Where You Fit

All legal staff belong to a team within a Practice Group. We work hard to ensure you are allocated to a team that you will enjoy working in and that will give you the best development opportunities. You are not "stuck" in one team though as you will also have the opportunity to work with other teams in your Practice Group. You will work closely with the members of your team, and will enjoy regular team social activities.

Generally, teams consist of between four to seven people and are largely structured as set out below. Advancement within Russell McVeagh is merit based and is not based on years of experience.

Partners
Russell McVeagh Partners are all very experienced lawyers who are experts in their field. They each head a team of lawyers to whom they delegate work. Partners are personally involved in the career development and welfare of their team members.

Associates
Associates are regarded as potential partners of the firm. Being appointed an Associate is a significant career milestone as Associates operate for all intents and purposes as junior partners.
For this reason, membership of the Associate scheme is limited to a select group at any one time.

Senior Solicitors
Our Senior Solicitor programme is not based on years of experience. To be appointed as a Senior Solicitor, you must meet certain criteria set by the firm. This means becoming a Senior Solicitor is an important merit based achievement. Senior Solicitors are highly regarded within the firm and entering the programme indicates you are progressing well in your career.

Solicitors
Once admitted to the New Zealand bar and completing your first year of service, you become known as Solicitor in the firm.

Graduates
You join the firm as a Graduate when you have completed university. You will participate in our Graduate programme which is designed to introduce you to life in a law firm! Most Graduates join the firm in our February intake.

Summer Clerks
Summer Clerks are university students who join the firm over the university summer holidays (November - February) to gain their first insight into working in a law firm. We firmly believe we offer the best Summer Clerk programme in New Zealand.

Scholars
Scholars are law students who have been awarded Russell McVeagh scholarships from school or university. The scholarships are designed to support the Scholars financially as well as through our mentoring scheme. Scholars develop good working relationships with Russell McVeagh team members while still at university.