NEW ZEALAND
Share Our Vision Shape Your Future
www.dlapiper.com/nzgrads SHAPE OUR VISION SHAPE YOUR FUTURE
DLA Piper New Zealand’s flagship office in Commercial Bay, Auckland.
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Contents
Introduction to DLA Piper...... 4
What makes us different...... 6
Values, awards and vital statistics...... 8
Our practice groups...... 10
Responsible business...... 12
Why DLA Piper?...... 14
An interview with Sara Battersby...... 15
What we look for...... 16
Opportunities...... 17
Your development...... 18
Law clerk application process and timeline...... 19
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If you want to become a global lawyer you’ve come to the right place
DLA Piper is a global business law firm located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, positioning us to help clients with their legal needs around the world. We strive to be the leading global business law firm by delivering quality and value to our clients and contributing to the communities we operate in.
DLA Piper is a firm that’s challenging the legal industry, we’re redefining the status quo. Although we the structure and approach of the operate globally, we’re still locally traditional law firm. We compete at connected. That’s because trusting, the highest level, drive change and collaborative relationships with deliver more to make a tangible our clients and each other are at difference for our people, clients the heart of our success. In the and communities. face of fundamental changes in
We’re leading change in the legal industry, and we’re looking for tomorrow’s leaders to join our journey.
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We work with a diverse range can bring their authentic self to of clients across the world and work. We welcome the unique the deals we advise on are often contribution that each person complex and challenging – brings to our firm, which is why transcending not just practice areas, over a third of our people are active but borders, languages and legal in one of our five D&I committees. systems. Our global workplace has Our people own our D&I journey. significant benefits. On a day-to- day level, it means you can call a We also have a deep commitment colleague on the other side of the to pro bono, both at a local level and world and be able to count on their globally. We work with individuals support, advice and service delivery. and organisations that could not It also means you’ll build strong otherwise afford counsel, providing relationships with talented lawyers advice across a wide range of from every corner of the globe. And specialisms and geographies. You’ll perhaps most excitingly, it means have a part to play in this effort you can take on global cross border too, be it joining an established pro projects and gain international bono project team to enhance a experience and training. All this is cause or working with colleagues to just a glimpse of what we have to identify areas of the community that offer. need our help.
Diversity and inclusion underpins We’re leading change in the legal how we live our values and industry, and we’re looking for everything we do. We believe that tomorrow’s leaders to join our everyone has a voice, and that journey. everyone’s voice counts. We are committed to providing an inclusive In my view, there’s never been a working environment and culture more exciting time to join DLA Piper. across our firm, where everyone
Laura Scampion Partner, Head of Employment, New Zealand
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What Makes Us Different
You will find yourself in a close‑knit, diverse and supportive team. Partners will know your name and take an interest in your development.
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Innovation and Law& service ThreeNow; and multi- approach promotes cross-practice DLA Piper has spearheaded many platform news and current affairs and cross-jurisdiction working and innovations in the legal sector. service Newshub, and; ensures we are strengthening the So much so, we were named engagement we have with our key • Assisting Sean Parker in his Law.com International’s ‘Law Firm clients. As a firm, we are proud to successful application to the of the Year’ in 2020, because of actively support 15 sectors which Overseas Investment Office to our commitment to innovation we are continually investing in. purchase a third of Weta Digital. through new products and services. Recently, we introduced Law&, delivering solutions beyond traditional legal services to help DLA Piper was the first global business our clients succeed in the modern law firm to operate in New Zealand, business environment. From consultancy to cutting-edge AI, it giving us a key point of difference. integrates technology with first class commercial and legal expertise. Supportive culture Global service High profile work We may be one of the biggest law and international DLA Piper offers the opportunity to firms in the world, but it never feels opportunities do work that matters. Here are just like that. You will find yourself in a Because our clients are often global, three recent examples: close‑knit, diverse and supportive we have to be too. DLA Piper was team. Partners will know your the first global business law firm to • Advising the Auckland Council name and take an interest in your operate in New Zealand, giving us a group on its participation in development. We pride ourselves key point of difference. Sharing our the trans-Tasman AsOne bid to in our friendly and collaborative insights, we work together across secure co-hosting of the 2023 culture where everyone is borders and jurisdictions in more FIFA Women’s World Cup; approachable. than 40 countries across the world • Advising Discovery Inc. on its to provide a seamless service to our acquisition of MediaWorks’ TV Strong sector clients. As well as having a global business comprising of: free- experience team of experts at your disposal, to-air channels, Three, Bravo, We value the importance of this will mean real opportunities to Three+1, Bravo+1, The Edge TV providing sector expertise to our work abroad and gain international and The Breeze TV; streaming international clients. Our sector exposure.
