You may be familiar with the 2019 David Epstein book entitled Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialised World. The author makes a general argument against focusing too narrowly early on in one’s career. With this in mind, I would...
The general advice for lawyers starting out is to work in as many areas of the law as possible in order to discover an area that brings you maximum enjoyment. However, when it comes to mid-level lawyers, they can to easily find...
As another year rolls into place for the legal profession in New Zealand I was going to put together a few words about achieving a better work-life balance in 2023. But, the more I thought about this phrase (which I have been guilty...
As a law practitioner you may well have found that your career path over the past few years has been a bumpy one - both health wise and economically. For some practices this period of change has resulted in a detailed review of...
What first came to mind when you glanced at the heading above? Chances are you were imagining a rather rotund legal practitioner, reclined in their office chair, tucking into a steaming meat pie or a bucket of KFC – their desk, keyboard and files covered...
Setting goals is an important part of building a long and successful legal career. For many, the ultimate goal is to secure a position supporting high-profile clients within one of the large Canterbury firms. Nevertheless, many solicitors currently working in smaller practices can testify to...
With the arrival of a new year, I thought it would be an opportune time to provide a few pointers to those in the profession who have just completed, or are thinking of, a transition to a new firm. In particular, I am thinking of...
Some ambitious solicitors will have their eye on promotion opportunities from their first day in a new role. Others, perhaps the more realistic, will perceive that considerable water must “pass under the bridge” before conquering a move up their legal career ladder. They realise that...
Recently I have found myself becoming a regular watcher of the TV game show The Chase. No doubt you are familiar with the part of the show where a contestant is offered a choice of various financial rewards in return for answering additional questions....
Have you thought about looking for a new role in the past few months? If, like The Clash, you may have been thinking ‘Should I stay or should I go?’. Perhaps you have been wondering whether you should keep looking, or...
Just as you can vaccinate against a particular disease, you can also vaccinate your legal career from harm. As a legal recruitment specialist, I would like to offer the following advice on how to build up your immunity levels – which...
Are the signals you are sending turning your current or potential future employers off? Perhaps the first signal you send a future employer is your resumé. A resumé shows that you know how to fit in, it is proof of compliance, and has the keywords...