University recruitment is not only about recruiting the brightest, all-round talent that our law schools have to offer, but also about searching for individuals who have the potential to be future partners. Our career line shows how you can progress through the firm and what lawyers at each stage in our firm have to say about their experiences in working for
Nick Kovacevich
Summer Clerk, Auckland
I decided to join Buddle Findlay because of the high profile work that the firm does, and the exciting working atmosphere. During my rotation in the corporate team, I had the opportunity to attend client meetings and be involved in work for major national and international companies. My rotation in litigation was an equally stimulating experience and I was involved in work on resolving commercial disputes, and research for High Court and Court of Appeal cases. Buddle
Thad Ryan
Law Clerk, Wellington
During the summer clerk recruitment process, I was struck by the attitude of the people at Buddle Findlay: they were relaxed and friendly, yet still highly motivated and professional. This initial impression was confirmed by my experience summer clerking in 2006/2007. I was consistently given challenging, “real” work, and made to feel at ease and respected when discussing legal issues with supervisors and other team members. This made the decision to return to Buddle Findlay as a law clerk with the resource management team an easy one. The structure of the team means I am now working closely with senior solicitors on a wide range of issues as well as various projects from the wider litigation team. I have recently been seconded to a high profile client on a part-time basis which is giving me a great insight into another area of law.
Anna Cowan
Solicitor, Christchurch
I was a summer clerk in 2004/2005 and returned as a law clerk in 2007, after spending a year finishing my degree in
Sharley Willetts
Senior Solicitor, Auckland
The friendly and approachable people I met during the interview process made it an easy decision for me to summer clerk at Buddle Findlay in 2001/2002. I returned as a law clerk in 2003 and the rotation system allowed me to gain a practical and useful insight into different practice areas including banking and finance, employment and general commercial litigation. As a member of the Auckland litigation team one of the things I particularly like is that the team has a wide ranging practice, so I have been able to work on a variety of files, from media and intellectual property litigation to competition cases, property and contractual disputes. I have had great exposure to court time and have appeared in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal and recently have had the opportunity to work closely with barristers and QCs on several major files.
Susie Kilty
Senior Associate, Wellington
I joined Buddle Findlay as a summer clerk in 1998/1999, and then returned as a law clerk in 2000. After rotations in employment and then the commercial team, I joined the public law team at the beginning of 2002, initially in order to pursue my interest in competition law. Since then I have had the opportunity to develop a regulatory law practice to complement my competition law work. This has included developing expertise in legislative drafting, advising decision makers, preparing submissions and applications to regulators, and advising on judicial review proceedings. To me, the best thing about working at Buddle Findlay is that I can practise public law every day - not just dabble in it from time to time in the context of a commercial deal.
Sacha Judd
Partner, Auckland
This is my first year as a partner in Buddle Findlay's corporate services team. I began my career at the firm 10 years ago and worked as a solicitor for 3 years before going overseas. While away I worked for Linklaters, one of the largest international law firms, in
Jeremy Blake
Partner, Christchurch
I graduated in 1995 and joined a regional law firm before pursuing a corporate banking role and then an in-house legal role in
The people and opportunities that attracted me to Buddle Findlay in the first place have kept me here since. As a national law firm with outstanding people, we are privileged to advise equally outstanding clients. As a partner, I recognise that our people define the firm. The recruitment of new staff is one of the most important decisions we make. We are committed to ensuring our new recruits have the opportunity to develop a rewarding career while enjoying themselves along the way.