DLA Piper presence
Cooperation firm
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In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by these values:
Be Supportive Be Collaborative
We treat everyone fairly and with respect and We exhibit a global mind set by celebrating our courtesy. geographic diversity and working seamlessly across borders. We are inclusive, approachable and supportive of our clients and colleagues. We reach out to others, give help willingly and make ourselves available when needed. We make a positive contribution to our local and global communities. We listen attentively and value new ideas and perspectives.
Be Bold Be Exceptional
We are strategic and future orientated, always We focus on delivering the highest standard of legal thinking and planning ahead. advice and service excellence.
We challenge, and are open to being challenged. We get to the heart of issues and challenges and provide pragmatic, commercial solutions. We are resilient, we adapt quickly. We guide and help others do the same. We operate with transparency and work efficiently to deliver value.
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Our awards and recognition
Law.com #1 in Global 2nd Most International’s Powerful Law Firm of M&A Deal Volume Law Firm the Year (Acritas’ Global Elite (Mergermarket 2020) (British Legal Brand Index 2020) Awards 2020)
#2 Law Firm 96% of Best Firm for Providing value New Zealand Pro Bono Work for the dollar Partners ranked (Asia Women in Business to In House (Legal 500 Asia Law Awards) Counsel Pacific 2021) (BTI Client Service A-Team 2019)
2nd Most Female Employer of Friendly Law Firm Innovataive Choice in New Zealand for Law Firm (NZ Laywer List 2020) Equity Partners (NZ Lawyer List 2020) (LawFuel Gender Survey 2020)
Vital statistics
90+ 1st 2005 15 $3.11bn Number of DLA Global business law the year we became Industry sectors in Global revenue in Piper offices around firm to operate in a world leading which we operate $USD billions the world New Zealand business law firm, for 2019 following the largest merger in the history of the profession
9 SHAPE OUR VISION SHAPE YOUR FUTURE Our Practice Groups
Corporate Tax From mergers and acquisitions Our lawyers help tax departments (M&A) and venture capital to of multinational companies to private and public equity and debt address the complex challenges offerings, our global Corporate of international commerce and team assists clients through all business operations. We advise stages of their transactions to on a wide range of tax issues: ensure successful deal outcomes. inward and outward investment, With 950 corporate lawyers across private equity deals, structuring the world, we are able to help for corporate and real estate businesses transact across borders acquisitions and disposals, transfer by combining a market-leading pricing planning and documentation international practice with specialist as well as executive and employee local expertise. compensation packages.
Finance & Projects Restructuring Finance and Project lawyers provide Our Restructuring group develop market-leading insight into all innovative restructuring solutions aspects of finance, representing that deliver commercial results. leading investment and commercial We advise on all matters relating banks, public and private companies to public and private companies in that actively help shape the market. underperforming and distressed We specialise in the following situations, these matters include areas: debt finance, energy & investigation, enforcement, litigation infrastructure finance, financial and asset recovery on a multi- services regulation and projects – jurisdictional basis. Our client base where we work on joint ventures encompasses debtors, lenders, and other collaborations. government entities, trustees, shareholders, directors, and distressed debt and asset buyers and investors.
