People.

Mayne Wetherell has provided me with an unrivalled experience.   I have had the opportunity to be involved in many high value and market leading transactions. The flexibility between corporate and finance work has allowed me to be consistently exposed to new and exciting work and ensures that I am proficient across a number of practice areas, a benefit not available at other, larger firms.  Mayne Wetherell offers all of the support, training and opportunities needed for juniors to accelerate their learning and development.

From day one, I felt like I was a part of the team at Mayne Wetherell.  The staff invested significant time making sure I settled into the firm and that I was given plenty of learning opportunities over the summer. I was surprised at how much my input was valued and how I was made to feel like an important member of the team throughout a wide variety of transactions.

As a junior, I have had the opportunity to work across many aspects of different tax, corporate and finance transactions. The diversity of work and depth of experience is what sets Mayne Wetherell apart. Whilst the work is challenging, the people are very supportive which creates the best environment for professional growth.

The thing I like most about Mayne Wetherell is the collaborative environment of the office.  Everyone at the firm, across all levels, is willing to provide advice and assistance when needed which provides an inclusive learning platform for all.  

I am proud that Mayne Wetherell also has a focus on diversity & inclusion and the “doing business for good” movement.  A personal highlight for me was being part of the team that helped to obtain BCORP status for the firm, making us the first and only the second law firm in New Zealand to be a BCORP.

Working at Mayne Wetherell gives you an unrivalled opportunity to immerse yourself in a broad variety of complex legal transactions.  Senior lawyers in each transactional team take the time to ensure you understand the full picture and support you to make valuable contributions.   As a Graduate and Mayne Wetherell, I have always felt comfortable to ask questions and voice my opinion and I am grateful to work with people who support my learning and growth.  Mayne Wetherell offers the support and culture of a smaller firm while also providing the opportunity to work on high profile, challenging and interesting transactions.

Working for Mayne Wetherell has given me invaluable insight into the corporate, tax and finance world.  The diverse range of work paired with the collaborative culture has allowed me to learn effectively, challenge myself and grow both as a person and as a professional.  I believe Mayne Wetherell is a great place to begin your legal career.

Having moved to Mayne Wetherell from another firm a few years into my career, I can say that Mayne Wetherell is an exceptional place to work.  The work we do is both varied and engaging and the team is enthusiastic and supportive.  The people at Mayne Wetherell are one of the highlights of working here.  Everyone is extremely welcoming and it’s great working in a place where you feel that you know every member of the team.  Our work spans corporate, tax and finance transactions.  As a junior you will get opportunities to expand your knowledge across a number of different transactions and areas of law, building a great base of experience in the important early years in your career.

I highly recommend starting your legal career at Mayne Wetherell.  As a Summer Clerk, I had the opportunity to work on a diverse and engaging range of tax, finance and corporate transactions, gain valuable experience and work with a broad cross-section of the firm.  At all times I felt valued and appreciated – the best part of my experience as a Summer Clerk was simply operating within the Mayne Wetherell environment.

Working at Mayne Wetherell is invaluable in both experience and people.  Mayne Wetherell provides opportunities to challenge thinking, hone legal skills and learn every step of the way across the finance, tax and corporate spectrum.  The collaborative, non-hierarchical environment supports everyone to achieve collective and personal goals.  I could not imagine a better place to begin my legal career.  

I joined Mayne Wetherell in 2021 to lead the firm’s tax practice, having spent 20 years at a larger law firm.  The attraction of Mayne Wetherell for me is that I have the opportunity to work on some of New Zealand’s most interesting and significant legal matters, while enjoying a culture that’s non-hierarchical and non-bureaucratic.  Mayne Wetherell is a firm where every individual counts and no one gets lost in the crowd.  That’s reflected in the developmental opportunities for each lawyer beginning their career at Mayne Wetherell.  Although the firm has excellent structured training available, the emphasis is much more about individual feedback, and hands-on experience right from day one, and that’s what I think gives Mayne Wetherell lawyers the edge in terms of the opportunities for development.

Collaborative growth is central to the Mayne Wetherell ethos.  With each member of the firm eager to strengthen understanding and facilitate curiosity, I have felt supported to move beyond my comfort zone.  The non-hierarchical structure of the firm, versatile nature of work, and genuine opportunity to make meaningful contributions has enhanced my overall experience as a summer clerk and has me excited for the future.

Mayne Wetherell sets itself apart from other law firms in a number of ways.  You’re presented with the opportunity to work on the most complex and rewarding transactions in the market, whilst still maintaining the essence of a small firm with a tight-knit team culture where you feel valued as an individual.  As a result, you deal directly with clients regularly and your development as a lawyer is fast-tracked compared with other larger firms.

