Applications will be open for the month of March, and while we are primarily seeking graduate and clerk roles, applications from any level are always welcomed.
Staff: 27 partners and 100+ lawyers
Contact: Please keep an eye on our website for more information on our summer clerk and graduate programmes. Alternatively, please contact Jess McGowan, People and Talent Manager, if you have any questions.
Wynn Williams has spent 165 years building its reputation as one of New Zealand’s best law firms.
About Wynn Williams
Wynn Williams is a full-service law firm, with an impressive team of experienced and talented lawyers delivering results for corporates, businesses, institutions and individuals, here in Aotearoa and further afield.
A firm of 27 partners and 100+ lawyers across offices in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Ōtautahi Christchurch and Tāhuna Queenstown, Wynn Williams has spent 165 years building its reputation as one of New Zealand’s best law firms.
We’re recognised by clients and peers alike for our expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, local government and environmental law, corporate advisory and transactions, and for our specialist insurance, property, construction and employment capability. Wynn Williams has the largest litigation team in the South Island and has the unique distinction of producing six Judges of the Senior Courts of Aotearoa New Zealand.
We consistently rank in the Legal 500, and Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific and Global independent legal directories. We’re incredibly proud of our heritage, and the honesty, experience and astute guidance we provide our clients.
While our legal expertise is second to none, at the heart of the Firm are our people. We pride ourselves on cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and empowered.
Big opportunities
Participants in Wynn Williams’ clerkship and graduate programmes are mentored by some of the most acclaimed lawyers in Aotearoa, and supported in realising a professional development plan curated for you with your goals and wellbeing front and centre.
Our 12-week summer clerk programme provides truly valuable work experience where you’ll do real work for real clients within the safety of a supportive and invested team. You’ll emerge more confident, more knowledgeable, and more adept. We understand making decisions about which area of the law to go into can be overwhelming, so we structure our summer clerk programme to allow for two 6-week rotations between practice groups.
For our graduates, Wynn Williams is a Firm who places value on knowledge and experience built up over your time at university. Our priority is for you to continue developing your skills and experience alongside those who have spent an entire year curating theirs.
While we’re interested in your academic performance, we’re equally as interested in you as people – your passions, your goals and the mark you want to leave on the world as a lawyer of tomorrow. We also offer a supportive and collaborative environment, with all the benefits that come from being a Firm that is big enough to offer you great work, but not so big that you get lost among a huge cohort.
Meet Nicole Saunders
Solicitor – General litigation
“Where you feel safe and encouraged to share your legal opinion without the fear of being ‘wrong’”
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
I was originally studying and training to be a professional contemporary dancer but had a friend who was studying law. Out of interest I read one of her assignment papers… then a course book… then ended up enrolling the next year. What really drove me was a lack of knowledge of what to do when people ‘wronged’ me or others, and the confidence I felt after discovering the law. I’m a firm believer that knowledge is power. Even now that’s what inspires me.
How did you choose your area of specialisation?
One of my first legal related jobs was at a prestigious barristers’ chambers. I was lucky enough to watch a few of them appear in Court and was hooked from there. The way these intelligent people could explain complex areas of law was beautiful and seemed effortless. There are not many things that provide the same adrenaline rush as appearing before a Judge and convincing them you’re right.
Can you describe a typical day at your firm?
Emails… emails… and emails… just kidding! My typical day can range drastically from reviewing documents, researching niche areas of law and providing advice, to preparing Court proceedings and appearing in Court. I love the variety that the litigation team offers and that I’m always learning new areas of law.
What skills do you find most valuable in your current role?
Time management and communication. When my schedule gets busy it’s even more important to communicate clearly and early, to clients and my team. This manages expectations and keeps everyone happy. You’ll be well on your way to developing these skills through law school. However, for those who find it a challenge, keep working on it like I have. Implement small daily habits that work for you. These skills will keep developing throughout your career and really are a core foundation to your practice.
How does your firm support professional development and career growth?
