Our young lawyers are involved in stimulating, high profile projects that require bespoke legal solutions and advice.
Our specialist practice allows us to provide our lawyers with a quality of experience and a level of remuneration which is unsurpassed in the market.
About the firm
Mayne Wetherell is a premier specialist corporate, finance and tax legal practice in New Zealand. We regularly act on ground breaking transactions where creativity, collaboration and an in-depth commercial understanding of our client’s business is required.
Our clients are deal makers who want practical, commercially minded solutions to their problems. They seek us out for our commercial approach to the delivery of complex legal advice and our commitment to quality of service. Our focus on delivering practical solutions ensures that our young lawyers develop business acumen and problem-solving skills to complement their legal expertise.
It is the combination of legal expertise with astute business judgement that distinguishes our alumni on the world stage. In the competitive international job market, Mayne Wetherell alumni continue to secure jobs in top international law firms, companies and banks – a testament to our reputation as a market leader in corporate and finance law.
Working at the firm
Operating as a single team, Mayne Wetherell’s solicitors have exposure to all areas of law which underpin business transactions. Our focus is our clients’ most sophisticated and complex transactional work. This means that our young lawyers are involved in stimulating, high profile projects that require bespoke legal solutions and advice. Our specialist practice allows us to provide our lawyers with a quality of experience and a level of remuneration which is unsurpassed in the market.
Our clients include New Zealand, Australian and multinational corporations, investment banks and private equity funds, including ANZ, Arnott’s, ASB, Auckland International Airport, Auckland Council, Avanti Finance, Bank of New Zealand, Deutsche Bank, Fonterra, Freightways, Genesis Energy, Goldman Sachs, Griffin’s, KKR, Latitude, Macquarie, Pernod Ricard and Simplicity.
We invest significant time and effort into training and developing our lawyers to ensure that they have the breadth of knowledge and experience necessary to surpass our clients’ expectations. For our solicitors, this is the key to driving individual growth and professional development. Time and again, the opportunities provided to our solicitors and associates result in them progressing at a faster rate than their peers at other firms.
Meet Will Dalzell
2024/25 Summer Clerk, Mayne Wetherell
“From day one, I found myself engaged in hands-on work on several transactions and all summer clerks are granted the same opportunity to rapidly learn and grow during their time with the firm.”
One key advantage of clerking with Mayne Wetherell is that the firm does not separate you and your cohort into teams or practice areas. As such, I enjoyed a summer full of a diverse range of work across both the corporate and finance portions of the firm. While the firm specialises in corporate, finance and tax work, the wide range of transactions and clients makes each day feel new and exciting, and I am leaving this summer feeling all the more prepared to tackle a grad role next year!
What makes Mayne Wetherell unique?
Mayne Wetherell is unique for several reasons. It brings together a warm social culture, industry-leading transactions and expertise to form a wholly outstanding work environment. The firm’s focus on nurturing its juniors through consistent training, generous remuneration and hands-on experience set it apart from others in the industry. As a summer clerk at Mayne Wetherell, you feel like an appreciated part of the firm and will immediately find yourself immersed in the firm’s positive culture.
What has surprised you about working at Mayne Wetherell?
What has surprised me most about working here has been the diversity in the kinds of work we undertake. I have never touched commercial law or finance at university so was a bit nervous coming into the firm. However, despite specialising in corporate, finance and tax practice, the kinds of deals and transactions we get to work on are incredibly varied. I have enjoyed learning a wide range of skills and touching on various areas of the law during my time here.
What has been your favourite experience of working at Mayne Wetherell?
My favourite experience so far with Mayne Wetherell has been the level of work I have been exposed to. From day one, I found myself engaged in hands-on work on several transactions and all summer clerks are granted the same opportunity to rapidly learn and grow during their time with the firm. Partners and seniors take the time to explain transactions and ensure juniors understand the importance of the work they are doing in the context of the broader transaction.
What are the social opportunities like at Mayne Wetherell?