As a Summer Clerk at Mayne Wetherell, I was immediately exposed to real world work in corporate, tax and financial transactions. I didn’t get the feeling I was being “babied” because of my inexperience, rather I was trusted with real responsibilities and client exposure from the get-go. This culminated in a steep learning curve, which may sound daunting, but it is made enjoyable by the close-knit culture of the team who were always willing to help not matter what the question. My reasoning for choosing Mayne Wetherell was the combination of it being a specialist boutique firm and it having a reputation within the industry as being one of the best.

Being a lawyer at Mayne Wetherell is a unique experience as it gives you the opportunity work on finance, corporate and tax transactions of a large law firm while maintaining the close-knit culture of a small firm. It is also an opportunity to work alongside great people who are not shy of a challenge, which means you will always be working on complex but exciting deals.  As a junior at Mayne Wetherell, you will be supported and encouraged by people who are invested in you.  Summer clerking at Mayne Wetherell would be a great first step into your legal career.

Mayne Wetherell has been a fantastic opportunity to begin my legal career. The firm fosters an ethos of providing lawyers with countless opportunities and flexible career development. All members work as a cohesive team, enabling a crucial mentoring network for junior lawyers. The calibre of work has established Mayne Wetherell as an idyllic environment for lawyers to hone their skills in all aspects of New Zealand’s premier finance, tax and corporate transactions. This has created a unique culture where juniors are provided with training and support of the highest quality to excel in the legal profession.

Mayne Wetherell facilitates an inclusive team environment where there is no hierarchy.  You will quickly form strong working relationships with all members of the firm which makes going to work more than just a learning experience; it is a place where you will feel comfortable to ask questions, offer ideas and speak your mind.

Mayne Wetherell provides the perfect environment for starting your legal career.  The firm’s investment in its young lawyers is fostered toward encouraging autonomy and responsibility, meaning you begin to develop your legal style and skills from the outset.  The non-hierarchical culture of the firm allows you to work on high quality transactions alongside the best in the industry.  The Mayne Wetherell team are a very supportive and actively encourage you to ask any questions making it a supportive and stimulating firm to be a part of.

Starting your career at Mayne Wetherell means a unique opportunity to work on high value and complex transactions for clients in New Zealand and internationally. The absence of rigid teams means that you get to work with different people on a wide range of matters, from mergers and acquisitions to securitisation, tax and banking/finance, and carve out a niche for yourself based on what you enjoy.

Working across multiple transactions allows you to get to know everyone at the firm and helps foster a fun and collaborative relationship. You are given a high level of responsibility from your first year, and this strong collaborative culture means you have the necessary support to navigate advanced transactions from the very beginning of your career.

I joined Mayne Wetherell’s tax team last year, having begun my career at a larger firm.  I made the move to Mayne Wetherell because of the exceptional opportunities on offer for learning and professional development.  Mayne Wetherell is non-hierarchical and offers an opportunity to work closely with experienced partners on a range of complex, high profile, and challenging matters from day one.  While based in the tax team, I’ve enjoyed working on a wide range of issues, including company and trust law questions, evidence issues, civil procedure, and working on a pro bono litigation matter the firm has taken on involving the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act.  I believe working at Mayne Wetherell has greatly accelerated my development as a lawyer.

Mayne Wetherell distinguishes itself from other top firms by training lawyers to manage and advise on all aspects of complex business transactions.   Operating as a single team, our junior lawyers are able to work with, and learn from, individuals at all levels of the firm.  With the full support of the senior staff, junior lawyers are also encouraged to take ownership of various aspects of each transaction.

Having worked previously in large firms, I can say that Mayne Wetherell offers the calibre and quality of work you would expect from a large, top tier firm, while delivering its lawyers the opportunity to work in a small, focussed environment.  With experienced practitioners across a range of levels in corporate, finance and tax, I believe we offer unique opportunities for summer clerks and junior lawyers to get involved in the most complex transactions, accelerating their learning and development.

Chris advises on tax law. He has advised on a number of significant transactions including mergers and acquisitions, restructures, Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), and financing arrangements. He has also acted for clients seeking binding rulings from Inland Revenue in respect of prospective transactions, and represented clients in respect of Inland Revenue investigations and disputes.  Chris is recognised as a “Next Generation Partner” in Tax by Legal 500, and has been named a Rising Star by NZ Lawyer.

