Who are the foreign lawyers working in New Zealand?

I have seen foreign lawyers succeed but also face challenges while living and moving to New Zealand. Some of them have managed to find jobs in law firms, companies, banks, non-governmental organisations, in the government, or work independently. The path each of them took to secure these jobs has been different. In some cases, they arrived in the country with a secure job, and in others, they came to study and later found work. On the other hand, there are also cases where these foreign lawyers came to New Zealand with their families for some reason and then, upon arrival, sought work in the legal industry.

The Experience of Foreign Lawyers Working in New Zealand

At Pink Fern Consulting, we want to celebrate the successes of foreign lawyers who are part of our community and share their stories to inspire other foreign lawyers and future lawyers who want to come to work or study in New Zealand.

Who Are the Foreign Lawyers and What Are They Doing in the Legal Industry in New Zealand?

The profile and work experience of foreign lawyers working in New Zealand's legal industry is diverse. Most of these lawyers studied law in their home countries. Some also pursued postgraduate studies, including master’s degrees in law (with various specialisations), doctorates, or postgraduate diplomas in New Zealand or another country. Some foreign lawyers have decided to undergo the process of having their studies and work experience reviewed by the New Zealand Council of Legal Education (NZCLE), also known as the Overseas Qualification Assessment, to obtain the certificate that allows them to practise law as local lawyers in New Zealand.

In the professional sphere, the profiles are very diverse. However, in general, most work in the commercial area, in non-litigation matters, or in less traditional roles where they engage in activities related to law. For example, some of the transferable areas include data privacy law, environmental law, copyright law, intellectual property law, anti-money laundering, and regulatory compliance.

What Are the Most Common Challenges Faced by Foreign Lawyers Working in New Zealand?

The biggest challenge foreign lawyers face in integrating into New Zealand’s legal industry is the lack of information. Few online resources explain how foreign lawyers can practise their profession without being admitted to the High Court of New Zealand. It is also not easy to communicate with the authority to understand the necessary requirements and apply for admission to the High Court.

Another problem they face, related to the lack of information, is the perception that the legal industry is very conservative and that it is difficult to integrate into a law firm or work in something related to our profession. There are countries much more open, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, that are accustomed to receiving talent from all over the world. Unlike those countries, where foreign lawyers traditionally study for a master’s degree to gain the right to take a bar exam and be admitted, New Zealand does not work that way.

This is another misconception that many foreign lawyers have, as they think that pursuing a master’s degree in law in New Zealand will open doors to jobs in the legal industry. The reality is that in New Zealand, work experience carries more weight than academic credentials.

What Is the Work Culture Like in New Zealand?

New Zealand is a country of just over 5 million inhabitants. This makes it a different market compared to the large cities of countries like Mexico, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which have many more inhabitants and dynamic commercial relationships.

The work culture in New Zealand’s legal industry is generally calm and balanced (compared to other markets where the workload is much larger). Here, the expectation is not for a lawyer to work 15 hours every day and be available all the time at weekends. The work pace is simply different because people appreciate being able to leave work and return home to have quality time outside the office during the workweek. This is a cultural shock for foreign lawyers who are used to much more active and competitive work environments, where asking for holidays or a day off is frowned upon, and where competition is such that one must respond to clients as soon as possible regardless of the time to differentiate from others.

On one hand, this is very positive, as it allows for the careful study and analysis of each matter and enables individuals to live with less stress and enjoy other things outside work. On the other hand, for those lawyers who expect to be involved in transactions similar to those of the large markets mentioned earlier, the experience in New Zealand may differ from what they anticipated.