Graduates opt to grow law career in Whanganui

Whanganui returnee Nick Robertson and Whanga-newbie Rebecca Hay are laying down the law. Photo/Stuart Munro

Emma Russell continues her series charting the stories of former Whanganui students who have gone on to success in the big, wide world

Migrating to Whanganui to begin a career in law was a no-brainer for Armstrong Barton's latest recruits.

Law graduates, 24-year-old Nick Robertson and 27-year-old Rebecca Hay, say they are right where they want to be - working in a provincial close-knit town helping people.

Nick, a Whanganui returnee, has spent the past two years in property and conveyancing law.

"The great thing about law is that there are so many different areas you can go into, it's just working out what's best for you."

The former Whanganui High School student said it was in his last year of secondary school that he decided to become a lawyer.

"Originally I wanted to get into the police force, but my father's a lawyer and he's been my biggest role model so eventually I opted for law instead."

Nick graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Law in 2015. It wasn't long after that he moved back to his hometown to take a job with law firm Armstrong Barton, where his father is a partner.

Nick said the most challenging part of his job was being chucked in the deep end.

"Going from uni where everything is in theory to putting everything you've learnt to practice is a jump.

"Things get thrown at you and sometimes you don't know the answer but you gradually build up the knowledge," he said.

Rebecca, a Whanga-newbie, moved here six weeks ago with her partner, who is Whanganui born and raised, and has immersed herself in family law.

"For me, it's the type of law that suits my interests. I like working face-to-face with people and making a real difference in their lives."

Before taking the job with Armstrong Barton, she worked at Cooper Legal in Wellington for four years doing historic abuse claims.

"I loved that job so I decided I wanted to carry on in that area."

But the Invercargill-born lawyer admitted law wasn't the first career path she considered.

"I thought about becoming a flight attendant, an actress, an interior designer, a journalist, even a forensic scientist after becoming addicted to CSI."

She didn't get into law the first time round but getting knocked back made her realise how badly she wanted to become a lawyer.

"Maybe it was my stubbornness that made me all the more determined."

Hard work paid off when she graduated from the University of Otago with a double degree in law and politics.

To students considering a career in law, Rebecca said, "Just do it."

"It can take a while to work out what kind of law suits you. I was lucky to find my niche in my first job. Some of my friends have hated their first job but after moving to a different area in law love it."

To students unsure what career path to take, Nick said, "Take your time."

"There's no rush. Don't dive into something you're unsure about, you're young, there's plenty of time."

Both lawyers plan to grow their career within Armstrong Barton in Whanganui.