It's that time of the year when you, as budding lawyers, are looking for summer clerk gigs. We’re looking for amazing students who share our passion and interest in Tech, Media and IP to join the team.
It's important for you try a mix of legal work while you're still figuring out how you want to use your law degree. In one of New Zealand’s largest legal teams focused on Tech, Media and IP, our summer clerk programme lets you get a taste across corporate, commercial and litigation work.
We are all about expanding horizons for our clients and each other. You’ll be learning from some of the best Tech, Media and IP lawyers around, with the added bonus of working with clients you’ll know and care about. Our clients include startups, not for profit, NZ corporates and global tech companies.
About our programme
Our summer clerk programme is aimed at students in their penultimate year of study.
Key dates for our 2026/2027 Summer Clerk Programme
What you need
Your CV, transcript(s) and two short videos (recommended 60 - 90 seconds each).
These videos help us get a better idea about you from the get-go. While we do love great production value, we're not expecting Taika quality here.
Video 1: This video is about you (obviously) because who you are, and your fit with our awesome team, is really important.
Video 2: This video is about what draws you to the type of work we do. It might sound a bit self-centred, but as a specialist Tech, Media and IP firm, it’s less about us and more about making sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.
Note: By applying for a summer clerk gig with us, you’re confirming that you are eligible to work in NZ. If there are any conditions associated with this, please flag these to us.
Application Process
Our applications open Tuesday 3 March. Be sure to check back here then for more info about our application process and to get started on your application!
Summer Clerk Interviews & Event
Shortlisted candidates are invited to meet our awesome team at a low-key function at our office in between our two days of interviews. This gives you a chance to meet us all and ask anyone in the team if the firm is as great as it seems (it is). It’s also a great opportunity to have an informal chat (not that our interviews are really all that formal) to get to know you. You'll need to be able to attend the function on 12 May and an interview on 12/13 May.
Summer Clerk Dates 2026/2027
The summer clerk programme starts in November, after you've completed your exams (dates vary slightly each year), and runs through until mid-February. You’ll also get a chance to enjoy some of the summer with a few paid weeks off over Christmas / New Year.
What's On Offer?
Apart from the great experience we hope you’ll have with us, here are some of the other benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Clothing allowance
- Relocation allowance, if you’re based out of Auckland
- Paid holiday over Christmas / New Year
- Exposure to all our practice areas, working across the whole team - Commercial, Corporate, Litigation, IP
- Real work for real clients
- Excellent training, including participation in our professional development sessions
- A very good coffee machine and regularly replenished cracker jar – Cheds are the current favourite
- HGM social events
The Real Deal
Want to hear what summer clerking at HGM is really like? Hear directly from our previous summer clerks below...
- A day in the life of our 2025/2026 summer clerks Reuben Roberts-Taylor and Isla Bremner
- Life as a summer clerk at HGM with 2023/2024 summer clerks Kevin Guo and Ella Claridge
- 21 Questions with HGM’s 2022/2023 summer clerks Madeleine Caughey, Melissa Yan and Josh Ellwood
- The lowdown and lockdown on summer clerkships with 2021/2022 clerks Francesca Wilson & Shania Amolik
- Summing up summer clerking with Alex Buchanan and Ishan Kokulan
Contact Us
All the very best for your application and do get in touch if you have any questions or need more info.
