At McVeagh Fleming, you’ll have the opportunity to work on challenging and rewarding projects every day.
Staff: 20 partners, 41 lawyers, 140 staff in total.
Contact: Silvia Zheng
You’ll be part of a team of dedicated professionals who are constantly pushing the limits to deliver exceptional results for our clients and contribute to the betterment of our community.
Working at the firm
At McVeagh Fleming, we believe in fostering a culture of personalisation, friendliness, and efficiency in our service to clients. Our long-standing commitment to helping clients reach their goals has created a stable and established environment within the firm. This unique atmosphere is reflected in the personable service and cost-effective, practical advice that we provide to our clients.
Our team at McVeagh Fleming is composed of experienced individuals who have been with the firm for many years. We pride ourselves on fostering an informal and family-friendly environment, where our team members work closely together and share a strong sense of camaraderie. This is further strengthened through regular social activities and get-togethers. Overall, McVeagh Fleming is a great place to work, and we are proud of the culture we have built
Areas of expertise
At McVeagh Fleming, we pride ourselves on our deep roots in the community and our extensive understanding of local legal matters. Our firm offers a comprehensive range of legal services, including corporate and commercial law, property law, litigation, and specialised practice areas. With over a century of experience serving the people of Auckland, we have the expertise and resources to handle any legal issue that arises.
The opportunities for students
Summer Clerkship Programme or Law Clerkship.
Meet Rosanna Wu
Law Clerk
“As a junior, having opportunities for professional development and career growth is crucial. Our firm supports us to attend regular seminars, workshops, and conferences to further our legal education, as well as industry networking and social events to connect with other members of the profession. ”
What inspired you to pursue a career in law?
I love helping people! It is such a privilege to have the knowledge and be in a position to effect real, meaningful change in people’s lives. Coming from a strong volunteering background, I have always really cared about serving the community and helping others resolve their problems and improve their situations, including assisting vulnerable people to navigate the legal system and overcome barriers that obstruct their path to justice. A career in law provides an effective platform to give back to the community and make a material difference in society.
How did you choose your area of specialisation?
Family law was a natural choice for me because it has long been my passion to make this world a better place for children and support them to thrive and flourish. In my volunteering, I encountered many families who were going through incredibly tough and challenging times, and it was heartbreaking to see the long-term impact of negative family dynamics such as separation and family violence on children. This sparked a drive in me to advocate for children and youth, who often get caught up in family disputes to their detriment and whose voices and needs can often get lost. Working in family law enables me to protect the well-being and safety of children, as well as support families through high-conflict situations. Family law is also such a wide-ranging area that captures most people’s experiences and milestones, and specialising in this area means that I can advise and guide people throughout various stages of their lives. I have learned that that is why family law is often dubbed the “cradle to grave” specialisation!
Can you describe a typical day at your firm?
I am currently working as a law clerk in a Family Law and Relationship Property Team. In this role, I have been gaining experience in the areas of care of children, guardianship, family violence, relationship property, separation and dissolution, trusts, wills, estates, and medico-legal family law. My day-to-day tasks include drafting documents, communicating with clients, assisting in client meetings, discovery, legal research, Court preparation, overseeing affidavit signing, and file management. I also have the opportunity to shadow our senior lawyers and observe Court appearances.
What skills do you find most valuable in your current role?
In my role as a law clerk, I have found that it is so important to have an open mind, a can-do attitude, be willing to learn, and be receptive to feedback. These attributes have enabled me to embrace all opportunities that come my way, and the amount of work and effort I put in, I receive back tenfold in valuable experience. In terms of practical skills, I continue to use the same skills that I developed and honed during university, such as legal writing, research, analysis, critical thinking, creative thinking, problem solving, attention to detail, and the foundational knowledge of core topics that we learned in law school. Other key soft skills include having empathy and compassion for others, collaboration and teamwork, interpersonal communication skills, self-management, time management, taking initiative, diligence, and perseverance.
How does your firm support professional development and career growth?
As a junior, having opportunities for professional development and career growth is crucial. Our firm supports us to attend regular seminars, workshops, and conferences to further our legal education, as well as industry networking and social events to connect with other members of the profession. Every year, we hold an Early Careers Speaker Series for the law clerks and summer clerks, which are informal knowledge-sharing sessions hosted by partners and senior lawyers and designed to provide us with practical tips and advice as we embark on our legal careers. Topics range from personal career journeys, understanding Court conduct and etiquette, communicating effectively with clients, practice management, practical skills such as research and writing, representing clients effectively in mediation, ethics, and practice area-specific sessions such as Family Court procedure and assisting first home buyers. On an individual level, our seniors are excellent mentors and super generous with their time to show us the ropes and help us develop our skills. Everyone has strengths to bring to the table and share with others!
What advice would you give to someone considering a career at your firm?
Come as you are and be yourself! Be open to opportunities and ready to try new things. It is a safe place to learn and grow – all mistakes are learning opportunities, everyone makes them, and there are no silly questions. There is no expectation to know everything or remember everything from law school or have it all figured out. We are all constantly learning and developing and excited about becoming better at what we do. Everyone is approachable and friendly, colleagues in all areas and at all levels are respected and treated as equals, and we have an open door policy to facilitate collaboration. You will be supported at all stages and you are never alone – there will always be someone who has been in your shoes before and who is eager to help. Finally, nerdy debates about niche or topical legal issues are always welcomed!