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 Niamh Leuthart
Solicitor, Fee Langstone, Auckland
“As Fee Langstone is known for being a leading firm in the insurance industry, all the staff and partners know how to deliver the right support to help you to perform at your best.”
What career steps have you taken to get to this point?
I studied a double degree of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Bachelor of Arts (Politics) at the University of Otago down in Dunedin for 4.5 years. I finished off the last 6 months of my law degree on at exchange, at University College Dublin, in Ireland.
I gained my initial legal experience working as a law clerk at a boutique law firm in my university holidays. There, I assisted on a range of matters within the Trusts and Estates team and was involved in preparing matters in the Family Court, District Court and Mental Health Court. I have been able to apply this early experience into commercial litigation matters at Fee Langstone.
What kind of work have you been involved with Fee Langstone?
The great thing about insurance litigation is that each matter you deal with is different! I have been involved in a range of matters over the year and across a broad range of law, including construction disputes, professional indemnity, negligence and regulatory investigations.
My roles within these matters vary from carrying out in-depth research on various law, drafting settlement agreements, chronologies of facts and letters to lawyers, and discovery document review. In addition, as a junior I also contribute to the firm newsletter and LinkedIn articles that are posted every month. It is a great way to brush up my legal writing and research updates in the law.
What do you enjoy about working at Fee Langstone?
I love that the work is so different! I am able to apply all the learnings from law school into my job and develop my skills in legal analysis. Insurance litigation is great for anyone who is enthusiastic about delivering outcomes for clients and solving complex disputes within a team.
I also love the tight knit culture that Fee Langstone fosters. It is inclusive and accepting of all people and celebrates difference through initiatives such as the Diversity Committee. The people here really make it such an enjoyable place to come to work every day!
What has been the most challenging part of working at Fee Langstone?
Fee Langstone has provided a wonderful environment for me to learn and evolve into my role as a junior lawyer from the start. However, the most challenging part has been that personal transition from uni-life to working. It was sometimes a hard and time-pressured task to deliver work urgently and to a high-standard. It took some time to get used to the pace and there were a few learnings along the way. But, with the help of Fee Langstone, I am now confident in my ability to deliver and enjoy a fast-paced environment to contribute within.
As Fee Langstone is known for being a leading firm in the insurance industry, all the staff and partners know how to deliver the right support to help you to perform at your best.
What is unique about working at Fee Langstone?
Fee Langstone has a unique firm structure. There is no traditional hierarchy and the Partner-to-Solicitor ratio is high. This means that you are quite often working directly with Partners and Senior Associates on a matter and getting involved from the outset. I believe this creates a great learning environment, enabling me to be able to deliver to the Partners’ and Clients’ needs efficiently.
What is the social life like at Fee Langstone?
Fee Langstone does an amazing job at creating a social life. The firm has Friday-night drinks every Friday which is a great way to unwind from the busy week with colleagues. There is a monthly solicitors’ lunch, in addition to big events like the Midwinter Dinner, the Client Functions, and Christmas Party. The Christmas party is always such a highlight and this year we were out on a boat in the Hauraki Golf! I have also loved getting involved in the fundraising and sporting events such as volunteering at the City Mission, Quiz Night and the Corporate Challenge. Each event is a great way to bond with colleagues outside of work and have a bit of fun.
Did anything surprise you while working at Fee Langstone?
One thing that surprised me was how was supportive the firm has been. This was particularly when completing my Profs studies in the first half of the year. We have a great working from home policy that enables you to work from home when you need to. As always, there is an expectation to deliver work to a high standard and this sometimes requires working overtime when meeting a deadline. But the firm really values work-life balance and encourages all staff to prioritise well-being and your weekends!
What has been your favourite experience at Fee Langstone?
My favourite experience has been working on a file with high-profile businesses and people at the centre. Fee Langstone contributes to meaningful cases and it has been fun to be involved in some.
What is your advice to other students who would like to work with Fee Langstone?
My advice for anyone wishing to pursue a job with Fee Langstone is to ensure that you are yourself and show your passion about all things dispute resolution in your cover letter and/or interview. Insurance litigation is a lot broader than you think. Of course, express your interest in the industry but above all, express your desire to learn and show who you are as a person!
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.