Testimonial from Gemma Steenhauer Summer Clerk 2023 – 2024
1. What made you decide to clerk at Harmans?
I gathered the impression that clerking at Harmans would be a good experience from reading previous Summer Clerks’ testimonials, and from my interview for the position. These advertised Harmans as a lively and dynamic workplace, where I would be able to gain useful experience, which it has proven to be.
2. Do you feel like you were given the opportunity to utilise the knowledge gained in your studies and apply it to the work experience?
Despite there being a vast difference between learning how the law works in theory and seeing it applied in practice, I have found that knowledge gained in my studies has had some applicability in my work experience. It was exciting to see how what I have learned at University is applied in “the real world”.
3. What was your favourite part of our Summer Clerk Programme?
Being able to cycle between the different teams that operate at Harmans was a very positive experience, which has helped to steer me more in a particular direction in terms of what work I might want to do once I graduate. I also enjoyed being able to work one on one with all members of the team. I felt I left the office every day having learned something new.
4. What do you like about Harmans?
The work environment; everyone was very nice, welcoming and approachable, and the team is close-knit. Everyone was always more than willing to help me and answer any questions I had.
5. Would you recommend the Harmans Summer Clerk Programme to other students? Why?
I would, as I feel I learnt a lot, not only about how a law firm operates, but also about the law itself.
Testimonial from Sam Sherry Summer Clerk 2021 – 2022
1. What made you decide to clerk at Harmans?
I wanted to clerk at Harmans in order to get a better understanding of what life as a lawyer would be like after University. After four years of study, I still felt like I knew very little about what lawyers actually did each day in the office, and I wasn’t sure what area of the law I wanted to work in once I graduated. The Harmans Summer Clerk Programme gave me the opportunity to join four teams across eight weeks, giving me practical experience in multiple different areas of law. I was able to see and experience what a job as a solicitor actually entails, and I got to know the awesome team of people at Harmans across the summer.
2. Do you feel like you were given the opportunity to utilise the knowledge gained in your studies and apply it to the work experience?
Yes, taking the knowledge I have gained at University and having the opportunity to apply it to real people and real issues is an opportunity I am very grateful for. I was given a wide range of different tasks and topics to research, and I really enjoyed being able to attend court and client meetings. Having experienced lawyers ready to help with any questions made the internship really enjoyable, and I feel like I have learned so much invaluable information during my time here.
3. What was your favourite part of our Summer Clerk Programme?
The opportunity to work across all the different legal teams has to be my highlight, as it allowed me to better understand what different types of solicitors do and has helped me recognise the areas of law I really enjoy. Being part of multiple teams meant I got a variety of different jobs and tasks while I was here, which kept every day interesting.
4. What do you like about Harmans?
Everyone here has been so welcoming and willing to help with any questions I have had, which really put me at ease and made me feel like a valued member of the firm. I was always treated with the same respect as all the permanent staff members, and everyone was more than willing to share their knowledge with me and assist with any queries I had.
5. Would you recommend the Harmans Summer Clerk Programme to other students? Why?
Definitely. I have gained so much knowledge and experience during my time at Harmans I would have never have received otherwise, and I now feel like I have a much better understanding of what life after University is going to be like. The team here is really kind and supportive, making it an amazing working and learning environment where your co-workers also feel like your friends.
6. Any other comments
I had an amazing summer at Harmans and I am really grateful to everyone for all the help and advice given to me. Thank you to everyone and I hope our paths cross again in the future!
Testimonial from Jennifer Liu Summer Clerk 2019 – 2020
1. What made you decide to clerk at Harmans?
I was confused about what I should do after I graduate. I was told that practising law is different than studying law. I had no idea what the day to day life of a solicitor is like. I wanted to clerk in a law firm to clarify my uncertainties. Harmans recruitment team was at the UC law recruitment evening. I decided to apply for the summer clerkship programme after chatting with the team. The interview was relaxed and unintimidating. I accepted the offer based on my interaction with the recruitment team and the interviewers. I believed that they reflect the warm and down to earth firm culture.
