position details
Application close date: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Employment type: Part-time, Internship
Location: Auckland CBD

About the company
Matthews Law (ML) is a specialist competition law firm established in 2013 by Andy Matthews. We are internationally recognised market-leaders in competition law (antitrust), economic regulation and consumer law. We are also recognised in TMT and aviation matters. Andy is one of New Zealand’s most experienced competition law practitioners – rated Band One by Chambers and Partners since 2003 and is a several-time Lexology Thought Leader. ML is one of only three NZ firms ranked in Global Competition Review’s GCR100 Elite category.

We are involved in many significant matters in our area, covering contentious and non-contentious matters, from merger control to cartels and investigations, to strategic advisory work, and market studies. We work in most economic sectors and are constantly learning about new industries and issues. Our work is interesting and often high profile. Much is for sophisticated local or international clients (including other law firms and multinationals).

About the role
This is a part-time internship role on a casual basis (one to two days a week, with potential for more depending on our work) based in Auckland CBD. Up to two positions may be available. For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to develop into a permanent graduate position.

About you
You will be a final-year law student (penultimates and recent graduates undertaking their Professional Legal Studies Course are also encouraged to apply) eager to learn and develop, with a great attitude. Our flat and agile structure means you have every opportunity to develop quickly and provide real input into the work we do with our clients.

The successful applicant will have:

• Strong AI-native skills and be tech savvy, ideally with experience in applying AI or creating systems/agents to workflows
• A background in economics and/or competition law
• Intellectual curiosity, preferably evidenced by an excellent academic record
• Excellent lateral thinking and written communication skills
• Genuine interests in, and be willing to develop an understanding of, the intersection of economics and law
• Above all, a great attitude.

How to apply
Please send your cover letter, CV and academic transcript to michael.lim@matthewslaw.co.nz

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Gascoigne Wicks

Position details
Employment type: Graduate role
Location: Marlborough

About the role
Enjoy the benefits of a Marlborough lifestyle while building an exceptional legal career! We have an exciting opportunity for a commercially oriented law graduate who is looking to build their career in beautiful Marlborough. Working closely with a highly experienced partner, you will receive hands-on mentoring, valuable exposure to a broad range of legal work, and the support needed to develop your skills and confidence as a lawyer.

How to apply
Please send CV, cover letter, academic transcript (unofficial is acceptable at this point in time) to our Practice Manager, Terri Thiel.
Email: tthiel@gwlaw.co.nz

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Intern vs volunteer – what’s the difference? 

Thinking about an internship or volunteering? This quick guide explains the key differences – including when internships should be paid in NZ – so you know your rights and what to expect.

Visit Employment New Zealand for further information.

Pay and wages

Employees work in exchange for some form of payment. Pay can include wages, salary, commission and piece rates.

Visit Employment New Zealand for information about types of pay and the minimum wage.