New Zealand Graduate Recruitment 2026 New Zealand Graduate Recruitment 2026

© 2026 Dentons. All rights reserved. Attorney Advertising. Dentons is a global legal practice providing client services worldwide through its member firms and affiliates. This website and its publications are not designed to provide legal or other advice and you should not take, or refrain from taking, action based on its content.

Next level opportunities for next level individuals.

Let's see what we can do together.

What are you waiting for?

Your spark.

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Dentons is united across more cultures and geographies than any other global law firm – with a community of more than 5900+ lawyers, across 80+ countries and 160 locations. Not only do we have access to a global talent pool of experts, but we also have the best-in-class legal technology, keeping us one step ahead and delivering a new standard of excellence to our clients. But it’s not only our clients who matter. Dentons is a place where making a meaningful difference is possible. We believe in putting people first and showing up for our communities. We are passionate about making a difference in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Our stage.

Each of us brings unique qualities, shapes our own personal path and contributes to redefining possibilities, together, everywhere. Everything we do is made possible by our people. And as we look to the future, we know that achieving our ambitions depends on our ability to grow, support and connect them. Dentons is a firm steeped in heritage, with a vision to shape the future. Right now, we’re on the lookout for challengers to join us on this journey. We’re looking for individuals who are driven to test how far their abilities can take them – those who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. In return, Dentons promises to recognise your potential, invest in your growth and reward your impact – at every stage of your journey.

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Summer Clerk applications are open on Tuesday, 3 March 2026 at 9.00am

Apply now

Let’s take it on together.

The future is for all of us.

Our Team

Dentons is one global law firm, embedded in a polycentric model. This means our full service commercial law firm is locally led, with offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. You can learn more about our practices below:

Are at the heart of what we do

Our Values

Across the Dentons network of firms, we believe that diversity and inclusion are vital – for the success and strength of our Firm, and for the quality of the advice and representation we provide to our clients.

Our Social Impact Groups

Our Team

Our Values

Our Social Impact Groups

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Banking and Financial Markets

Corporate

Employment

Environment and Planning

Intellectual Property

Litigation and Public Law

Major Projects and Construction

Private Wealth

Real Estate

Tax

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Collaboration

Excellence

Commitment

Confidence

Doing what we say we'll do, including whatever it takes to get the job done

Working together to achieve the best outcomes for you

Showing confidence in ourselves and in each other, to help you succeed

Consistently demonstrating quality in our advice and our service

Graphic showing all our social value impact groups and the areas that they fall under. These are: Pro Bono, Social, Green Team, Gender, Wellness,Cultural Competence, Able and GLOW.

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Working at Dentons

Summer clerk recruitment

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We believe connection is built into how we work, lead and grow – connection is what creates belonging. At Dentons you can show up authentically, feel included and experience mutual respect. No matter your role, background or perspective, you belong here. This is represented by our Social Impact Framework and Diversity Vision Statement. We believe each of us has a responsibility to contribute to the positive development of the communities in which we operate. Our Social Impact Framework brings together all of our inclusion and diversity, cultural and corporate social responsibility initiatives, and is employee-led – with executive sponsors from within the partnership and senior leadership.

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Our Team

It's your career, do it your way.

Great things come to those who seize them.

The Summer Clerk Experience

Summer Clerk Recruitment Journey

Introduction

Building a law firm poised to lead the future requires exceptional people – we call them “challengers”.

Here’s a snapshot of your recruitment journey Applications open March 2026 for 2026/2027 Clerkships

Summer Clerk Recruitment Journey

Summer Clerk Recruitment

If you are ambitious and ready to take on significant challenges from day one, we’d love to hear from you. Summer Clerks join us for a 12-week period from November to February and enjoy a paid three-week break during our summer shutdown period (one of the many benefits of working at Dentons!) Our Summer Clerk programme enables you to realise your ambitions – to challenge yourself, take on opportunities to break tradition and assist your team in achieving results, while growing professionally. We provide our Summer Clerks with the opportunity to rotate between two teams during their time at the Firm. This provides a broader understanding of the work we do and how our teams operate. But it’s not just about doing legal work; it’s also about being part of our team and building networks. To shape, define and lead the future of law. You will be assigned a supervising partner, a buddy and a great professional team to support you throughout your summer at the Firm. Your buddy will help you with day-to-day questions and concerns. And your social life will be busy!

