What is your job about?
I am a law clerk in Lane Neave’s Christchurch litigation team. As part of my role, I assist my colleagues in a number of civil litigation matters. Civil litigation covers any and all disputes in which a party seeks compensation from another for an alleged wrong. In other words, we act for clients who have “beef” with another person or entity.
In my role, I conduct a lot of legal research to determine what our client’s potential options are. But I also prepare court documents, draft letters of demand and review legal disputes ranging from relatively trivial to cases involving millions of dollars. The cases I work on are extremely varied. Because civil litigation covers all legal disputes, I could be working on a land dispute one minute and a divorce settlement the next!
What’s your Background?
I spent my high school years in Hawkes Bay and came to Christchurch in 2020. As much as I love Hawkes Bay, I was looking for somewhere a bit bigger to attend university. In year 13, like many high school students, I still had no idea what I wanted to do. After failing algebra and calculus in year 12, I knew I wasn’t destined for any job that involved science or numbers. But I loved debating at high school (and got quite good at it thanks to arguments at home with Mum) so decided law would be a good fit.
During my legal studies at the University of Canterbury, I was fortunate enough to serve on the Law Students’ Society twice. Both as Education and Welfare Officer and Social Officer. I also loved being able to take (probably too many) days off from studying to head up to Mount Hutt for a ski.
During the summer of 2022/2023, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to summer clerk at Lane Neave in Christchurch, where I spent time in both the Corporate and Litigation teams. I was also lucky enough to remain as a Casual Law Clerk with the Litigation Team throughout my last year of study in 2023. I began as a graduate in February of 2024 and hope to become administered as a solicitor by the end of the year.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Of course! If everyone had the same background, the job would be meaningless. Litigation involves working with others to come up with creative and innovative solutions to legal disputes. It also requires a keen eye for detail and preparing legal opinions. It is important that all legal teams (not just litigation) have a diverse range of people to allow for a productive workplace.
What’s the coolest thing about your job?
Nerdy I know, but I love the diverse range of legal research I get to complete. Being able to look into real-life, niche legal issues and form your own opinions about them is so cool. It is also such a good feeling when you find the exact answer, you’re looking for buried in the footnote of some obscure legal commentary!
What are the limitations of your job?
The biggest limitation would likely be the ‘imposter syndrome’. It is easy to think that you’re “not ready” to start dealing with real life clients and their situations. Just remember that everyone has to start somewhere and there are plenty of people around to help you along the way.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student?