The Wotton Kearney associate also talks navigating a new start in the midst of lockdown
For Ramses Hunt, two things drive home the importance of proper insurance coverage for him: his work as an associate with Wotton Kearney, and the memory of the day he rolled his car.
The employment law specialist got into law when he found fulfilment in engaging with others while volunteering with the Community Law Centre. In this December interview, Hunt talks about finding different opportunities to serve the community and meeting new colleagues for the first time through Zoom during lockdown.
My interest in legal practice took shape during my second year of university, starting with volunteer work at the Community Law Centre. From those early evening sessions and Saturday morning consultations, I quickly realised that engaging with people was where I found the most meaning. This led me to seek out additional opportunities to serve the community, including volunteering at the Family Law Advice Clinic and joining the executive committee at Law for Change.
Working directly with vulnerable people facing a range of legal challenges proved to be particularly rewarding. There is something fulfilling about helping people navigate difficult situations and achieve practical solutions. This early commitment to community service has remained constant throughout my career, and I maintain active involvement with both the Citizens Advice Bureau and Community Law Centre.
These formative experiences shaped my career direction, confirming that direct client work and problem-solving would be central to my practice. Today, this remains the most satisfying aspect of my role – getting to the heart of complex issues and helping clients move forward from challenging situations with clarity and a strategy in place.
The Covid-19 lockdowns, particularly the first one, stand out as the most memorable period of my career. As an employment lawyer, we were thrust into unprecedented territory – a flood of novel workplace issues that had no clear precedent.
The timing was particularly unique as I was starting at a new firm – meeting colleagues exclusively through Zoom and grappling with the somewhat absurd question of whether to wear a suit for my first day while sitting in the lounge. While it seems quaint looking back, those intense months of helping clients navigate completely uncharted waters were exciting. It was this period that ultimately cemented my path towards specialising in employment law, as the experience highlighted just how dynamic and impactful this area of practice can be.
The most significant lesson from my career has been that technical legal expertise, while essential, is only part of what makes an effective lawyer. People skills can be just as important. The ability to connect with clients, colleagues and other practitioners is equally crucial. Our profession is fundamentally relationship-based.
I've found that understanding how to read a room, use humour (when appropriate), and how to communicate complex legal concepts in accessible terms are invaluable skills. These abilities often make the difference between being a good lawyer and a trusted lawyer.
The day before I rolled my car - I would upgrade from fire, theft and third-party insurance to a more comprehensive policy. Nothing quite drives home the importance of proper insurance coverage like working at Wotton Kearney. However, seeing your car upside down in a ditch outside Waimate also does the trick.