You will rotate through two practice areas during your Clerkship. During these rotations you will have a Supervising Partner who will work closely with you and review your work. At the end of your rotation, we will gather valuable feedback from the team you worked with and have a discussion about your development. At Dentons, we offer a competitive remuneration package along with benefits that will make a positive difference to your work/life balance.

The Summer Clerk Experience

As a Summer Clerk, you will enjoy

$1,000 clothing allowance for all new Summer Clerks

Payment over the three-week summer shutdown period – enjoy summer while you get paid!

A buddy to support you throughout your Summer Clerkship

Regular social events, including Friday Fives, sporting and charity events, family Christmas parties, as well as team and firm end-of-year functions

Dedicated wellness programme including EAP support

What experience are you looking for in Summer Clerk applications? We are looking for a variety of experience, including membership to extra-curricular groups, work experience and volunteering roles. However, we look at applications on a case-by-case basis so include anything you might feel is relevant. How long should my CV be? 1-2 pages of concise experience. What type of grades do I need to have?While academic results are important, they are only part of the picture. We also look at extra-curricular activities. A strong application would have B+ average and above, however, we commit to reviewing every application, so if you think you have great experience but your GPA is below this, please still apply! Will you be accepting applications for Graduate positions? Yes, we are always interested in seeing Graduate applications. Please follow the same process for applying, but clarify that you are interested in a Graduate role. We will be in touch with Graduates, should a position within the Firm become available. Are you accepting applications from those NOT in their penultimate year? We don’t consider applications from people not in their penultimate year of their degree. Our Summer Clerk process allows for you to rotate through two practices and if an offer is made for a law graduate position, this is a permanent position in one of our practices. We believe that the connections you make with those you clerk with are invaluable, so we like to ensure that those who clerk with us will be available to return as Graduates the following year. If I clerk with Dentons, will I be guaranteed a Graduate position? Offers for graduate positions are always made based on your performance over the summer, fit and future business needs. Can I defer my start date for a Graduate position? This would be assessed on a case-by-case basis dependent on the expected timeline of Graduation and business needs. Preparing for your interview We want to get to know you, and we want you to get to know us and understand how we work and what we do! Bring your authentic self, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and demonstrate curiosity. However, we have outlined out some tips to help you. When preparing for an interview, think of the three P’s

Someone who does what they say they'll do and is willing to help others. Individuality is prized just as much as willingness to collaborate or take responsibility. You will likely have a record of work experience (paid or voluntary), team involvement, great academic grades, and have experienced challenges and successes – both academically and in employment. Our promise to you We work hard to offer Summer Clerks a great environment for working and learning, and we will help you develop so that you add value to the team. When we make you an offer, we recognise you as a person who can add value to our Firm through your confidence, talent and creativity. If you are committed to fast-tracking your future, be assured that summer clerking with Dentons will give you what you need as you take the first steps in forging your career.

Here’s what we are looking for

If the interview is virtual, plan in advance which room you will set yourself up in. The best place is a quiet room with few distractions that is clean and tidy! Make sure you test your technology in advance too. If the interview is in person, plan in advance your travel arrangements and ensure you allow yourself plenty of time to maintain composure. For both virtual and in person interviews, plan what you will wear on the day and where you will have the interview. Think clean, tidy and professional.

Plan

You will get a lot of value out of rehearsing your answers to the behavioral based questions out loud or with a friend! Just like preparing for an exam, practicing your answers makes it easier to remember when put on the spot.

Practice

This is your opportunity to help take us from the largest law firm to the leading one. From the present to the future.

At Dentons, we redefine possibilities. Together. Everywhere.

You are empowered to connect – to build relationships and collaborate across cultures, disciplines and perspectives, and to feel a sense of belonging in our global community.

You are supported to grow boldly – to take every opportunity, pursue your goals and keep learning in a world that is constantly changing.

You are trusted to own your impact – to take pride in delivering high performance outcomes, while also caring for yourself, for one another and for the clients and communities we serve.

That’s because at Dentons

You are encouraged to lead the future – to be part of shaping what is next for our firm, our profession and for the generations who follow.

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To belong at Dentons.

To be Destined for Dentons.

This shared commitment is what it means to be part of Dentons.

