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Internship
Programme

Since 2003, Deborah has run a successful internship programme for university students both in private practice and with international work. The focus of the internship programme is to develop students in human rights law and to enable them to become critical and creative thinkers as young professionals.

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The internship is structured around the local university semester programme, and is preferably 6 months. The placement can be tailored to align with the University of Auckland Community Placement and/or LawGen 447 Community Law Project and with the needs of students.

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We welcome students with initiative and a strong commitment to human rights to assist in our chambers. This involves 7-10 hours per week, working at the chambers under supervision of Deborah and the junior barristers.

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This work is as a voluntary intern but a reference is provided as well as an invaluable opportunity in and exposure to human rights legal work. This internship is also a good opportunity to meet others in the legal profession and human rights field.​

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Experience offered

  • Research and preparing memos and draft submissions (case-law, internet research, etc)

  • Observing hearings, client attendances

  • Document preparation and miscellaneous tasks

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Requirements

  • 3rd or 4th-year law students, preferably in the Honours programme 

  • Access to a laptop.

  • You need to be able to follow directions, to work on your own as well as to have initiative.

  • We are looking for interns who are hard-working, down-to-earth and have a positive attitude.

  • A strong academic record. It would be useful if you have studied administrative law and human rights-related papers. It is an advantage if you are doing the Honours programme. 

  • Preference is also given to those with some background in human rights work and/or a strong commitment to human rights work (eg worked with your student union or Amnesty International).

“Interning with Deborah was one of the most interesting and engaging experiences from my time at law school. The work is fast­paced and hands­on with an incredible variety of cases and topics, while the atmosphere is friendly and supportive. There is a constant emphasis on ensuring that we take away valuable lessons from our work, and I know that the skills developed here will serve me well in practice in the future." (2015 - ­2016 Intern)

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“Interning with Deborah was a unique opportunity to work on engaging and complex refugee and human rights issues while still studying. The work was varied, interesting and challenging, and Deborah was always willing to offer guidance on my career, even well after my internship was completed. There are few other opportunities of this calibre available to Law students in New Zealand to gain experience and mentorship in practicing human rights law.” (2014 Intern)

“My internship has been really rewarding. Within the office, I have learned practical skills which will (hopefully) make me a useful junior, and I have received valuable feedback on my opinions and drafting. Outside of it, Deborah has been a fantastic mentor in encouraging me to pursue my passions and putting me into contact with lawyers in these fields. I highly recommend this programme to anyone with an interest in legal practice, or human rights law.” (2016 Intern)

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“Thank you for the chance to intern with you. It is a truly one of a kind experience for Auckland law students interested in human rights. My internship introduced me to the social reality of human rights law, and allowed me to hear clients' stories which truly changed my reality." ­(Andrew, 2015 intern)

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