What's your job about?
My Partner (boss) is one of New Zealand's pre-eminent public law litigators working on cutting-edge matters related to the Crown. The work is often rewarding with our work crossing between acting for the government and sometimes against it. My day-to-day work includes research assistance for my seniors, drafting letters and submissions and being a person to bounce ideas off of at first instance to 'test' the argument.
An 'exemplary' day (which has happened!) would include instructions first thing in the morning, spending the mid and late morning tossing arguments back and forth with your senior for your client, 'sitting on it at lunch, and commencing drafting in the afternoon in time for review by the senior and partner by 4.30 pm – fast-paced, meaningful and professionally stimulating!
The most interesting part of my role is often having to do the 'impossible'. It could be taking something obvious to anyone (the sky is blue) and finding a way to make it fit another circumstance (the sky can actually, be shades orange at times!). Lots of logical reasoning, contextual argumentation and purposive approaches to life make everything exciting to work on (can you argue that orange juice is a 'food'?).
What's your background?
I was born and raised in Wellington New Zealand, but I whakapapa back to Cambodia where my parents came from as refugees. Cultural contexts like that really paint the world around you! While I did my growing up and schooling in Wellington, I did my gap year in Japan (would recommend it!). I would strongly recommend gap years if that is possible as it really does give you the chance to (cringe alert) "find yourself". If anything, it gives you a chance to digest your education and re-evaluate where you want to go.
Professionally, I did clerkships all around government in agencies such as the Treasury and Commerce Commission, so I gained a firm grasp on public law from a Crown perspective. But, I decided to make the trip to the private sector for my graduate year at Simpson Grierson – where I have been for the last year. Bringing public sector experience to a private sector role is deeply valuable (as is reverse I've been told!).
While I have many stories I could share about what made me pick the places I went, the best piece of advice is to grab coffee with as many people as you like! People love to chat about themselves (lawyers especially). Finding key mentors as you grow professionally is as important as honing your professional skills.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
Yes, you can absolutely work at a place like Simpson Grierson even if you do not 'clerk' through the big firms at university. Whatever your experiences, the key thread between them (whether you practice law in the public or private sectors) is kindness, a 'want' to learn and commitment to honing your abilities. No matter where you begin your graduate journey, a person who has the above characteristics is infinitely more helpful than someone who only achieves A+'s and thinks they know the law back to front. I can say that as someone who comes from a 'government' clerkship background!
What's the coolest thing about your job?
The best kind of instruction is the "there isn't anything on this, can you research and give me your opinion?" Public law issues are often niche and not well researched. There is always scope to take the basic building blocks of public and see what you can build with it.
When I hit exhaustion working on a matter, the best confidence and morale boosts is receiving praise from my senior who appreciates my effort and time. You know you're doing something good when you disagree with your senior and subsequently persuade them to see it your way!
What are the limitations of your job?
Often, the most intellectually and professionally stimulating roles demand lots of time and attention. (If the question you have to answer was 'easy', your client would not have come to you!) So, the biggest limitation of a role like this is sometimes the unknown of how busy you may be. Some days you may be quite quiet (enjoy them!) and the next you may be the busiest! Learning to take these 'ebbs and flows' in your stride makes for good mental resilience and flexibility.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...
My top three pieces of advice would be: