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Lane Neave NZ

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4.1
  • #3 in Law
  • 100 - 500 employees

Lane Neave NZ Graduate Programs & Internships

  • Law

The Lane Neave story

Although we’ve been around for more than 150 years, Lane Neave considers itself to be a modern, professional and friendly workplace.

As a national law firm with offices in Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington we offer the chance to work for a big firm, with the culture of a small one. 

We have 26 partners and more than 140+ staff nationwide. Our practice covers eight specialist areas: building and construction; corporate; employment; immigration; lifelaw (ie, private client); litigation; commercial property and resource management. Lawyers can find themselves working in these specialist areas or on more specific matters ranging from aged care, agribusiness and estate planning, to franchising, health and safety, and technology.

We are a truly national firm, operating as a single firm across four locations rather than four separate businesses. This means that irrespective of where we win the work, the work is shared and delivered by the people with the right expertise.

Career prospects

We promise to invest time in really understanding you so you can thrive. We are here to help you develop the career you want and encourage you to follow your passion – you’ll feel supported, trusted and valued. You’ll rub shoulders with people from every practice area and develop a wide range of skills that will help kickstart your career.

In 2023, we won the ‘NZ Employer of Choice’ award in the NZ Law Awards, making Lane Neave one of the top-ranking employers in terms of the overall experience employees have at work. This demonstrates the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and that we promote the personal and professional development of everyone.

We invest heavily in our graduate recruitment, on-boarding and development programme to provide graduates with the best possible start to their legal careers.

The culture

And it’s not just all talk – at Lane Neave we walk the walk, championing principles of equality and diversity that result in a welcoming, friendly and non-hierarchical working environment. There is a formal diversity policy and we have long had a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment and discrimination. Our flexible work policies highlight that work-life balance is not just an important aspect of our culture, it’s baked into the way we work. 

So, we work hard, but we also reckon that it’s important to have a pleasant working environment and a fulfilling life outside the office. And that might mean hanging out with colleagues out of hours, including at weekly social events and regular firm parties, or taking part in activities that are linked to being a responsible corporate citizen (read on).   

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

We have a CSR Steering Group to bring to life our ambitious social and environmental aims, which include a commitment to:

  1. empowering, enhancing and supporting the communities in which we live and work, and
  2. promoting environmental restoration and sustainability.

In addition, all staff are encouraged to get involved with community organisations and raise money for good causes. In 2024, we cemented our commitment to our community, by providing our staff with one paid volunteer day per year, to be spent volunteering in whichever capacity they choose.

Recruitment Process

We want to attract the best and brightest, and then create an environment that allows you to fulfil your potential inside and outside of work. You’ll find information on the careers page of our website or come and chat to us in person at your local Law Career Fair.

To apply for one of our summer clerkships, go to our careers page and upload a cover letter succinctly detailing the set of skills you have to offer (eg, communication, collaboration and natural leadership), as well as a CV and academic transcript. Even if we’re not currently advertising for summer clerks, you can still complete an ‘expression of interest’ form.

If you make the cut, you’ll be invited in for one or more interviews - one of which will be a one-way video interview. You should turn up to the designated office having researched the firm’s values, practice areas and staff.

If you are offered a summer clerkship, you can expect to work with some of the largest companies, strongest brands and biggest projects in New Zealand, and  be involved in some complex cases. If all goes well during the summer, clerks are often offered grad roles for the following year. 

Remuneration & Career Growth

Our Summer Clerks are paid competitively, and also receive three weeks of paid leave over our Christmas/New Year shutdown period.

They are also invited to our attend our all-staff Christmas party in December in Christchurch, where flights and accommodation are covered.

