Exceptional opportunity to join our 2026 Law Graduate cohort, working with our market-leading Employment team

• High quality and varied work for significant clients
• Fantastic mentoring and support from a team of experts
• Large national law firm with an award-winning culture

Work with the best employment law team in New Zealand!

We have an exciting opportunity for a Law Graduate to join our highly respected and market-leading national employment law practice, based in our Wellington office, reporting to Partner Bronwyn Heenan, and also working with our Auckland based partners and team.  Our Partners are recognised as leaders in the field and head up a large, collaborative team of experts who work together across our three offices.

About our work

Our work offers an outstanding mix of litigation, advisory and corporate support. No two days are the same. Our clients include government agencies, tertiary organisations, local authorities, and major national and international corporations.

We advise on all aspects of employment law — including corporate restructures, investigations, personal grievances, employment agreements and policies, health and safety, human rights, privacy, collective bargaining, and union matters.

As a graduate, you’ll gain exposure to a wide variety of interesting and high-profile matters. Your work will be a mix of litigation-based tasks (such as drafting submissions, research and preparing materials for the Authority and Court) and advisory work (including research, presentations, and reviewing documents such as employment agreements).

About our graduate experience

Simpson Grierson is a great place to start your career. You’ll work alongside some of Aotearoa’s leading lawyers and have the opportunity to get involved in real client work from the start.

This role is for start in 2026. Our law graduate cohort includes people who have summer clerked with us as well as new graduates.  If you haven’t yet completed your professional legal studies, you’ll join your cohort at professionals in January 2026, and join your team in April.

We offer a comprehensive two-year training programme that’s been described externally as “leaps ahead” of the competition. Our graduates don’t have fee budgets, so you can focus on learning, developing, and growing your confidence in a supportive environment.

About our team

Our team has a fantastic culture — supportive, inclusive and truly national. We work closely across offices, sharing expertise and opportunities. Our Partners and senior lawyers are passionate about mentoring and helping you grow. You’ll receive great support, feedback, and encouragement as you build your career.

About you

You’ll be a recent or soon-to-be law graduate with excellent grades and a strong interest in employment law. You’ll have great analytical and problem-solving skills, strong communication and interpersonal abilities, and a proactive, positive attitude. You’ll enjoy collaborating with others and contributing to a team that values excellence and respect. 

Please provide your Academic Transcript with your application. 

About Simpson Grierson

We offer outstanding professional development, a comprehensive wellbeing programme, competitive salaries, and market-leading benefits.
We’re proud of our diverse and inclusive culture and our reputation for putting people first. We make sure Simpson Grierson is a place where everyone feels supported and included — where your voice matters and you can bring your whole self to work.

You’ll have access to a range of employee networks to help you connect and find support, and a host of learning opportunities to build your competencies.  At Simpson Grierson, we’ll support you to shape an exceptional career.