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Litigation & Regulatory management of their people-related Our Litigation & Regulatory group legal issues and risk. We advise on comprises dispute resolution trade union and employee relations, lawyers and regulatory specialists discrimination and diversity in more than 30 countries. We help management, global mobility and clients reduce the uncertainties data privacy. Employment also involved in disputes through advises on legal, tax and regulatory innovative and commercial dispute aspects of remuneration, employee resolution strategies, and effective share incentives and benefits and case management. We can deploy assists clients with their reward large, cross-border teams on strategies. major international disputes as globalisation results in more cross- Financial Services border disputes and extraterritorial Financial services legislation application of legislation. continues to change, as do the expectations of regulators. We Real Estate pride ourselves on leading the DLA Piper’s Real Estate group is the response to change, working with world’s largest real estate practice, our clients and industry bodies. and is consistently top-ranked by We focus on understanding our publications and directories globally. clients’ businesses and collaborate Real estate covers everything from across teams to provide a full service offices and residential units to offering to our clients, building in retail centres, logistics hubs and corporate, technology, insolvency healthcare facilities. Almost every and litigation services. DLA Piper client has real estate needs, be it as a core investment or Environment & Resource as an underlying asset. We aim to Management meet these needs and ensure that DLA Piper’s Environment & Resource their holdings and investments add Management team provide value to their businesses. advice on resource management and local government issues to Intellectual Property councils, central government and & Technology (IPT) private clients from a wide range The IPT team specialises in of sectors. Our advice covers the technology transactions, media full range of matters from local law, and data protection and and national planning documents cybersecurity advisory work. The and policy, development projects team advises blue-chip local and and consenting and enforcement multinational clients on complex matters. technology and data protection issues, including outsourcing Insurance transactions, cyber-incident We are the only New Zealand response, data commercialisation, firm that can offer full-service software development and licensing, capability on specialist insurance and sports and media rights deals. lines, drawing on the expertise of The New Zealand team is tightly our other key teams where this integrated with DLA Piper’s market- adds value, including employment, leading global IP and Technology corporate and IPT. In addition to practice. traditional policy lines, we provide services in W&I insurance, regulatory Employment advice, policy drafting and privacy/ Our Employment group provide data. We work for general counsels advice and support to clients in the of insurers and brokers.
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Responsible Business
Diversity, inclusion and women lawyers. In New Zealand we our employees belong to one of inspiring women leaders have a strong partnership of diverse the firm’s diversity and inclusion We are defined by our people professionals. A large percent of our committees which include the and are committed to recruiting, partners are women (43%) with a following: developing and retaining the number in core leadership roles. highest calibre of professionals who IRIS: Promoting an inclusive work reflect the diversity of our clients Global initiatives, such as our environment for colleagues who and the communities and markets Leadership Alliance for Women identify as LGBTI. we work in. Fostering diversity and (LAW) programme, help to provide inclusion allows us to acquire the current and future leaders with BMX: (Baby boomer/Millennial/Gen most talented people, to build the opportunities to build valuable X), developing mutual enrichment of most effective teams for our clients, connections, develop client all generations in the workplace. and deliver the highest level of relationships and strengthen service. leadership skills. HIP: (Heritage and Identity Project), enhancing inclusion of all races To be a true leading global business We also promote diversity through and cultures while recognising the law firm also involves being a global our local committees in New uniqueness of Māori as tangata leader in the advancement of Zealand. Approximately a third of whenua.
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THRIVE: Promoting and enhancing organised volunteering activities in lawyers to provide pro bono legal our workplace agility and wellness the community. assistance in underserved regions (including mental health). around the world. We are proud to be one of the LAW: Leadership Alliance for world’s largest providers of pro Our Global Scholarships Women Group, our network that bono legal services. For you, it’s Programme for undergraduate law plays an integral role in our vision an opportunity to help vulnerable students from the UNs’ 50 Least for a gender balanced and inclusive people in your community. Working Developed Countries provides firm. with law centres and frontline students with access to role models, agencies, you could find yourself work experience, mentoring and Pro bono, giving providing advice on topics such as financial assistance. This supports something back asylum and immigration, unlawful the students’ skills development, Every lawyer is encouraged to detention, or even business advice. builds capacity and promotes the perform at least 35 hours of pro rule of law. Last year, we were bono work each year. Additionally, There’s also the opportunity to help privileged to host two of our Global our employees are allocated two further afield too. New Perimeter, Scholarship fellows here in New days a year to participate in firm- our non-profit affiliate, enables our Zealand for two weeks.
Additionally, to deliver on our commitment of providing equal opportunity and breaking down barriers faced by under- represented groups when entering the business of law, we have partnered with The Prince’s Trust NZ in 2020 to launch our Head Start New Zealand programme. This is a 1-5 year programme backing secondary school students through tertiary education and providing mentoring, internships and financial support.
Sustainability DLA Piper strives to be a leader in ENERGY environmental sustainability. We Our target is to reduce energy consumption by 25 percent by 2025. undertake initiatives to reduce our own operational environmental WASTE impact and we believe that By 2025, we aim to reduce paper use by 25 percent and to increase the our greatest contribution to a percentage of the waste we recycle. sustainable environment is the advice and support we provide to SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT our clients – both in managing their We are currently in the process of implementing a supplier portal to encourage own environmental impacts and all of our major suppliers to provide us with regular, consistent sustainability assessing and responding to climate- performance data. We have also adopted a sustainable procurement policy. related risks and opportunities. HEAD FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND ESG We also make an active contribution In April 2020, we appointed the firm’s first International Head for Sustainability to international climate policy and ESG. It is a global topic which requires a global response and we are ideally discussions and the development placed as a firm to guide and assist our clients in this important area, and to play of investments in low-carbon our role in helping to make business better. technology and infrastructure.
