"The court can be an unpredictable environment and it's extremely costly. In the last nine years I have learned a lot about how to resolve claims in terms of alternative dispute resolution and mediation. There is quite a lot of psychology in the process. It's not about just the law. Understanding people and what motivates them is key to resolving a case and avoiding court."
Mrs Douglas has worked in London and Auckland since she qualified in 1989. Before joining Treadwell Gordon in mid-July, she spent nine years, the last two as a partner, in an Auckland boutique law firm specialising in dispute resolution.
However, a move to a home in rural Clevedon prompted a change of direction.
"Commuting to Auckland city, day in and day out, was really hard yards. So I was looking to move away from it all and maybe set up by myself in Clevedon when along came this opportunity.
"I thought 'that is a rather dynamic law firm looking for someone not based where they are based'. I'm mixing it up - I live in Clevedon and I spend as much time as I'm needed in Whanganui. It's a breeze. I hop on a nice little (Air Chathams) plane, get my Tim Tam and I'm here.
"I can work remotely but I'm in daily contact with the office in Whanganui. If I need to see clients or meet with the partners or anyone else in the firm, I just hop on a plane and I can do that at the drop of a hat.
"I was drawn to the firm because it's dynamic and prepared to think outside the box. It's a whole different mindset. They are lovely people - smart thinking, warm and wonderful. It says a lot about the firm and how they think that they have recruited three senior practitioners from Auckland in the last wee while.
"Law is a bit slower than other industries in remote working but it's starting. There's no replacement for face-to-face and at some point you need some face-time with your client but it doesn't need to be frequent.
"I've done quite a bit of work remotely before. Not every day but enough that I'm confident it will work."