Interviewing candidates for summer clerkships is a two-way street. It is very important to us that we hire candidates who will thrive in our firm, and equally important that those candidates are confident that Mayne Wetherell is the right fit for them. For that reason, we encourage you to speak to as many of our team members as possible during the recruitment season – whether on the phone, through email or face-to-face.

Simon is one of New Zealand’s leading securities law and corporate lawyers. He has been recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers Global for his corporate and M&A work and is recognised as a leading lawyer in the field by Asialaw. Simon is also a member of the New Zealand Takeovers Panel.

A summer clerkship at Mayne Wetherell is a one-of-a-kind experience where from day one you are engaged in complex work on significant transactions.  You are always working on a task more challenging than the last, but the collaborative, supportive environment at Mayne Wetherell means you’re never discouraged from asking questions.  Your summer at Mayne Wetherell isn’t a three-month taster, it’s the first three months of your legal career, which is reflected in the firm’s investment in your development and involvement in the firm’s transactions.

I came to Mayne Wetherell with the aim of growing as a lawyer. I had previously dealt with Mayne on the other side of transactions, and it was clear to me that this was a firm that provides a premium quality service and produces first-class lawyers. My experience since coming to Mayne has reinforced that view. As well as the complex and interesting work and the opportunity to work alongside some of the best in the industry, Mayne has a culture which encourages you to push yourself and take ownership of your work which I believe is great for any lawyer, let alone those starting their career.

I started at Mayne Wetherell as a graduate without doing a summer clerkship and was impressed with the firms supportive working environment that allowed me to feel at ease from my first day.  Mayne Wetherell invests in its people from the start of their careers’ through a comprehensive training program and detailed explanation of transactions.  The non-hierarchal structure and open plan office allows juniors to interact daily with partners and be involved in multiple transactions with different people.  This collaborative environment allows you to be involved in a range of interesting and challenging transactions as a junior which is beneficial at the beginning of your career.

Mayne Wetherell is unique in the way that we operate as one, tight-knit team whilst working on larger, complex transactions. Operating as one team has supported my first step in my legal career as the people are genuine, supportive and eager to help. No matter what stage of legal career you are in, the flexibility of corporate, tax and finance work benefits you as you are continuously exposed to a wide range of law rather than specialising in a single area.

The quality of work and opportunities to grow as a professional are the primary reasons why I pursued a role at Mayne Wetherell.  Having transitioned from a corporate / commercial team in a similar sized general services firm, I have enjoyed seeing how Mayne Wetherell operates as a larger, single, cohesive team, with the added benefit of being able to really immerse myself in corporate law and to make the most of working with some of the best minds in the industry. I have benefitted immediately from exposure to an array of interesting and complex transactions.

Mayne Wetherell provides ample opportunity for both personal and professional growth.  During my summer clerkship, I was involved in a number of high-level tax, corporate and finance transactions.  Because the firm operates as a single team, I was consistently exposed to a range of compelling work and different areas of the law.  Although the work got challenging at times, there was always someone, at all levels of the firm, who was happy to help.  The supportive environment combined with the quality of work at the firm made my summer a valuable experience.

Over a decade on, with our reputation firmly entrenched, I am particularly proud that we continue to offer our staff a consistent diet of high-quality work. I believe our workflow is testament to the calibre of lawyers that the Mayne Wetherell model produces and our spread of alumni at magic circle and top US firms is recognition of our firm’s success on the global stage.

Laurie has extensive experience in all areas of banking and finance and is regarded as one of New Zealand’s most experienced banking and financing practitioners. Laurie is recognised by the International Financial Law Review as an expert consultant in the area of restructuring and insolvency. Laurie also featured in the 2014/2015 edition of The Best Lawyers in New Zealand in the practice area of finance.

Mayne Wetherell combines all the benefits of a large firm with those of a small one.  You are given the unique experience of working with everyone in the firm, which means your exposure to both corporate and finance transactions is unlimited. The opportunity to learn from the best in the industry is invaluable, which makes Mayne Wetherell the perfect place to develop your legal career.

After comparing against my previous experience at an international law firm, I believe that Mayne Wetherell provides an unparalleled professional experience for ambitious and determined legal minds.  From the start, you will be actively involved in high value market leading transactions.  It is a place where you feel challenged, valued and supported.  There is no other New Zealand law firm which provides a pathway to such rapid professional and personal development.

Having worked in the UK at a magic circle law firm and returned to Mayne Wetherell, I have found that, whilst being smaller, Mayne Wetherell attracts top quality clients and legal work – and provides juniors with the support of easily accessible and highly experienced partners. It is an excellent platform from which to move into an overseas legal role, an excellent place to return to and is filled with people of the highest calibre.

