What's your job about?
Buddle Findlay is a full-service law firm that does market leading work, with the goal of maintaining and improving Aotearoa New Zealand in all aspects. If you want to work for an organisation where you can be appreciated for being your authentic self, then Buddle is the right firm for you.
Each day at Buddle Findlay is different. As a law clerk, my day-to-day tasks consist of legal research, drafting advice to clients, preparing evidence, and discussing complex legal issues with my colleagues.
Collaboration is a strong value at Buddle Findlay. We work across various disciplines, so you can find yourself working closely with various teams on aspects of the law you never thought you would get to experience.
I feel lucky to work at Buddle Findlay, as my colleagues truly believe in my abilities. The amount of responsibility you have as a junior is rare, I think. For example, after only a few months working at Buddle I was trusted to provide legal advice to clients by myself. You're not alone in this process though. My colleagues are incredibly supportive, but also encourage me to step out of comfort zone. This team structure creates strong relationships, and heaps of opportunities for mentoring and growth.
What's your background?
I grew up in Tāmaki Makaurau, but as a kid I moved around a lot. I lived in England and Australia before settling down in New Zealand when I was 14. Moving countries made me appreciate Aotearoa so much more now that I'm older. I whakapapa to Whakatōhea in the Bay of Plenty, so when I came back to New Zealand I made a concerted effort to connect with Te Ao Māori.
I studied at Victoria University, where I completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Māori studies. My culture inspired me to strive for a career in the law. My iwi is currently going through our Treaty Settlement, and I wanted to be able to engage in this important process in a meaningful way, not merely as a bystander. Diversity and inclusion are strong values at Buddle Findlay, so these passions and motivations that were important to me, were also important to the firm and helped them see how our values aligned.
My work experience has definitely helped shape me. From McDonalds to commercial laundromats, to a boutique family law firm, the Human Rights Commission, and finally, Buddle Findlay. I summer clerked at Buddle in 2020 and came back as a law clerk in 2022. My part-time jobs, for all their flaws, were incredibly crucial in my journey to working at a law firm. These jobs improved my work ethic, teamwork, and communications skills, preparing me for life in a fast-paced corporate world.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
My favourite thing about Buddle Findlay is the opportunities you have to grow. At Buddle you don't have to wait years before you get real legal experience. In only 6 months at Buddle Findlay fresh out of University, I have attended mediations, appeared at a Court hearing, and drafted my own legal proceedings. I always thought these opportunities were reserved for Seniors, and Juniors were just note takers and pen pushers. This is not the case at Buddle. I never feel as if I'm at the bottom of a hierarchy. Rather, I am encouraged to push my limits and grow.
What are the limitations/challenges of your job?
The downside to having a lot of responsibility is that you are accountable for the work you do, good and bad. In my team at Buddle Findlay our work is incredibly fast-paced. It's easy to make mistakes whilst trying to learn and keep up. The work you do has real impacts on people, so naturally, any mistakes you make can harm those you are trying to help. While these pressures can be difficult to deal with at first, recognising when to ask for help is the best thing you will learn in your first few years as a lawyer.
Three pieces of advice for your university-self?