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

  • Robbie Selbie
    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
  • Kelsey Haub
    Associate
    Kelsey joined HHL as a graduate in 2023 after winter clerking at the firm in 2022. HHL appealed to Kelsey because of the quality of corporate work that HHL advises on, while maintaining a small, close-knit team and collegial working style. Kelsey wanted to be involved in some of New Zealand’s leading and most complex corporate transactions, she knew that HHL was the place for that. Here's Kelsey's experience in her own words. Read more about Kelsey
  • Tallara Daldorf
    Associate
    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
  • Yvonne Rothwell
    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
  • Luke Sweeney
    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
  • Fletcher Boswell
    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
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.

2024/2025 Summer Clerkships

Applications are closed. We would like to thank everyone who applied for a position and we wish you well with your studies and your future careers.