Dentons’ Recruitment Process: Tips and Tricks

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Working at Dentons

Summer clerk recruitment

Graduate recruitment

Dentons summer clerk. She has long dark hair and is wearing a blue blouse, she is cut out in front of a white guidepost

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Dentons' Recruitment Process: Tips & Tricks

Dentons summer clerk. He has short brown hair and is wearing a black suit with a white shirt. He is cut our in front of a coral coloured guidepost

Situation – a brief overview of where you were working and when it was. Task – what was your objective? Action – what actions did you take to ensure a positive result? Result – what was the outcome?

Do your research of the organisation and come prepared with your own questions to ask. Prepare some answers to behavioural based questions using the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

Prepare

Dentons' Recruitment Process:

Frequentlyasked questions on your application

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Working at Dentons

Summer clerk recruitment

Graduate recruitment

Early April If we would like to get to know a little more about you, we may ask you to complete a one-way video interview.

March 2026 Catch up with our HR team and Partners at University recruitment events throughout March to hear more about our Summer Clerk Programme.Applications Open – Tuesday 3 March 2026 at 9.00amApplications Close – Tuesday 24 March 2026 at 12.00pm

Thursday, 14 May 2026 Meet the Firm Day.An opportunity for you to come to our office, meet our teams and learn more about Dentons!

Monday, 20 April 2026 – Friday, 24 April 2026 Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and DunedinFirst stage interviews (in-person).

Late November 2026 You will join us as a Summer Clerk and be placed into your first team, up until the summer closedown period.

Monday, 18 May 2026 from 12.00pm 2026/2027 Summer Clerk offers are made.

Mid-December 2026 Receive feedback on your progress and begin to think about areas to work on during your second rotation.

November/ December 2026 Settle into your team, join in firm-wide social events and make new connections.

January/February 2027 Spend the second half of your Summer Clerkship in a new team, taking on different work and meeting more of our people.

Late December 2026 – Mid-January 2027 Take a break and reflect on your first four weeks at Dentons. Get ready to come back and join us again for your second rotation.

Late February 2027 Offer are made for 2028 Law Graduate positions.

Mid-February 2027 Receive your final feedback following your Summer at Dentons.

Working at Dentons

From first steps to big strides, we'll be right there with you.

Your skills realised.

Graduate Recruitment

We are always interested in seeing Graduate applications. During the Summer Clerk recruitment timeframes, please follow the same process for applying and outline that you are interested in a Graduate role.

Outside of this process, please apply through our Expression of Interest role found here.

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Working at Dentons

Summer clerk recruitment

Graduate recruitment

Dentons summer clerk. She has long dark hair and is wearing a dark blouse with a dark jacket over. She is cut out in front of a white guidepost

We will be in touch should a position within the Firm become available.

Get in touch

Working at Dentons

Summer clerk recruitment

Graduate recruitment

© 2025 Dentons. All rights reserved. Attorney Advertising. Dentons is a global legal practice providing client services worldwide through its member firms and affiliates. This website and its publications are not designed to provide legal or other advice and you should not take, or refrain from taking, action based on its content.

Next level opportunities for next level individuals.

Let's see what we can do together.

Male graduate with light brown hair, wearing a blue suit and white shirt, with no tie. His image is set in-front of a white guidepost.

Female graduate with long dark hair wearing an. open black suit jacket and white frill neck shirt, with her arm folded. Her image is set in-front of a white guidepost.

Woman graduate with long dark hair wearing a black satin/ silk blouse. Her image is set in-front of a white guidepost.

Female graduate with long dark hair wearing a black suit jacket and white frill neck shirt. Her image is set in-front of a white guidepost.

What are you waiting on?

Your spark. Our stage.

At Dentons, we don’t just offer you a job – we invest in your career. Our Summer Clerk and Graduate programmes are designed to launch the next generation of legal professionals by providing hands-on experience, dedicated mentorship, and real opportunities to make a meaningful impact from the outset of your career. Dentons is the largest global law firm. We are part of a global community of over 12,000+ lawyers, across 80+ countries, and 160 locations across the globe. It gives us access not only to a global talent pool of experts, but also the best-in-class legal technology which streamlines our business and provides substantive advantages to our clients. Dentons is a firm steeped in heritage but with a vision of a different future, and we are looking for challengers to join us in this journey. We believe in being ‘in and of the community’ and are passionate about making a difference in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We look for individuals who are driven to test how far their abilities can take them — those who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo.”

Summer

clerk

recruitment

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Learn more

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Get in touch

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Working at Dentons

Learn more

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