r/nzlaw

I’ve been working in an in-house public sector role for the last year. Hasn’t been what I thought it would be, and have had some challenges with work personalities.

I received an offer for a junior solicitor role in a small and private firm. This will be my first time in a private firm, as I’ve been in-house since graduating 3 years ago.

What should I do? There will be a pay decrease, but I’ve heard it gets harder to switch to private later in your career so idk if now’s the time. Any advice?

I’ve just been offered a role at an Australian law firm in Sydney. I’m pretty junior (1pqe), what are the downsides of taking it? I’m honours qualified, and can’t seem to find a role here (left my role due to bullying/toxic culture). I’m nervous I could be walking into a trap given my experience. If there’s someone I can dm please let me know!

Anyone done an Assessment of Staleness of their Law degree for admission to Profs recently? Completed my degree in 2013 and have worked adjacent to lawyers for the past 13 years - will I have to redo uni papers?

Anyone know how smooth the process is to go from Canada to NZ? I currently attend a top 3 law school in Canada with both Canadian and NZ citizenship. My idea was to practice in Canada for a few years before making the move to NZ. How straightforward/common is this shift? Pros/cons to practicing in NZ? Any info would be appreciated. Cheers

Hey guys! I am trying (desperately) to get a job that utilizes my law degree. I have been working for a company doing legal assistant type work for the last year, but the nature of the company has meant I haven't actually been able to make a lot of connections. I'm kind of stuck on where to seek networking events that also don't cost an arm and a leg. Does anyone have any info/suggestions on where to find networking events (especially in Auckland)? Thank you in advance:)

Hi!
Has anyone here gone from an NZ law degree/career as a lawyer to working in NYC?

If so, what path did you take? Did you sit the New York Bar and practise there, or did you end up in another role where your law degree was useful but Bar admission wasn’t required?
I’d love to hear how you made it happen and any advice you’d give. Posting on behalf of a friend who is junior lawyer and interested in this!

Hi everyone,

Posting anonymously because I'm feeling a bit embarrassed, but I'm hoping someone has been in a similar position.

I recently finished my law degree (in New Zealand) and, looking back, I don't think I really understood the importance of the clerkship process until it was essentially too late. I know now what I should have done, but unfortunately I can't go back and change it.

My grades are fairly average, not terrible, but not the kind that seem to open doors at the big commercial firms. I understand that those opportunities may have passed, and I've made peace with that. I was never particularly interested in it anyway!!

What I'm struggling with is figuring out where to go from here.

I genuinely want to work in law. I just want the opportunity to gain post-university legal experience, get admitted, build practical skills, and gradually develop my career. I don't have any connections or friends in law.

For those who didn't get a clerkship or graduate role through the traditional pathway:

* How did you get your first legal job? How did you get PQE or would advise someone too? * What types of firms or organisations were willing to give you a chance? * Are there particular roles or practice areas that are more accessible for graduates with average grades? * Is it realistic to build a successful legal career starting outside the large firms?

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has taken a less traditional path into the profession, or from people involved in hiring who have advice. Right now it feels like I missed the "correct" pathway before I even knew it existed, and I'm trying to work out the best way forward.

Thanks in advance from someone who's only just realised how the process works and is determined to make the most of where I am now.

Small firm lawyers of New Zealand, we’re a long time Actionstep customer and have been growing more and more aggrieved and frustrated.

We just had a Clio demo. It was exciting, feature dense and looks far superior. I am prone to excitement with new legal tech and so would love any Clio user feedback on experience and comparisons with Actionstep ?