Dan is recognised by Chambers Global as a notable practitioner and has been recognised by the Legal 500 for his banking and finance work. Dan has also been named as the New Zealand winner in the category of securities & structured finance in the International Client Choice Guide. Dan advised the financial institutions providing stapled securitised warehouse financing to Shinsei in its acquisition of UDC in 2021.

At Mayne Wetherell, you will have the opportunity to work with some of the best lawyers in the country who specialise in corporate, tax and financial transactions. As a summer clerk, you will gain first-hand experience working in a pre-eminent law firm by contributing to real business transactions.  The firm consistently goes above and beyond for both clients and colleagues through its meticulous approach.  Not only was I able to participate in a vast range of interesting tasks and transactions, but I was also welcomed into a supportive and social environment with colleagues who were willing to help me throughout.

Mayne Wetherell operates differently from other law firms. In contrast to large law firms, we do not operate separate corporate (equity), tax and finance (debt) departments. Having three distinct teams for such intimately intertwined areas of law is artificial – and results in unwanted bureaucracy and unnecessary specialisation.

All our lawyers are trained, and have experience, in both equity and debt related matters. We believe this leads to a greater understanding of the interplay between the various aspects of our clients’ transactions and a better overall service to our clients as a result.

Mei is recognised by the International Financial Law Review, Legal 500 and Chambers Global for her banking and finance work. Mei is also consistently recognised as one of IFLR1000’s Women Leaders.

Mayne Wetherell has provided me with unrivalled opportunities in the time I have been here.  The open plan office space and non-hierarchical structure allows for collaborative working and regular interaction with all members of the firm, regardless of what level they are at.  As there are no set teams, I work across both the corporate and finance aspects of complex and interesting transactions which has helped me grow my legal skills immeasurably.  Mayne Wetherell is the perfect place to start your legal career.

Our summer clerk programme has been designed to provide a real practical experience and introduction to Mayne Wetherell. As a summer clerk you will gain valuable experience working directly with our clients. This will include some of New Zealand’s most high profile and complex corporate, tax and finance transactions.

These are experiences which we always look forward to sharing with our new summer clerks each year.

An experienced corporate and commercial lawyer, Matthew’s expertise includes mergers and acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures, and overseas investment. Matthew is also an established specialist in M&A W&I insurance, acting for all major insurers operating in the Australasian market.

Matthew has been recognised for his work in the corporate and M&A area in the Legal 500 and is recognised by the International Financial Law Review as a rising star.

Accepting a position at Mayne Wetherell guarantees you the best possible start to your legal career.  Every member of our team will take an active role in your development and you will very quickly be exposed to a wide range of top-quality work.  My progression from graduate, to being entrusted with some of the largest and most significant transactions in the New Zealand market, is a direct result of the investment by the firm in my development and the trust and confidence shown in me.

Cameron has extensive experience across a range of banking and finance transactions, with a particular focus on acquisition finance, structured finance and project finance.  

Cameron has been recognised by Legal 500 in the banking and finance practice area.

At Mayne Wetherell, no one day is ever the same. The variation in the work we do keeps me on my toes and I am constantly learning because of it. The open plan office creates a collaborative and supportive environment that helps you quickly develop skills both professionally as a lawyer and personally. Being surrounded by people who are not afraid to push the boundaries means you get the chance to work on some of the biggest deals and transactions that are pathing the way corporate, financial and tax law are practiced in New Zealand. As a young lawyer entering the workforce, Mayne Wetherell has been the best place to kickstart my career.

Mayne Wetherell provides me with opportunities that are simply incomparable among my peers. I genuinely believe that no other firm will make you better faster.

From the outset of my career, the firm provided training and mentoring that quickly saw me running transactions and dealing directly with clients and partners from other firms. The firm’s core practice areas complement my background in finance and economics and satisfy my hunger for transactional, investment bank style work.

Michael has extensive experience across a range of corporate and commercial transactions, with a particular focus on M&A, private equity, listed company takeovers and equity capital markets.

The first part of my career at Mayne Wetherell gave me the foundations and opportunities to pursue an overseas career with top-tier Australian and global firms.  The training and experience I gained at Mayne Wetherell allowed me to quickly adapt to and succeed in my overseas roles and was highly valued. I believe that the quality of the work, training and culture at Mayne Wetherell is as good as you get from any of those firms and was proud to come back to MW on my return to NZ.