Graduate Reviews

Overall Score
4.1
Overall score based on 18 reviews
They Score Best in…
8.1
Career Prospects
8.7
Culture
8.6
Management
8.1
Recruitment
8.1
Career Prospects
8.7
Culture
8.6
Management
8.1
Recruitment
What Graduates Say About Them
  • Lane Neave is a middle size firm which I believe has the most benefits - they have the resources and capabilities to compete with the large firms and attract good clients, but they are small enough so that you feel as though you know everyone.
  • The people! Everyone is so lovely and genuinely interested in me and what I have to bring to the company.
  • The people. They have no judgement when I don't understand things and truly care about ensuring I have a positive experience
  • Variety in work, decent amount of autonomy coupled with appropriate supervision, constructive feedback and guidance provided by seniors, great teamwork
  • The work flow can be quite erratic. At times I am very busy and other times I don't have much to do
  • Sometimes long hours, initial pay somewhat average.
  • Hours of work can be long or burdensome due to client demand, and Partners can have unrealistic expectations, depending on the team you are placed in

Jobs & Opportunities

Locations With Jobs & Opportunities
  • Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown
Hiring candidates with qualifications in
L
Law, Legal Studies & Justice
Current Jobs & Opportunities
  • Closing in 3 days

Internship, Clerkship or Placement

Auckland, Canterbury, Otago
This is a fantastic opportunity for law students seeking to gain experience in the practical application of law in a busy and friendly law firm.
Applications Close
1 Apr 2024
Start Date
10 Nov 2024 - 21 Feb 2025
Salary
NZD 26 / Hour

$26 per hour (pro-rated for the clerkship period) + Kiwisaver + 3 weeks paid Christmas leave

Virtual Experience

This virtual experience offers insight into what it is like to work for Lane Neave
Salary
NZD 60,000 / Year

Graduate Success Stories


  • Graduate stories
Being able to look into real-life, niche legal issues and form your own opinions about them is so cool.

George Brougham

  • Graduate stories
Being able to look into real-life, niche legal issues and form your own opinions about them is so cool.

George Brougham

  • Graduate stories
I would also be lying if I didn’t say that the location and healthy work-life balance that Lane Neave encourages are major drawcards to my job!

Nicole Mossman-Young

  • Graduate stories
I would also be lying if I didn’t say that the location and healthy work-life balance that Lane Neave encourages are major drawcards to my job!

Nicole Mossman-Young

  • Graduate stories
Being able to look into real-life, niche legal issues and form your own opinions about them is so cool.

George Brougham

  • Graduate stories
Being able to look into real-life, niche legal issues and form your own opinions about them is so cool.

George Brougham

  • Graduate stories
I would also be lying if I didn’t say that the location and healthy work-life balance that Lane Neave encourages are major drawcards to my job!

Nicole Mossman-Young

  • Graduate stories
I would also be lying if I didn’t say that the location and healthy work-life balance that Lane Neave encourages are major drawcards to my job!

Nicole Mossman-Young


A Day In The Life Of


  • Day in the life

Hannah Reynecke

Today that involves issuing statutory demands and letters of demand on, respectively, companies and individuals. I go through the various loan agreements and make a note of what documents need to be served.
  • Day in the life

Hannah Reynecke

Today that involves issuing statutory demands and letters of demand on, respectively, companies and individuals. I go through the various loan agreements and make a note of what documents need to be served.
  • Day in the life

Helena Scholes

Helena Scholes studied an LLB/BA in anthropology, gender studies and politics and is a Law Clerk at Lane Neave.
  • Day in the life

Helena Scholes

Helena Scholes studied an LLB/BA in anthropology, gender studies and politics and is a Law Clerk at Lane Neave.
  • Day in the life

Hannah Reynecke

Today that involves issuing statutory demands and letters of demand on, respectively, companies and individuals. I go through the various loan agreements and make a note of what documents need to be served.
  • Day in the life

Hannah Reynecke

Today that involves issuing statutory demands and letters of demand on, respectively, companies and individuals. I go through the various loan agreements and make a note of what documents need to be served.
  • Day in the life

Helena Scholes

Helena Scholes studied an LLB/BA in anthropology, gender studies and politics and is a Law Clerk at Lane Neave.
  • Day in the life

Helena Scholes

Helena Scholes studied an LLB/BA in anthropology, gender studies and politics and is a Law Clerk at Lane Neave.

Videos


2022 March Job & Internship Super Fair | Lane Neave

Watch this presentation to hear from Lane Neave representatives about what it's like to work for them and in the Law sector.

2022 March Job & Internship Super Fair | Lane Neave

Watch this presentation to hear from Lane Neave representatives about what it's like to work for them and in the Law sector.