The leading employers in NZ’s legal profession for 2023

20 organisations received the highest props from the profession for their staff-centric initiatives

The leading employers in NZ’s legal profession for 2023

From sending cake for a job well done to whānau-first approaches, the organisations included in this year’s batch of 5-Star Employers of Choice have made staff wellbeing their top priority.

SHIFT Advisory is a fine example of the calibre of legal organisations that have made NZ Lawyer’s prestigious list. In addition to sending its lawyers cake to celebrate the successful end of a contract, the firm ensures that it is on the pulse of ever-evolving flexible work arrangements.

“What we can deliver for our lawyers is autonomy, giving them the ability to work in a way which fits with their families, interests, and the rest of their lives”, COO Tamsin Ledger said.

For 5-Star Employer of Choice Norris Ward McKinnon, it’s all about trust and “feeding others first”.

“Responsibilities are pushed down from the top with a relationship-building mindset; the people around you become more competent, learn more and develop, and that makes everyone better”, general manager Carmen Simmonds said.

McCaw Lewis, which makes the winners’ circle for a second time, holds on to a whānau-first approach, and makes a point of hiring in line with its values.

“We can make someone a great lawyer, but we can’t make somebody a good person; that’s why we delve into who they are and their beliefs and values because we want to protect that culture”, chief executive Glenn Forster said.

The 2023 5-Star Employers of Choice highlight the wonderful things a focus on staff wellbeing can do for a legal organisation. To see the complete list of winners for the Best Law Firms to Work for in New Zealand, the full report can be found here.