Throughout my career at Mayne Wetherell I have had the opportunity to lead a broad range of high-profile and market-leading transactions.  Managing and driving these deals as part of a well-supported team has allowed me to progress further, be promoted earlier and gain better career prospects than would have been possible in another firm.  Mayne Wetherell’s focus on transactional work means you will become a much more well-rounded lawyer as you gain expertise in all aspects of tax, corporate and finance work and develop a broad understanding of the commercial drivers behind these transactions.

Mayne Wetherell offers the perfect environment to start your career.  The training is unrivalled, with regular firm-wide trainings as well as role-specific training, the firm puts a lot of effort into making sure their people can meet the high expectations of our clients.  The work is challenging, however the supportive working environment means that you are constantly presented with opportunities to learn and grow.  Lastly, the people are top notch, as illustrated by the calibre of clients who have chosen to work with Mayne Wetherell.

Mayne Wetherell provides a professional experience where you feel valued in a social and collaborative environment that is focused on delivering a high calibre of work.  Given the magnitude of the firm’s transactions on both local and international scales, the solicitors and partners take the time to walk you through projects you are involved in to help you think practically about the bigger picture.  What is unique about summer clerking at Mayne Wetherell is the opportunities to work on a range of transactions without being confined to a single team, giving you wider experience across corporate and finance law.

Mayne Wetherell provides its lawyers the opportunity to work on ground-breaking and interesting work within a small firm environment.  On moving to Mayne Wetherell I was immediately impressed by the collaborative one-team approach.  I believe Mayne Wetherell would be a great place to start your legal career.

After beginning my legal career at a much larger law firm, joining Mayne Wetherell has allowed me to appreciate the unique opportunities that the firm offers.  The small size of the firm and the emphasis on the ‘one team’ culture ensures that our junior lawyers are called upon to work on a wide range of corporate, tax and finance transactions.  My elevation to Senior Associate also exemplifies the opportunities for career progression that the firm creates for its staff.  What I have enjoyed the most is the underlying culture that embraces staff wellbeing with a strong focus on individual development – all of which makes Mayne Wetherell the perfect place to begin your journey in the legal industry.

Our choice to establish an open plan office was deliberate, and it has created a collaborative and collegial environment that encourages discussion and collective thought.

Discussions often spring up in the middle of the office, with juniors and seniors alike throwing in their two cents’ worth. There’s nothing better than seeing a graduate chipping in on these conversations – we love it that Mayne Wetherell cultivates this level of confidence, enthusiasm and blue-sky thinking.

Legal directories have recognised Will as being in the “hall of fame” for banking and finance, and “highly regarded” in the area of restructuring and insolvency.  Best Lawyers (US) has named Will multiple times as the New Zealand lawyer of the year in leveraged buyouts.  He has twice been named by UK publication Finance Monthly as one of the top 100 advisors globally in a calendar year.

The beauty of working at Mayne Wetherell is that you get the sense of being in a smaller firm where everyone feels valued whilst getting the opportunity to work on a variety of large-scale and complex transactions. There are no teams which I found extremely valuable over the summer as it meant I was able to work with a range of people on different transactions. Everyone at the firm is so welcoming, supportive and friendly which is what made the summer so great!

Our young lawyers represent the future of our firm; so we hand pick the top law students from around New Zealand to join us for summer clerkships. We look for students who not only have a strong academic transcript but who have the raw talent to excel as an adviser to, and leader in, the business world. That doesn’t mean our young lawyers must have studied commerce at University – but successful applicants are typically interested in major transactions in the market.

Dave has consistently been recognised by Chambers Global, Legal 500 and the International Financial Law Review as a leading individual in banking and finance. This includes being recognised as the sole “Star Individual” in New Zealand for both 2017 and 2018 in the area of banking and finance. Dave is also recognised as a leading lawyer in capital markets, corporate and M&A and restructuring and insolvency by AsiaLaw. Dave is the only New Zealand practitioner to receive recognition (twice) in Euromoney’s Best of the Best (top 30 in the world) in securitisation and structured finance.

I love that everything we do at Mayne Wetherell is driven by the MW values and providing a premium service to our clients.

As the Operations Manager, one of the most exciting parts of my job is working on our ongoing technology transformation and optimisation strategies. Mayne Wetherell is committed to being at the forefront of legal technology and information security practices for the benefit of our clients and our people.

Mayne Wetherell is a place where everyone is eager to help you learn and grow.  The non-hierarchical office plan creates a collaborative and inclusive environment for professional and personal growth.  It is clear that the firm invests time and attention into all the staff at Mayne Wetherell.