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Duncan Cotterill

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4.4
  • #1 in Law
  • 100 - 500 employees

Duncan Cotterill Reviews

Based on 11 surveyed graduates working at Duncan Cotterill. Read on to get an insider’s view on life as a graduate.
4.4
Based on 11 reviews

Pros & Cons

  • The workplace culture. Duncan Cotterill is an excellent place to work for graduates and does not have the hierarchical and 'burn-out' culture generally associated with larger law firms . The firm's graduate programme provides fresh graduates with everything they need to know about starting their professional career in a law firm, as well as the quintessential details about how the firm operates. Overall, my entry into the legal profession has been full of support and experience.
  • Working with an outstanding team and working on some interesting matters, progressing my career.
  • The people in the office create not only a fun but a safe and welcoming environment that encourages questions and development.
  • The team I work with are very supportive and set aside a lot of time to answer my questions and teach me how to do things. There is a huge amount of experience at my company for me to learn from. I get exposed to a wide range of work.
  • Very variable experience depending on which partners/managers you report to and work under.
  • The pay as a graduate can be trying. It is especially difficult as the living costs in the larger cities continue to rise.
  • Not a lot of social activities (a lot of this can be put down to Covid though to be fair).
  • Having to work late hours sometimes.

What Insiders Say

8.4
Career Prospects
8.4
Career Prospects
The firm is very transparent on promotion opportunities and the particular timeframes that need to be exhausted before such opportunities are accessible. It creates something to work towards.
7.2
Corporate Social Responsibility
7.2
Corporate Social Responsibility
My company is involved with a number of charities and initiatives through donating, and also by providing pro bono work. personally, I have been involved with an initiative where staff bought I donations to give to organisations at Christmas time.
8.5
Culture
8.5
Culture
The culture at DC is outstanding. During working hours, the office is professional and work to a very high standard. That said, everyone knows how to have fun and release a bit of banter. The team is very supportive and encouraging to junior lawyers. The socialising amongst the firm also brings a nice culture to the workplace, as everyone is friendly and easygoing.
7.5
Diversity
7.5
Diversity
The firm has a high number of women, including amongst the partnership. The firm has good racial diversity but still predominately NZ-European.
8.2
Satisfaction
8.2
Satisfaction
I feel like I have a good variation in the work I do. My day-to-day responsibilities largely involve drafting documents and emails and administrative tasks, but the firm is encouraging of new skills and I've been getting more involved with private client work.
8.5
Management
8.5
Management
Everybody is very accessible and are great mentors. Senior staff always make time for you to help you progress in your learning.
8.9
Office Work Environment
8.9
Office Work Environment
The offices are lovely and modern, all open plan and very accessible. Dress code is what you would expect (formal attire for day-to-day and client meetings), though we do have casual Fridays which is great.
7.8
Recruitment
7.8
Recruitment
The interview process was very good. The process was robust yet very welcoming and warming. Following the interview, I underwent a 'networking' session with some select staff within the office, along with the other candidates. This process was a lot of fun, and provided us all with the opportunity to engage in conversation with some of the team and really assess the workplace culture. I was asked questions about my CV and to elaborate on certain situations/experiences. They asked why I studied law and why I want to work in the area I was applying for. They asked why I wanted to work at DC and also about my strengths and weaknesses. Be the best (authentic) version of yourself. Don't try to say things that you think will impress the interviewers. Think about the ways you can add value to the firm not just workwise but culture-wise as well. Show that you are humble and are keen to learn. Don't try to oversell your legal skills - working in a law firm is vastly different to going through law school.
6.8
Salary
6.8
Salary
Pay is at a competitive level compared to the rest of the market. We don't get the end of year bonuses per se but did receive many care packages and gifts over the COVID-19 lockdowns which I was very much grateful for as it made working over lockdown that much easier. At Christmas we're usually given vouchers which are also much appreciated given that time of year can be very expensive. The work-life balance the firm is able to accommodate I think is the best perk.
8.2
Training
8.2
Training
I attended a 3-day induction at the start of my job. This was good and covered the basics. I also attended a one-day induction 6 months into the job. During these inductions, we had seminars from different members of staff covering different topics and areas of law. This was quite a high level but was good. We also have sessions relating to practical things such as how the firm promotions work and time recording etc. I feel like the informal training that I have received from my colleagues has been good. If I have a question they will take the time to explain/show me how to do something so I can do it in the future.
7.9
Work Hours
7.9
Work Hours
Pretty flexible, there is an expectation that if there is work that needs to be done you will get it done, but not that you will stay in the office just for the sake of it. Most partners seem flexible about taking time to do things you need to during the day, within reason
5.8
Sustainability
5.8
Sustainability
Provides bicycle parking, collects recycling, unclear if any other green initiatives.