Graduates & summer clerks

Graduates & summer clerks
What to expect

If you’re a law student looking to be immersed in high quality, cutting-edge corporate law, talk to us…

You should be passionate about corporate work, because that’s what we do - we’re New Zealand’s premier corporate law specialists. We pride ourselves on solving complex legal problems which deliver commercially viable outcomes for our clients, so for the right candidate(s) a summer clerk or graduate position with us is a fantastic opportunity. Here, you’ll learn how to find solutions others can’t, and that’s a rare skill.

You will learn your profession from - and be mentored by - some of New Zealand’s most respected corporate lawyers. They are the best thinkers and corporate advisory strategists in the business – the experience you’ll gain will be invaluable.

You will hone your analytical and creative thinking skills, helping to advise leading listed companies, private equity firms, corporates and offshore-based clients and be involved in some of the most challenging corporate transactions in New Zealand.

You can expect to be remunerated above market rates and enjoy some other benefits too. We’ll discuss those with you in person.

We offer a team-orientated and supportive environment where you will be encouraged and valued - without the hierarchy and bureaucracy associated with larger firms getting in the way. We are a genuine “legal family’.

This is an opportunity that few, if any, New Zealand legal firms can match.

Here's what our grads say

  • Associate
    Fletcher clerked at Harmos Horton Lusk before joining us full-time in 2020. The firm appealed to Fletcher as it stood out as different from a standard commercial legal practice. His perception was that the people there were uniquely focused on helping clients solve some of the most complex legal issues with a firmly commercial approach. Here’s Fletcher’s experience in his own words Read more about Fletcher
  • Associate
    Luke joined Harmos Horton Lusk in February 2020. He knew that the people there are at the very top of their game, and regularly work on the largest corporate deals in the country. He wanted to be part of that. Read more about Luke
  • Associate
    Yvonne joined Harmos Horton Lusk in February 2021 after summer clerking with the firm in the summer of 2019/20. She applied for the summer clerk position because she had a particular interest in corporate law, and she had heard about Harmos Horton Lusk’s reputation as one of the leading corporate law firms in New Zealand. She is now an Associate at Magic Circle Firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London. Here’s Yvonne’s experience in her own words.   Read more about Yvonne
  • Associate
    Robbie joined Harmos Horton Lusk in October 2022 from a specialist corporate, commercial and technology firm. He was looking for more complexity and greater exposure to a broad variety of corporate law. He was drawn to HHL because of its excellent reputation as New Zealand’s premier specialist corporate firm. Read more about Robbie
  • Graduate
    Tallara joined HHL as a graduate after summer clerking at the firm. What initially drew her to HHL was her interest in corporate law along with the tight-knit culture which she could sense from the moment she set foot in the HHL offices. During her time at HHL, she has been impressed by the high quality of work and the firm’s unique focus on helping clients solve complex legal issues through a strategic and commercially orientated approach. Here’s Tallara’s experience in her own words. Read more about Tallara
What we offer

Harmos Horton Lusk is innovative, even unique, in the way we support our people.

Your work: You will take part in real client work right away. That experience will come via a rich variety of work which might include complex merger and acquisition transactions, takeovers, capital markets and equity advice, corporate governance advice, foreign investment and a range of other high profile work. You will be encouraged to ‘think outside the box.’

You will support our directors’ dealings with a range of clients, and you will work in a team-orientated environment, developing excellent problem-solving skills as you go.

Your rewards: Your knowledge and expertise as a legal professional specialising in corporate law will grow immeasurably. You’ll learn to be a part of a small, close knit, high–functioning team. We’re looking for the brightest and most enquiring minds, so it’s only fair we reward you accordingly; your remuneration will be above market rates.

Your potential: Harmos Horton Lusk offers an ideal environment in which to maximise your potential. We place a great deal of importance on mentorship and ongoing training, and there will be ample development opportunities for you to advance your career.

Applications for 2024/2025 Summer Clerkships are now open

You will need: Your transcript and your resume. No cover letter?  That’s right – we hire on fit, interest and thinking abilities and we want to get to know you in person. No one-way interview either. For those progressing, we’ll invite you to a two-way team Teams interview, and from there for a smaller group coffee with Associates and an in-person interview with Directors (Partners).

What is the process? Apply by clicking the APPLY NOW button below.  In the subject line, use "Summer Clerk application 2024".  After we have reviewed all applications, you may be invited to a two-way interview using Teams.  At this interview we will be focussing on fit and interest, we will tell you a bit about the firm, and you will be able to ask any questions you have.  This will take approximately 30 minutes.  Following this Teams interview, you may be invited to interview with us in person. Applications close on 28th March.

Key steps in our process are:

  • Stage 1 – Review of your resume and transcript.  We will advise if you are proceeding to Stage 2 by 5th April.
  • Stage 2 – Teams meeting – 30 minutes
  • Stage 3 - Coffee with our Associates and in-person interviews with Directors

We will offer to successful applicants on 29th April.

Apply now