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Why Shehan Gunatunga Senior Solicitor, DLA Litigation “One of the reasons I work at DLA Piper is because it is an incredible place to learn. Some of the senior lawyers here (and external barristers we work closely Piper? with) are jurisprudentially the leaders in their fields. The opportunity to work alongside them is an opportunity to experience different styles, pick up good habits and learn effective techniques from some of the best in the business.”
Katerina Hond Summer Clerk, Insurance/IPT
”DLA Piper provides the opportunity to work in small teams on large Sam Wilson international clients’ matters so you can Senior Associate, gain real hands on experience. The firm Corporate is full of people that are always more than happy to take the time to answer “If you want to work with global questions and help you with your own corporate clients on cross-border professional development, creating a transactions, DLA Piper is the place very supportive work environment.” to be. Our lawyers are down-to-earth, practical and have a commercial outlook.”
Jason An Solicitor, Corporate Kelly Stitely Summer Clerk, Insurance/Litigation “The DLA Piper brand has allowed me to experience working with high-profile international corporates and meet some “I chose DLA Piper because of the of the most influential people in New people. My supervisors trusted me with Zealand and the rest of the world. The important and challenging work, and firm continues to allow me to learn and my team was so supportive whenever work with colleagues that I genuinely I needed any sort of help! I think this respect and get along with.” combination really helped me learn a lot and improve my skills.”
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An Interview with Sara Battersby Senior Associate, Insurance & New Zealand Pro Bono Director (Sara Battersby pictured far right)
What is your role? Piper’s values. I am immensely New Zealand, the firm also provides I am an insurance and commercial proud of the opportunities we have regular continuing legal education litigation Senior Associate, with had and the work we continue to seminars for our people as well experience in general civil and do. Some of the organisations that as running workshops focusing commercial litigation, including I have had the privilege to work on growing our personal skills general private and commercial with include Red Cross, CanTeen such as emotional intelligence and disputes, insurance, contract Aotearoa, StarJam, Bellyful and the unconscious bias. disputes and acting for plaintiffs and Starship Foundation to name a few. defendants on issues arising from What would you construction and natural disasters. Why was DLA Piper the encourage new joiners As part of a leading litigation and right firm for you? to get involved in? insurance practice, I enjoy working DLA Piper is the first global business At the firm you can get involved on some of New Zealand’s most law firm operating in New Zealand, in a number of different initiatives significant commercial disputes and which to me was a key point of – be that pro bono, community get satisfaction from the variety and difference in joining the firm. As care, our five D&I committees or quality of the work opportunities part of being a global firm we social events. Last year, I facilitated at DLA Piper. The work is both have the opportunity to work with a panel discussion with some of challenging and rewarding and I lawyers from across the world our inspiring female firm leaders am lucky enough to have incredible and have access to international for one of our D&I Committees, mentorship from the partners in the best practice resources. This is an Leadership Alliance for Women. It insurance practice. incredible benefit from a learning was an insightful session where we and development perspective, all got to hear about the different How has pro bono work where you can attend international challenges and learnings each influenced your career? learning academies or reach out person had to overcome. Another Some of the most impactful to a colleague for guidance from session, that I recently attended was moments of my career are tied across the world. In 2019 I also had run by our IRIS committee, where to the pro bono work I’ve done. the benefit to do a secondment we discussed LBTQIA+ Inclusion at Pro bono work reaches into to our London offices. Whilst in Work. These two recent examples communities that as a pure London, I attend the DLA Piper give you a hint of some of the commercial firm, we would not Global Litigation & Regulatory initiatives, aligned to our values, usually have access to. By ‘showing Group Conference which was that are run at the firm. As a firm we up’ and having a strong direct attended by lawyers from all over also meet once a week, which allows presence in diverse communities, the world and where I was able to you to connect with each other on a we as lawyers are sending a learn first-hand about issues faced more personal level. This is a great powerful message not just about by lawyers in different jurisdictions way to check in and catch up on our own values, but about DLA and strategic global litigation. In what is happening at the firm.
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What we look for
Our people come from a diverse range of backgrounds. We don’t have a set profile for our law clerks – that’s what sets us apart. Not only does this allow us to serve our diverse clients better; it opens up a range of different and unique perspectives.