2. Do you feel like you were given the opportunity to utilise the knowledge gained in your studies and apply it to the work experience?
Yes, definitely. Harmans enabled me to capitalise my theoretical knowledge and to gain practical experience. I had the opportunity to participate in client meetings and help them with their real-life legal issues. I learned it is important to find out the outcome the client hopes for and apply relevant laws to achieve that outcome.
3. What was your favourite part of our Summer Clerk Programme?
Working in all four teams and both locations gave me the opportunity to see the insight of different areas of law. The hands-on approach suits my learning style. I enjoyed the variety of tasks I was given. I also had the ability to work and interact with every member of each team. The interaction confirmed my initial feeling about the firm—warm and down to earth.
4. What do you like about Harmans?
I love the welcoming, and inclusive cultural value Harmans has. I felt like a team member the whole time. No one has ever made me feel like a temporary summer clerk. I attended training with other new permanent employees and was invited to all social events. I’m very impressed with the professional yet friendly environment. I was told that law firms are highly hierarchical. Not at Harmans, everyone gets on very well.
5. Would you recommend the Harmans Summer Clerk Programme to other students? Why?
Yes, indeed. The clerkship definitely served its purpose. I was able to gain valuable practical experience. I realised how rewarding being a solicitor is. I enjoyed the challenging but exciting work. In the end, I gained skills, knowledge and personal and professional values that will assist me in my study and work life. I’m incredibly thankful for this fantastic opportunity.
6. Any other comments
The buddy system helped me to ease into the new environment. Thank you, Rebecca and Lewis.
Testimonial from Rebecca Scholfield Summer Clerk 2018 – 2019
1. What made you decide to clerk at Harmans?
Upon applying for the Harmans summer clerk programme, I was at a stage in my degree where I was seeking practical experience. I was also unsure about whether I wanted to go into the legal profession and what a young solicitor actually does within a firm. I applied for Harmans in an effort to answer these questions and was pleasantly surprised to be offered a place in the programme. I chose to accept after speaking to young lawyers within the Christchurch area who had heard about or worked alongside Harmans, all of who had great things to say about the firm.
2. Do you feel like you were given the opportunity to utilise the knowledge gained in your studies and apply it to the work experience?
Yes – my time at Harmans has been very practical. I have enjoyed taking the theoretical knowledge learned at university and applying it to practical situations with real clients. It has been great to interact with real people in solving their arising legal issues, while also working within a team of experienced lawyers and staff.
3. What was your favourite part of our Summer Clerk Programme?
I enjoyed the ability to work in multiple teams in my time here. Not only did this allow me to gain experience in various areas of law, but I was also able to work alongside (almost all) the teams at Harmans. I feel as though I became a part of the team and got to know everyone here (instead of feeling like an outsider!). I feel as though this is the most valuable thing gained from my time in the Summer Clerk Programme as I have been able to gain confidence and experience.
4. What do you like about Harmans?
Harmans has a very inclusive nature about the firm. I have never felt like a temporary employee or ‘just a summer clerk’. Each team I have worked with have taken time to teach and mentor me, whether that be by running me through tasks or taking me for coffee to discuss life as a lawyer for which I am really grateful for. I feel lucky to have experienced such a positive and inviting workplace.
5. Would you recommend the Harmans Summer Clerk Programme to other students? Why?
Yes definitely. As touched on above, Harmans gave me the opportunity to work within 6 different teams in my 12 weeks. This was great as I was able to taste multiple areas of law, many of which were very different to what I had anticipated! The work I have been given has been interesting and challenging which has given me a sense of satisfaction at the end of the day. My experience has given me a clearer understanding of what kind of law I like and what I can see myself pursuing as a career. Furthermore, I felt as though I was genuinely cared about at Harmans.
6. Any other comments
I think starting in litigation was really great as it was the most similar team to what I have done at university. This was therefore a comfortable place to start!
