Callum practices as a generalist lawyer in the beautiful Taranaki. With 2 years' PQE, he has found his passion in providing high-quality service and legal advice to his clients.

Callum graduated from Victoria University in 2017.  Originally from Wellington, he worked in Levin for 18 months and in 2020 moved to the Taranaki.  Since graduating he has worked primarily in the property and asset planning fields, and is getting more into commercial and corporate law.

His experience in the legal profession has been with smaller firms, assisting in different matters and getting plenty of client interaction.  He loves working directly with clients to help them achieve their goals.

In his spare time, Callum is an amateur pilot, working towards getting his private pilot's licence.  He also volunteers with his local Toastmasters club and is the legal advisor to Mensa New Zealand.  

Callum is enthusiastic about joining the New Lawyers' Group because he knows the power that it has to effect change in the profession. By being part of the group, he hopes to join like-minded lawyers throughout New Zealand to support them on their legal journey, to bring the issues that new lawyers face to the forefront of the profession, and to advance their interests through co-operation with the wider legal section.

At my graduating ceremony from Otago University in December 2016 my rational mind told me to follow the path many of my fellow graduates were on and dive head first into the practice of law. However my heart had other plans, telling me that my home was my backpack, to take a chance, and to immerse oneself in all that the world had to offer.

This ethos guided many decisions over the next four years of my life. After travelling abroad and throughout New Zealand, in January 2021 I felt a calling to finally begin a career as a lawyer and in May 2021 I found myself starting my first day of work in Dunedin, my hometown, at Jenny Beck Law.

Right now I am immersed in the general practice of law and working predominately on family, employment, and conveyancing matters under my wonderful Principal, Jenny Beck, and alongside 8 other amazing junior solicitors. Quite frankly, I am amazed at just how much I have learnt in just 6 short months, and feel so energised thinking about the possibilities that lie ahead in the next 30 years.

My goal as a representative for all young lawyers in the National New Lawyers Group is to proactively consider what our demographic of the legal profession needs in order to grow and contribute to the best of our abilities, so we can create a profession where everyone wins.

Hi there! My name’s Georgia, and I’m currently working at Gibson Sheat Masterton. My legal specialty is Elder Law (Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney, Right Agreements) in Occupation and Estate Administration Law, and I’ve also been doing some work in Trust Law.

I was born and raised in Auckland and went to the University of Auckland to study Law. I moved to the Wairarapa at the beginning of 2021. It was definitely a bit of a culture shock moving from Auckland to the regions, but I’m slowly starting to put down my own roots here. Outside of work, I’m an avid Rugby League fan and enjoy listening to podcasts, exercising (walking, running, playing squash), baking, and have eaching myself how to crochet.

Making the transition from law school into the workforce was confusing and stressful at times, and if it weren’t for the knowledge passed down by my friends who started working before me, I definitely would not have survived. Couple that with moving out of Auckland, and it felt a lot more stressful.

Out of the National New Lawyers Group, I hope that we can create a space for new lawyers to come to and entering the legal profession, ask whatever questions they have about entering the legal profession, especially those who haven’t worked in a law firm before. I also hope that we can connect new lawyers across New Zealand, especially those living outside of the big cities, to create a sense of unity across the country.

I’m really looking forward to being a part of this group and see what tangible change we can create in the legal profession for new lawyers!

Jay Rajendram LLB (Hons)/BMS

Jay is a solicitor at Harkness Henry Lawyers which is based in Hamilton and Paeroa. He specialises in Resource Management, Employment and Alcohol Licensing Law. He completed his studies at the University of Waikato with a conjoint degree of Bachelor of Law with Honours (First Class) and Bachelor of Management Studies, before being admitted to the profession in March 2020.

One of Jay’s career highlights includes authoring the chapter on the Real Estate Agents Disciplinary Tribunal in the 2020 book New Zealand Tribunals: Law and Practice.

Jay enjoyed an association with the Waikato New Lawyers (WNL) Group during his time as a law clerk and while studying law at University, before joining the WNL Committee in June this year. In his short time on the WNL Committee and with the assistance of his fellow Committee Members, Jay was able to organise a panel of esteemed judges to speak to members of WNL about their experiences on the Bench.

He also has an ongoing association with the University of Waikato and frequently volunteers to judge negotiation and client interviewing competitions run by the Waikato University Law Students Association. Jay also volunteers as a mentor for the Asian Law Students Association at the University of Waikato.

On hearing about the exciting initiative of the New Zealand Law Society National New Lawyers Group, Jay saw an opportunity to continue his community involvement with a particular focus on promoting connectedness and collaboration between individuals who are relatively new to the profession.

He believes that there is great value to be had in networking and the sharing of experiences between new lawyers, which is perhaps even more crucial in a profession which can be highly competitive and adversarial.

Josh grew up in Hamilton/Kirikiriroa and has approximately four years of experience as a lawyer. He is the current Chair of the Waikato New Lawyers Committee, which he has been a part of for four years.

The Waikato New Lawyers Committee has organised and run educational and social events for lawyers with 0-7 years PQE (“new lawyers”) to facilitate collegiality between new lawyers and others such as more senior members of the legal profession, the judiciary and other professional groups.

After being in general practise for a short time, Josh has practised predominantly in employment and health and safety law since joining Tompkins Wake’s Disputes Resolution team in 2019. The majority of his work has been advising clients on employment and health and safety matters (both contentious and non-contentious), encountering unique challenges arising from the pandemic.

