Where do you work now?

I am currently working in the Corporate Advisory team, however during my Summer Clerkship I rotated through the Litigation and Employment teams.

What kind of work have you been involved with at Anthony Harper?

The firm really makes an effort to get you involved with everything, whilst also taking into account the level of knowledge and experience you’ll have coming out of university.

My team and supervising partner include me in all the work they do, which has been invaluable in helping me learn and develop the necessary skills to work in a corporate environment. You won’t find yourself stuck at the photocopier – you’ll be actively contributing to client matters and collaborating with colleagues at all levels in the process.

What is unique about working at Anthony Harper?

At Anthony Harper you really get the best of both worlds. The firm is large enough to provide juniors with a steady stream of engaging work from reputable clients, whilst still being able to provide hands-on mentorship and support throughout. I have been able to develop myself professionally, whilst also feeling valued and encouraged personally.

Did anything surprise you since starting in law and being at Anthony Harper?

Whilst the knowledge you gain at university provides you with a foundation, the work you undertake on a daily basis will usually be quite different from anything you’ve encountered before.

Every day I gain a deeper understanding of topics I was introduced to at university and am frequently learning completely new things all together. It is a lot of learning but I have always felt well-supported by my team members and colleagues, who have always been happy to explain things to me or answer any questions I have – no matter how simple they may seem.

About the firm

Anthony Harper is one of New Zealand’s longest established and most respected national law firms with offices in Tāmaki Makaurau and Ōtautahi.

Our lawyers are true specialists, bringing years of experience and deep expertise to everything they touch. You’ll find us highly ranked in respected international law directories, and our name behind some of the most complex corporate and commercial cases and transactions of the day.

We are proud of our history that stretches back over 150 years. We recognise that sustainability is an inherent part of continuing our legacy of stewardship so in 2022, we introduced our Sustainability Framework. We have identified seven areas of impact to challenge us to be forward-thinking in the ways we engage with our clients, our communities, our people, and our planet.

These seven impacts are: health and wellbeing, learning and development, diversity and inclusion, our community, our business, carbon emissions and energy, and materials management.

The opportunity

We know there is a big difference between studying and practising law. That’s why our summer law programme is designed to give you a taste of what it’s like to work as a lawyer. You’ll have the opportunity to rotate through and fully immerse yourself in our internationally recognised practice areas, providing the chance to do real work with real clients from the get go.

We are committed to providing you with a unique developmental experience, arming you with all of the tools you need to build a solid foundation for your legal career, while having fun with a great bunch of people. Our programme is 12 weeks and runs from mid-November to mid-February each year. We have a closedown period over Christmas/New Year, and you will be paid throughout this. The closedown period gives you an opportunity to relax and refresh for the new year ahead alongside our people.

While we are seeking applications from students in their penultimate year of study, we welcome applications from any level.

Build your career with Anthony Harper

Applications for our summer law programme open early March and you can apply online here. You will need to provide:

• Your CV
• A cover letter
• A copy of your academic transcript

As part of our recruitment process, you will have the opportunity to connect with and get to know us, as well as giving us a chance to get to know you. You can also come and say hello at the career expos!

Contact: Lou Girdlestone, Talent Advisor, People and Culture, HR@ah.co.nz