My research list

Loading My Research List ...

Save my research

Don't lose any of your research. Fill out the form below and have your research list emailed to you.

Graduate careers

Looking to start your career at a leading New Zealand law firm? Find out how you can join our team through our graduate recruitment programme.

Learn More

The summer clerk experience

What happens during your time as a summer clerk? Find out how our graduate recruitment programme works.

Learn More

People like you

Find out what our recent summer clerks have to say about their time at Simpson Grierson.

Learn More

The graduate experience

What happens when you come back as a graduate? Find out more about how your career will develop.

Learn More

Diversity and Inclusion

Find out about how we support diversity and inclusion.

Learn More

Applications

Applications are now closed.

Learn more

At Simpson Grierson we pride ourselves on being a firm of specialists and innovators. We work with many of New Zealand's blue chip companies and government organisations. Our clients are building New Zealand's future – our job is to find smart, innovative, forward looking people to turn their dreams into reality. Sound like you?

We are on a mission to help bring New Zealand into the future: we are embracing digital transformation; we work on some of the biggest deals in New Zealand; and we are incredibly client orientated.

You'll no doubt want an idea of what a summer clerkship at Simpson Grierson looks like. From day one you will be involved in real work with real clients, and you will find yourself working with some of the most respected lawyers in New Zealand on major projects.

Although our recruitment campaign is aimed more towards a summer clerk level, we are also open to people in their last year to start as a graduate. All you have to do it outline this in your cover letter so we know which programme you're interested in.

In our opinion, it would be hard for your summer clerkship not to be one of the best summers of your life! We would love to help you #createyourfuture.

Discover your passion and follow your intellectual curiosity! 

As a summer clerk you will rotate through two different teams, one before Christmas and one after. Usually, we're able to place you in the teams that you're interested in. This will allow you to explore the practice areas that you're curious about. 

Requirements 

If you’re in your penultimate year of Law School, you’re eligible to apply for a summer clerkship at Simpson Grierson. 

Applications open in March each year and you get to choose whether you want to apply to our Auckland or Wellington office. If this sounds like you, don’t hesitate and apply now! 

Why is Simpson Grierson different?

We are determined to help you create your future by finding the right area for you. You will experience two rotations as a summer clerk and two 6-month rotations as a graduate. That’s right, four rotations in total to help you find the right place for you.

We know that starting a new job is not easy. Because of this we will assign you a graduate as a buddy. They will show you the ropes and give you inside knowledge as to how our firm works.

The experience wouldn’t be complete without some sort of mentorship. Apart from your buddy, one of our senior lawyers will act as your supervisor. This person will help you to understand the nature of the work and will coach you through your time in the team.

We give you the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in your profession and you will have access to our professional development programme.

 

We believe it’s easier to get a grasp of the Simpson Grierson experience through the eyes of our people. Here’s what our most recent summer clerks have to say about their experience. 
Tamara Wimsett "Summer clerking at Simpson Grierson has been so much more fun than I ever imagined. The work is varied and stimulating and it has been amazing to see the practical side of law in action. I learned a lot in a short space of time and everybody I’ve met is friendly, sociable and doesn’t take themselves too seriously. They also come across as intelligent and hardworking people who are passionate about their jobs. The environment is extremely supportive and they provide you with a range of tools and training to help you learn on your feet."
Taha Brown "Simpson Grierson is full of intelligent, vibrant and eccentric people who really make it an incredible place to work. Being a part of both the Corporate and Construction teams exposed me to a wide range of work that broadened my perspective of what life is really like as a commercial lawyer. While sometimes you can be thrown in the ‘deep end’ on a job, there’s always someone to guide and support you. The most rewarding part is when your team genuinely values your input and opinion!"



Dania Alsagoff "Summer clerking has been a very different experience to being at Uni, in the best way. It’s great to see for yourself whether this is the career path you want to take, and the various differences within legal areas. Clerking in the corporate team has been both as I expected and completely unexpected. Everyone was really nice and worked really hard, but made time in their day to check up and explain things to me. It has been a very enjoyable experience meeting everyone and a great segue to make the shift from law school to life after."



Sal Lennon "Over my summer at Simpson Grierson I learned far more than I ever have in a classroom or lecture theatre. I felt part of the teams I worked in, was challenged and stimulated with the work I was given, and proud of my contributions. Perhaps most importantly I was able to see and understand first hand how the law affects clients. I put my experience and learning entirely down to the people at SG – there are so many skilled and experienced people and not only that, they are all incredibly welcoming and extremely generous with their time. In sum - an inspiring introduction to my legal career!"



Nick Johanson "Morning teas at Simpson Grierson are phenomenal. The variety and quantity of food on offer means it’s better described as an early lunch. That’s not all - Simpson Grierson is the only top tier law firm to have viewing decks - which make for great lunch spots and really adds something to social events. The work itself is also stimulating. I found it inspiring to be involved in teams with highly talented and skilled practitioners where everyone was willing to provide guidance and support. A great way to spend the summer!"

Elevate your skills and watch your legal future become a reality! 

When you come back as a Simpson Grierson graduate you will have the opportunity to rotate through two teams. Each rotation will be 6-months-long, which allows you to really experience the nuts and bolts of our legal practice. We try our hardest to place you in the teams that you’re passionate about. Often you will go somewhere new and realise you love an area of law you knew nothing about before.

Our HR team will coach and guide you to take a risk, try something new and ultimately find the best fit for you.

Becoming a lawyer

At Simpson Grierson we know that you take your career seriously so we have a wide network of people to support you at the start of your career.

We have a very comprehensive two-year training programme which has been described externally as 'leaps ahead' of our competition. We can help you be the best you can be.

Training will include enrolling you in your “Professional Studies”, the firm will support you while you complete this last part of your academic requirements in order to be admitted to The Bar.  

We are very well known for our work around diversity and inclusion. We encourage you to bring your whole-self to work as we believe that diversity enhances our business. 

We were the very first business in NZ to be awarded the Rainbow Tick and last year we won the White Camellia Award for gender equality. At Simpson Grierson there is a 0% pay gap between males and females. It’s been this way for three years.

For us, diversity is not just about the differences that you can see such as gender or ethnicity, but all things that make us different such as our social background, values, religion, thinking styles, life experiences, family backgrounds and talents. That's what makes people interesting.

It doesn't matter to us what school you went to or who your parents are. To us, there is no right or wrong side of town. Your sexual orientation doesn't matter. And if you are a mature worker, we'll embrace you just as much as we would our young guns.

What we do care about is your ability to give great client service, no matter which role you are in.

Our values say it all. We:

  1. put people first;
  2. are inclusive; and
  3. strive for excellence.

It's that simple.

Applications open March 2019