Summer Clerk Experience 2025/26

Jessica Holdaway

Working as a Summer Law Clerk in the Litigation team at Harkness Henry has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Every day brings opportunities to learn, contribute, and feel part of something meaningful.

One of the things I have loved most about the role is the variety. Litigation at Harkness Henry covers a wide range of areas, meaning I am constantly engaging with new issues and broadening my understanding of the law. Whether I’m researching complex legal questions, drafting court documents, or assisting with court preparation, every task has helped build practical skills and confidence.

What truly sets Harkness Henry apart is the people. The culture is positive, inclusive, and deeply supportive. Partners and senior lawyers take the time to explain their thinking, encourage questions, and celebrate growth. The growth in confidence I have developed during my time as a Summer Law Clerk is very much a reflection of the mentorship I have received. Being surrounded by lawyers who genuinely want to see you succeed creates an environment where you feel comfortable asking questions, taking on new challenges, and learning from each experience. Their guidance and encouragement have helped me build confidence in my own abilities and develop a stronger sense of belonging within the profession. It has been incredibly motivating to work alongside people who are not only highly skilled but also invested in helping the next generation of lawyers grow.

For anyone considering where to spend their summer, I highly recommend applying for a Summer Law Clerk role at Harkness Henry.

Isabel Xiao

Over the 2025/2026 Summer, I was fortunate enough to be selected to work as a Summer Clerk at Harkness Henry. I was placed in the Environmental Team, where I had the opportunity to contribute to a wide range of work across resource management, planning, local government, and property law matters.

Like many students, I was nervous stepping into my first legal role – worried that it might not be what I expected, or that the work would feel overwhelming – and I would not enjoy it. While I had an interest in Environmental Law, I was also initially intimidated by the specialist and broad nature of it, as I had limited exposure to at beforehand, however, my experience at Harkness Henry quickly eased those concerns.

Over the summer, the team was incredibly supportive and encouraged me to learn on the job, their guidance created an environment where I felt confident asking questions, developing new skills, and gradually feeling more comfortable working in this area. I gained a lot of knowledge that I could take with me – not only about the legal issues within these practice areas, but also about the business side of legal practice. Every matter I had the opportunity to work on was so different from the other, allowing me the opportunity to learn so much and not truly realise how much Environmental Law covered. I have developed a genuine appreciation for not only the legal profession but also for the work that is done in the Environmental Law field.

I had plenty of opportunities to meet and network with staff across the firm as well as with people in the community, and I am truly grateful for these experiences and the connections I made. My time at Harkness Henry has reaffirmed my intention to pursue a career as a lawyer. The firm is committed to delivering high‑quality work and supporting its people, and I am thankful to the entire team for giving me this opportunity, I hope to take my experience and become the kind of lawyers I was fortunate enough to work alongside.

If you are a law student looking to gain real-world experience, a Summer Clerkship at Harkness Henry is an excellent opportunity.