You will need a strong academic INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: record in your chosen degree, and Builds positive relationships by a real passion for developing a communicating, networking and career as a lawyer. Beyond this, we’ll influencing effectively. be looking for candidates who are naturally inquisitive, have plenty ANALYSIS: of drive, and can show a genuine Gets to the heart of complex commitment to their chosen issues and problems through clear career path. analytical thinking.
Your personal qualities will be CREATIVITY: important too. If you can provide Applies creativity to develop new tangible examples of your abilities and innovative solutions. in these areas, you’ll have a greater chance of success. ORGANISATION: Is able to provide clear and effective LEADERSHIP: delivery of projects. Takes control and initiates action by giving direction and taking ADAPTABILITY: responsibility. Responds to change positively and copes with setbacks. TEAMWORK: Works effectively with individuals COMMERCIAL OUTLOOK: and teams and provides a consistent Pays attention to commercial factors role model for organisational values. and opportunities.
We’ll be looking for candidates who are naturally inquisitive, have plenty of drive, and can show a genuine commitment to their chosen career path.
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Opportunities
Law Clerk opportunities
Who: Law Clerk positions are available for students in their final year of study.
Where: We have positions available in our Auckland and Wellington offices.
When: Flexible start date based on your personal situation.
Summer Clerk opportunities
Who: Summer Clerk positions are available for students in their penultimate year of study.
Where: We have positions available in our Auckland and Wellington offices.
When: The summer clerkship fits around the University break. Typically, the clerkship starts mid-November and finishes late-February.
Insight Programme
Who: Our Insight Programme is open to students in their antepenultimate year of study. This equates to the 3rd year of study for students completing a 5 year degree.
Where: We have positions available in our Auckland and Wellington offices.
When: The Programme runs for three days during the August / September break.
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Your Development
Your growth is You will then undertake two Supporting you our growth six week rotations in different Throughout your clerkship, you Our goal is simple, we want to practice groups, where you’ll work will be supported by a supervising create the future leaders of the firm. alongside people at all levels of senior lawyer or partner who will That means giving you the skills the business, including partners. provide you with regular guidance you need to become a successful Learning through practice and and feedback. You will also have a lawyer, but also the experiences to observation you will get a real feel buddy who will help you make the discover where your true interests for commercial law in practice. Upon most of the opportunities the firm lie. As you progress, you won’t just your successful completion of the has to offer. develop your legal knowledge, you rotations, you will join a permanent will also develop the commercial, team, and complete your legal Learning that international outlook that’s the professional studies. never stops hallmark of a DLA Piper lawyer. Once qualified, you will continue to Work in the learn through real-life commercial What to expect community practice. You will also have access Your clerkship starts with our We’ll encourage you to do both pro to knowledge centres, technical Best People orientation program, bono and community work; not courses and business skills training. designed to ease you in and get simply because it’s the right thing to Likewise, our International Career you acquainted with our culture. It do, but because it will develop your Academies will help you continually will equip you with the necessary skills in leadership, teamwork and enhance your professional skills knowledge and tools to start communication. while developing your internal your career on a firm foundation. networks across the firm.
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Clerk application process and timeline:
Your path to a career with us
We deliberately offer a handful of sought-after clerk openings in New Zealand. This means you will experience a first-class journey, with full participation in real work. Partners and senior lawyers will support you with genuine help and encouragement. The clerkship programme generally starts in November. You will be busy and experience a variety of work. You will be truly contributing, spending your summer rotating between two teams before going into a permanent team. Application Timeline Through our application process we’ll assess how well you’ll fit with APPLICATIONS OPEN: DLA Piper – and how DLA Piper will Thursday 11 March 2021 fit with you.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 12pm, Monday 29 March 2021
ASSESSMENT DAY Friday 7 May 2021
OFFERS MADE Thursday 13 May 2021
ACCEPTANCE DAY 12pm, Friday 21 May 2021
For further information please visit our website www.dlapiper.com/nzgrads
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DLA Piper is a global law firm operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. Further details of these entities can be found at www.dlapiper.com. This publication is intended as a general overview and discussion of the subjects dealt with, and does not create a lawyer-client relationship. It is not intended to be, and should not be used as, a substitute for taking legal advice in any specific situation. DLA Piper will accept no responsibility for any actions taken or not taken on the basis of this publication. This may qualify as “Lawyer Advertising” requiring notice in some jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Copyright © 2021 DLA Piper. All rights reserved. | FEB 21