Duncan Cotterill is a full service law firm with offices in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, and Queenstown. We employ over 250+ people, including 150+ qualified lawyers and 48 partners. It is our enterprising attitude that has led us to set up and grow offices in four distinct markets. It's also helped us build an energetic, diverse, and collegial partnership. It is what has attracted enterprising people and organisations to work with us.
As a summer clerk or graduate, you'll gain insight into what it's like working for an enterprising law firm by working alongside our lawyers and partners from day one. We will expose you to a variety of challenging work and our diverse clients from the beginning. You will also contribute to pro bono work that draws on the firm's knowledge and expertise to benefit charities, people, local communities and organisations that align with our core values. We relish the enthusiasm and fresh viewpoints that summer clerks and graduates bring to our firm's culture. We are large enough to offer our graduates a diverse range of work across different specialties but nimble enough to give them exposure to partners, senior lawyers and clients. We offer support for your professional study (at graduate level) and ongoing training and development in an inclusive and supportive work environment.
For graduate and summer clerk positions, applications will open on March 8th, 2024. Our adverts will be live until March 31st, after which shortlisting will commence. You can expect to hear from us in mid-April regarding if you have been shortlisted for an interview, with interviews to follow in the weeks after that.
First round interviews will be held in person or virtual (depending on your location and the location of the office you're interviewing for) and from there, all second-round interviews will be in person. So, if you're not in the city of the office you're interviewing for, we'll aim to get you there!
During the interview process, we are keen to get to know you- what motivates you, what appeals to you about Duncan Cotterill, and what you enjoy about your legal studies. Interviews are also a great opportunity for you to get to know more about us, so come prepared with any questions you may have about life at DC!
Whether you've applied for a summer clerk or graduate position, successful applicants can expect to receive an offer from us no later than May 21st. If your application hasn't been successful, we will also let you know before this date.
We know training is important – so we provide in-house, external and on the job opportunities. Our graduates and solicitors have comprehensive training programmes, tailored to their needs. Our practice groups hold forums to discuss legal issues with lawyers at all levels. And we provide a tailored development programme for our senior lawyers. Plus, we have regular lunch and learn educational sessions from our experienced lawyers.
In the first few years of your career with us you'll have clear progression and milestones to work to as your practice evolves. Progression from Solicitor to Senior Solicitor is generally based off PQE and experience level, and from there, will be based off experience and performance.