Updating Results

Lane Neave NZ

+ Add a review
4.1
  • #3 in Law
  • 100 - 500 employees

Amelia McLuskie

The interesting nature of the work definitely outweighs any limitations!

What's your job about?

I am a solicitor at Lane Neave, a law firm offering legal services in a variety of areas, providing both business and personal expertise.  Having started earlier this year as a graduate in the litigation and disputes resolution team, my work is centred around helping resolve civil disputes.  Given the nature of litigation, this means I am exposed to work in a variety of areas, ranging from contractual disputes to relationship property matters.  While my tasks differ day to day, it often involves researching legal issues, drafting letters, preparing documents for court and assisting with discovery.  These tasks take place over a variety of files.  There are always multiple files on the go at once and as a graduate, I work on files with experienced lawyers.  No matter whether tasks on a file are big or small, it is great to get to learn about so many different areas of law.  

What's your background?

Having been interested in law and politics since mid-High School, when it came to enrolling at university, it was an easy choice to pursue a Bachelor of Law and Arts.  As for the university, having grown up in Christchurch I chose to stay in the city and attend the University of Canterbury.  I had a fantastic time there, making the most of the opportunities on offer, whether it was getting involved in business incubators or attending a summer course at Peking University in Beijing!  During my first four years of university, I worked a variety of jobs, including at the University of Canterbury Library.  In my penultimate year, I took the opportunity to gain legal experience by applying for a summer clerkship at Lane Neave.  My summer at the firm involved working in the litigation and immigration teams, which gave me a great insight into working in law and the firm’s friendly culture.  Since then I have completed my degrees and started work this year in the litigation and disputes resolution team.  Having recently been admitted as a barrister and solicitor, I am looking forward to gaining more work experience!

Could someone with a different background do your job?

While someone with a different background to me could certainly do my job, to practice law in New Zealand a law degree and a practising certificate are required.  After finishing a law degree, the next step is to complete the legal professionals’ course.  This is typically a 13-18 week course in which you learn practical legal skills, such as negotiating and letter writing.  After completing the course there is the paperwork that must be completed in order to be admitted and obtain a practising certificate. 

What's the coolest thing about your job?

The best part about my job is the opportunity to find solutions to legal issues and help resolve disputes.  Every task and file is different, which keeps work very interesting.  While as a recent graduate I haven’t appeared in Court myself, it has been a  great experience to see some of my team in action in Court and attend a mediation. 

What are the limitations of your job?

Working in law does have its limitations in that you must be prepared to take on responsibility and longer hours now and then.  When work needs to be done, work needs to be done.  In saying this, the interesting nature of the work definitely outweighs any limitations!

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

  1. Make the most of all that university has to offer, whether it be an opportunity to volunteer, attend exam workshops or connect with friends! 
  2. Try not to leave that assessment to the last minute.
  3. Prioritise applying for internships/job opportunities over assignments.  Getting experience is so much more valuable than a slightly higher grade in an assignment.