Mayne Wetherell is a vibrant and exciting place to work, and this is reflected in the experiences I have had outside of the office. Being a mid-size law firm we have the privilege of hosting a range of events at which you get to know everyone at the firm (outside of just your daily interactions). Over my summer, we were lucky to participate in a Ceramic and Sip event, Friday night drinks, formal functions and more. Mayne Wetherell has a genuine focus on developing its people and this extends to providing opportunities for those within the firm to socialise and build a strong sense of comradery. Outside of events, our day to day is also a lovely social environment. You will feel welcomed and excited to come back to work each day as a summer clerk.
What would you want a prospective summer clerk to know about Mayne Wetherell?
I would want any prospective summer clerk to know how supported you will feel throughout your time with Mayne Wetherell. The firm’s non-hierarchical structure, social culture and excellent quality of work make it the perfect place for anyone to begin their legal career. If you’re not sure whether corporate, finance and tax law are for you (much like I was before applying), don’t let that stop you from giving Mayne Wetherell a shot!
Meet Sandra Jiang
Solicitor, Mayne Wetherell
“One of the most rewarding aspects of working at Mayne Wetherell has been the incredible variety of transactions I’ve had the chance to be part of, due to the way we operate as one team and the non-hierarchical structure of the firm. Each day brings new challenges and learning opportunities, where no two days are the same.”
Mayne Wetherell does not operate as separate teams, but rather as one cohesive team that focuses on a range of practice areas being corporate, finance and tax. As such, I have worked on a variety of transactions, from mergers and acquisitions to finance. The flexibility between the different practice areas has allowed me to consistently be exposed to new and exciting work and ensures that I am proficient across multiple areas of law, which is a benefit especially to someone who has just started in the legal profession.
What makes Mayne Wetherell unique?
We operate as one team on a non-hierarchical structure. This differentiates us from other law firms as you get the best exposure to all areas of law with a range of lawyers in different stages of their legal career. This is valuable especially in the early stages of your legal career as you gain a wealth of knowledge from a range of perspectives and work. As we are mid-sized, we get the benefits of a small firm by having a tight-knit, collaborative environment, as well as the benefits of a large firm by getting to work on large and rewarding transactions.
What has surprised you about working at Mayne Wetherell?
I was pleasantly surprised by the level of hands-on work and responsibility you take on from day one. From the beginning, I was actively involved in the firm’s transactions and there is an abundance of guidance from those you work with, including seniors and partners. The firm genuinely prioritises the growth and career development of its junior lawyers from the outset – there are mentorship and buddy structures in place which creates an excellent environment for growth both professionally and personally.
What do you find most rewarding working at Mayne Wetherell?
One of the most rewarding aspects of working at Mayne Wetherell has been the incredible variety of transactions I’ve had the chance to be part of, due to the way we operate as one team and the non-hierarchical structure of the firm. Each day brings new challenges and learning opportunities, where no two days are the same. I really enjoy how we operate as one team, everyone is valued and it has given me insight into the different styles of practice.
How would you describe the culture at Mayne Wetherell?
A holistic and supportive culture is at the heart of Mayne Wetherell. The environment promotes collaboration and respect, ensuring everyone feels valued and empowered. Mayne Wetherell also prioritises diversity, health and wellbeing, ensuring that we have dedicated events for each. The events and activities are on a regular basis which provides a refreshing break from work, allowing us to connect personally and have a vibrant workplace culture.
What should a junior lawyer expect starting at Mayne Wetherell?
From day one, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate closely with partners on a wide range of transactions. The firm is genuinely dedicated to investing in you as a junior lawyer. The support you’ll receive is truly exceptional, with mentors and colleagues who are always ready to assist you. Additionally, the firm’s competitive starting remuneration for graduates further enhances its appeal, making it a top choice for law students. If you love working with people, want diverse and challenging work, and appreciate support and guidance along the way, then Mayne Wetherell is the place!