Josh has a strong sporting background and has deep ties to the Waikato. He hopes the National New Lawyers group can help regional new lawyer groups to have a wider reach in terms of geographical location and practise areas, to better serve the needs and wellbeing of new lawyers and support them in their careers.

Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Kaitlyn White tōku ingoa.

I am thrilled to be a part of the National New Lawyers Group. I was admitted in late 2019 and initially worked for a large commercial law firm. Since March 2020, I have specialised in criminal defence and I work for the Public Defence Service in Christchurch as a PAL 1 lawyer.

My job sees me represent clients across a range of criminal offences and advocate for them, whether that be in conducting defences on their behalf, representing them at sentencing, and everything in between. It is a real privilege to work in a field I am passionate about.

I hope to be a part of setting up the National New Lawyers Group so it continues to benefit new lawyers for years to come and complements the work of our regional groups. Whether it be for mental health and wellbeing support, career planning, mentoring, professional development or social opportunities, I’m excited for the challenge of advocating and supporting our new members of the profession. I want everyone to feel connected and valued as the next generation of lawyers.

In my spare time, you’ll find me out exploring Canterbury’s amazing landscape with my dog Maddy, gardening or volunteering in my local community.

Mat is a senior solicitor in the litigation team at Martelli McKegg Lawyers in Auckland. He began his career working in refugee and immigration law, before moving to a broader litigation practice (in civil, criminal, family, and employment litigation), and now specialising in commercial litigation (including insolvency, construction, employment and general commercial / civil disputes).

Mat has worked in both small suburban and large commercial law firms, so understands the unique pressures that junior lawyers face depending on where they practice. Mat is looking forward to providing young lawyers with a voice and a platform within the New Zealand Law Society, to help make the legal profession a better place to work for everyone.

Thacia was born and raised in Rotorua.  She graduated from the University of Auckland in 2018 with a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce, before living abroad in New York City.  She then returned to Rotorua to start her legal career, which began in a boutique law firm practicing commercial law.  Thacia has since found her niche practising family law at JB Morrison Lawyers.  

Navigating the early stages of your legal career can be a challenge. From finding a workplace that is a good fit for you, to choosing a practice area that fills your cup, to the everyday challenges the legal profession brings.  These are all better faced with support, encouragement, and the knowledge that there are others who can help you navigate the challenges ahead.   

In 2023, Thacia initiated a local young and new lawyers’ group in Rotorua, to promote collegiality among those in the earlier stages of their career.  The smaller regions can be somewhat isolating, particularly when new lawyers are spread around an abundance of small-sized firms.  Thacia is honoured to be part of the National New Lawyers group, which has its sights set on the regions and ensuring that all lawyers are supported, regardless of location.   

I am a solicitor in the litigation team at Brookfields Lawyers in Auckland.  

I did not complete high school but after a bit of a gap I realised I was really passionate about the law and helping people in a different way, I also realised how it impacts so much of our daily lives. I decided to go back to study and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts.  

Following graduating, I began my career working for New Zealand's largest business association, providing employment law advice to members, before moving to a mid sized suburban firm, practicing in their litigation team (family, employment, civil disputes). I gained exposure to a wide range of legal issues and gained my lead provider status in family law. I also volunteered providing legal advice to the Franklin community. 

As someone who understands how challenging things can get in both professional and personal life, I am excited to be part of the National New Lawyers Group. I understand that being new to the legal profession can be daunting and challenging, and I believe that with the right support we can all help each other succeed.  

It is really important that we are able to support each other to ensure that this profession thrives and is a positive experience and a better work place for everyone. 

I am a property and commercial lawyer for Checketts McKay Law based in their Cromwell office. I grew up in rural Southland, before studying at Otago University and settling into my legal career in Central Otago. Away from work I’m usually somewhere between a football field and a golf course.  

I was eager to join this group to provide representation for regional lawyers. There are a lot of benefits to starting your career in the regions and small centres. There is often exposure to a wide variety of work and good opportunities to become involved in the community and build your career. There is of course a smaller base of professionals and others at the same age and stage to connect with so it’s important the new lawyers group finds ways to build and develop those connections. I look forward to finding ways to promote the regions for young lawyers and to improve the experience of young lawyers throughout New Zealand. 

After completing my LLB/BSc at Victoria University in Wellington, I moved to Tauranga and started practice in a commercial firm working in civil litigation and employment. I then changed fields and I now work in criminal law as a Crown Prosecutor at Pollett Legal. I really enjoy the work I do and I have found criminal law a great field for new lawyers to work in. 

Starting your legal career can be daunting, especially if you choose to work outside of the main centres. I am looking forward to providing support for new lawyers who are working in the regions and who may not have a strong network around them as they start their careers. I was very fortunate to have some great mentors around me when I was starting my career (and I still do!) so I hope this group can help others feel the same way. 

My name is Patience, and I grew up in Christchurch. I studied at Waikato University in Hamilton and spent my first few years of practice as general practice solicitor. I currently work at Gaze Burt focusing on Commercial, Trust, and Property Law. 

As many can attest, starting out in your legal career can be a major culture shock. I am thrilled to be part of the National New Lawyers Group who are actively working to create a safe space for new lawyers to connect, ask questions, and learn from one another. I am particularly interested in helping connecting new lawyers located in the more regional areas and smaller legal practices.