The Firm, and importantly the partners, recognise that each person requires their own tailored path for professional development and career growth. There is no one size fits all path at Wynn Williams, and that’s pretty unique. The process is collaborative and driven by what you want to achieve. If you have goals of becoming a partner in ten years, then great! But equally, if you have goals to travel and work overseas in three years, then that’s equally as great and your development path will be tailored to put you in the best position for when that time comes. I really appreciate how the Firm views all staff as people with personal and professional lives, and they’re realistic about what that might look like.
What are the firm’s values and how do they influence your work?
People matter, always excellent, and owning it! The values really speak for themselves. When focusing on people at the core of my work – whether that be a client’s goals or desired outcome, who they are, what they do, or where they come from, and even their financial position, this all produces excellent work for each client. From there, it’s easy to own what you’re doing!
How does the firm handle work-life balance for its employees?
With the exception of a few matters that require long hours, we are encouraged to go home at 5:00pm and not work over the weekend. There is a firm-wide appreciation that we all work hard, so equally must rest well and have a life outside of work.
What opportunities for advancement exist within the firm?
Advancement at the Firm is merit-based. If you’re driven and want to progress in the Firm, then there will always be support and an opportunity to do so.
How does the firm stay ahead of industry trends and changes?
Wynn Williams has many international clients and partnerships which places us at the forefront of discovering new industry trends and changes. One of our current projects that have evolved from this is the incorporation of AI into our firm and day-to-day practice.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career at your firm?
Choosing where you work needs to be a conscious choice, not just because there’s an opening and an income. If you can find people that align with your values, who inspire you, and respect your learning journey both personally and professionally, you’ll set yourself up for an enjoyable career. I can confidently say I’ve found that at Wynn Williams.
Meet Emma Burns
Solicitor – Resource Mangement
“Where the pursuit of professional excellence isn’t measured by your finish time”
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
I was initially attracted to the profession by the idealism of the rule of law, and throughout law school, an appreciation for the law’s constant evolution. It derives authority from lessons of the past and looks forward with a hopeful optimism. The potential of the law to empower people aligned with my conviction that access to justice should not be conditioned to circumstances outside of a person’s control.
How did you choose your area of specialisation?
I settled in resource management and local government through a process of elimination. Academically, I’d always been interested in the intersection between law and politics, so in many ways it was the best of both worlds, combining the structure of private practice with the innovation of policy and public participation.
Can you describe a typical day at your firm?
The variety of clients we work for, both private and local government, means no two days at Wynn Williams are the same. One day I could be drafting legal submissions, another I could be reviewing a proposed plan change.
What skills do you find most valuable in your current role?
As a newly admitted lawyer, resilience and adaptability sustained my transition from law school to legal practice. These are skills nurtured through law school and put to the test from day one.
How does your firm support professional development and career growth?
Thankfully, the Wynn Williams culture is far from ‘sink or swim’. Our professional development is supported by a tailored plan revisited regularly throughout the year and the firm is upfront about the path to advancement. In tandem with goal-driven development, the firm hosts junior-specific and firm-wide trainings intended to keep us ahead of industry developments and equip us with the practical skills needed to excel.
What are the firm’s values and how do they influence your work?
‘Always excellent’, ‘owning it’ and ‘people matter’. These values serve as a reminder that quality outcomes cannot be separated from compassionate service.
How does the firm handle work-life balance for its employees?
Wynn Williams centres its people, its clients, and the community it forms as part of initiatives such as a wellness day and a wellness allowance. A 5:00 pm finish is the norm, not the exception.
What opportunities for advancement exist within the firm?
Advancement at the Firm is merit-based and supported by clear criteria which reflect the Firm’s values. Our professional development plans are tailored with this in mind to ensure we gain exposure to the expertise needed to advance in our practice area.
How does the firm stay ahead of industry trends and changes?
Wynn Williams is an active participant at industry events and conferences. We are encouraged to attend events relevant to our practice area, allowing us to expand our network and engage with new debates as they emerge.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career at your firm?
To trust your instincts and be honest about your goals, you rarely go wrong being your authentic self.