Program Overview

Introduction to the Coffee Mates Programme

The Coffee Mates Programme is designed for penultimate and final year Law students at the University of Auckland. This programme aims to provide students with career insights from law professionals in the industry, helping them understand where a Law degree can take them.

How the Programme Works

This programme is targeted at penultimate and final year Law students who have not had exposure to lawyers and are interested in learning more about the professional and commercial world. The goal is to demystify lawyers and law firms. Selected students will be matched with three professionals who have law degrees, and they will meet individually for a coffee and a tour of their workplaces at a time that suits both parties. This is an opportunity for students to ask questions and learn from the achievements of these professionals.

Professionals Involved

The professionals involved in the programme have varied backgrounds, including those working for law firms (private practice), as lawyers for companies (in-house), and in careers outside of the law (for example, in an accounting firm or investment bank). They specialize in different commercial areas, including corporate, employment, finance, tax, property, and commercial litigation. Note that these professionals do not specialize in criminal law or other personal areas such as human rights, immigration, or family law.

Programme Schedule

The Coffee Mates Programme runs during semester 2. It concludes with a final networking event, providing further opportunities for students to connect with professionals in the field.

Testimonies from Participants

Previous participants have found the programme highly beneficial, with comments including:

• Definitely a highlight of my law school experience! Really grateful for the opportunity. I learnt so much and it helped improve my confidence!
• It was really helpful to hear about the different pathways that people took to end up in their current roles. It was also helpful hearing from people whose law degrees took them in different directions.

Application and Contact

While the application process and point of contact are crucial for interested students, the specifics of these aspects are not detailed here to maintain the focus on programme details as per the instructions.

Related Information

The programme is part of the broader offerings of the Auckland Law School, which includes various study options, research opportunities, and support for students and alumni. The school is committed to providing a comprehensive legal education and fostering connections between students, alumni, and the legal profession.