Every year Fee Langstone welcomes law students from across New Zealand who are interested in insurance litigation to apply for graduate positions.
Areas of expertise: Insurance, Dispute Resolution, Corporate and Commercial litigation, Maritime & Transportation, Construction Disputes, Professional Indemnity, Statutory Investigations
Staff: 7 partners, 30 solicitors and support staff
Contact: Kate Murray, General Manager
About the firm
Fee Langstone is a specialist insurance and commercial litigation practice consisting of seven partners and approximately thirty staff. We act for most of the country’s major insurers and many overseas insurers.
As insurance lawyers we provide advice on insurance generally: policy interpretation, drafting policy wordings, acting for insurers in insurance disputes and so forth. However, a significant part of our practice is commercial litigation. In this regard, we are engaged by our insurer clients to act for their insured customers – usually professionals or companies – who are involved in civil disputes or professional disciplinary matters. These types of claims can be against lawyers, accountants, construction professionals, financial advisors and other professionals. We also act for insured entities who are being investigated or prosecuted under various statutory bodies such as Worksafe, the Commerce Commission, and the Resource Management Act.
The lawyers at Fee Langstone have acted in some of New Zealand’s most complex cases. Our lawyers regularly attend Court, mediation and other dispute resolution forums.
As litigation and dispute resolution lawyers, we are pragmatic and resolution focussed. Our aim is to cut through the complexity and get to commercial clarity as quickly and cost effectively as possible.
We are ranked in The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific as a Tier 1 firm for Insurance and Tier 3 for Dispute Resolution. All of our partners are recommended lawyers in the Legal 500, with Philippa Fee and Craig Langstone both being recognised in the Hall of Fame and Pauline Davies and Cecily Brick named as leading individuals. In Chambers Asia-Pacific we are ranked in Band 1 for Insurance.
Working at the firm
At Fee Langstone our solicitors enjoy the challenge and complexity of the type of high-end work that they might expert at one of the big firms. However, the firm’s smaller size provides a supportive environment with a strong focus on training and development, and staff well-being.
As an essential part of our team, you’ll work closely with many of the best lawyers in the industry, growing your knowledge and litigation skills. You’ll be involved in a wide range of matters, from claims relating to negligence, contractual issues, professional misconduct, to corporate governance and regulatory investigations.
Our insurance clients depend on us to provide timely, pragmatic advice, often regarding highly complex matters. The broad nature of insurance litigation means you’ll be involved in the resolution of claims with wide ranging factual scenarios and various methods of resolution including negotiation, mediation and court.
Fee Langstone has recently signed up to Diversity Works NZ and is proud of its inclusive culture, in which everyone is supported to reach their full potential. We are working towards obtaining the Rainbow Tick accreditation and have signed up to the NZLS Gender Equality Charter. There are opportunities for you to become involved in our Diversity, Charity, and Sustainability Committees, and to be involved in many social events.
Meet Shikha Kishun
Senior Solicitor, Fee Langstone, Auckland
“No day looks the same at Fee Langstone. The work varies, and often I am working on complex matters, which can be challenging but makes for a very engaging and rewarding day. The Fee Langstone team are also very supportive and approachable. The partners are great mentors and are happy to push and challenge you into being a better lawyer.”
What career steps have you taken to get to this point?
I completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Accounting and Economics) conjoint degree from the University of Auckland. After I graduated, I worked at a large general insurance company and then spent 3.5 years at another rapidly growing insurance underwriting agency, in their risk and compliance team. I then moved into private practice at Fee Langstone.
What kind of work have you been involved with Fee Langstone?
I have worked on a variety of different matters so far including regulatory compliance issues and insurance claims relating to construction, marine, professional liability including disciplinary complaints.
What do you enjoy about working at Fee Langstone?
No day looks the same at Fee Langstone. The work varies, and often I am working on complex matters, which can be challenging but makes for a very engaging and rewarding day.
The Fee Langstone team are also very supportive and approachable. The partners are great mentors and are happy to push and challenge you into being a better lawyer.
What has been the most challenging part of working at Fee Langstone?
I have worked in the insurance industry for several years, including some time in an in-house role, but not in private practice. It was therefore challenging to adapt to a new way of working. However, all the partners, solicitors and support staff at Fee Langstone have been wonderful, helping me find my feet in the first few months. And answering all my questions!
What is unique about working at Fee Langstone?
We have direct access to the firm’s seniors and partners who are experts in insurance law. It is inspiring to learn directly from some of the best legal minds in the country.
Fee Langstone offers a lot of flexibility and the opportunity to get involved in different types of work to figure out what you find enjoyable.
What is the social life like at Fee Langstone?
It’s not always about the work and Fee Langstone actively encourages all its staff to have a healthy work/life balance.
There are many social events throughout the year such as the Fee Langstone client function, and networking and Christmas events.
Did anything surprise you while working at Fee Langstone?
I was given the opportunity to “get stuck in” to the work on my first day, which was surprising in a really good way as there is no better way to learn than on the job!
What has been your favourite experience at Fee Langstone?
Working in private practice has been a great experience. It is different to being in an in-house role, with different challenges and complexities. I have also enjoyed getting involved in a couple of litigation matters and looking forward to hopefully joining one of the partners in court soon!
What is your advice to other students who would like to work with Fee Langstone?
My advice to graduates would be to keep your options open. Don’t think that you have to follow a set path after finishing university.
I would say to anyone wanting to work at Fee Langstone, don’t be hesitant to apply for a role here or come for an interview. Be yourself and be open about the types of work you want to get into. Insurance law is a very rewarding area to get into and by working at Fee Langstone, you will be working alongside leading insurance experts, and give the best possible start to your legal career.