Show your potential and shine !
Thank you for your interest in our Graduate Programme. Our vacancies have closed and we are not seeking further applications at this time.
As a stand-out summer clerk you may earn a place on our Graduate Programme. Alternatively we encourage applications to our programme from top law students throughout the country. Graduates are important to the firm’s future and we take your development seriously.
Rotation
As a graduate you will be exposed to a diverse range of legal work as you rotate through at least three of our legal teams of your choice. You may spend approximately four months in each area before deciding with your mentor which team suits you best.
Mentoring
We take great care to provide a mentor to assist with your professional development and career management. Our mentors are Associates and Partners who have a genuine interest in “growing” talent. You will also be introduced to a “buddy” to help you settle in. Your buddy is likely to have been through our Graduate Programme themselves, so they are the ideal person to help with any queries, talk through any concerns, or catch up with for lunch.
Training
As a graduate you will receive a wealth of knowledge, both through formal and informal training. Some of the topics we cover in-house include:
• Professionals
• Ongoing in-house training (delivered by our staff from different legal teams)
• External training with NZLS
• Seminars and workshops
• Networking with clients and other law professionals
Career Path
We understand the investment you have made in your law career, financially and personally. At Norris Ward McKinnon we realise how important your career progression is to you and are dedicated to retaining and developing our stars. Talk to any of our Senior Solicitors and Associates and you will be impressed with the leaps and bounds they have made in their careers while with us.
"NWM has been a great place to learn the ropes of a legal career. The staff, solicitors, partners and support staff, are very approachable and willing to help you on even the smallest problem. The firm prides itself on its staff, which means that you are considered a valuable contributor to all aspects of the firm. The work is great; I had chargeable work to do in the first week, which means that you are doing 'proper' law work, not just stuck behind the photocopier. You also get involved in the firm by doing projects. This is a great way to comprehend how a firm works, and to familiarise yourself with the processes. I fully recommend NWM as the first step in your legal career; great people, interesting work and an exciting learning environment."
Chris Steenstra, Graduate 2005
LLB & B.Soc.Sci - Waikato University
"Joining the Graduate Programme at Norris Ward McKinnon after finishing my Law Degree was the best opportunity I could ask for. The experience I gained from working in several of the firm’s unique teams has provided me with an important asset for my future career. The mentoring I received and the ability to work closely with the firm’s partners and senior staff has been invaluable. This is the only Programme of its kind in the Waikato region and I recommend it to any new graduate."
Phil Hyde, Graduate 2007
LLB - Waikato University
All our lawyers were once graduates too: you can view their profiles by scrolling to the bottom of our teams' pages and clicking on their names:
* Commercial Business
* Commercial Corporate
* Dispute Resolution & Litigation
* Employment
* Family
* Residential Property
* Trust and Estate
What We Are Looking For
To be eligible for a place on our Graduate Programme you need a minimum of three years legal studies. Academic excellence is a given; we are really interested in your potential to demonstrate the attributes we value in all of our staff. By this, we mean an understanding of client service, self-motivation, a “can do” work ethic, strong initiative, and a positive attitude.
So what are you waiting for?! Apply now online
Don’t forget to attach to the completed application form:
* A full CV
* Cover letter
* Academic transcript
* Details of professional referees (at least 2)
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