Kiwi lawyer Fiona McMillan didn’t always think she would have a legal career.
But after completing her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts at the University of Canterbury, she took a job as a solicitor for Christchurch firm Lane Neave – and the rest was history. Today, Fiona is a partner and employment lawyer at the firm’s Auckland office, with a healthy repertoire of accomplishments under her belt. These include a nomination for Young Lawyer of the Year at the 2016 Law Awards and being recognised as an Elite Woman in NZ Lawyer’s annual rankings – twice. In leading by example and through her work championing equal representation at Lane Neave, Fiona is blazing a trail for those following in her footsteps. Verve sat down to talk law, life and leadership.
What inspired you to specialise in employment law?
It was a happy accident. I planned to be a high school English teacher, but I was persuaded to do first year law as a part of my BA. In short, I hated English at university but loved law. After being placed at Lane Neave through an internship paper at university, I quickly realised private practice, employment law and Lane Neave were the place for me.
Can you detail some of your pro bono work and why it’s important to you?
This career has given me a lot, so it seems right that I do something for the community – and Lane Neave is very supportive of this. We don’t have a set pro bono programme, however if we want to support a particular charity, we’re given the time and space to do so. Working for the Stroke Foundation on a pro bono basis was another happy accident in my life. When I was with Lane Neave Christchurch, we were instructed by the then Canterbury branch of the Stroke Foundation. My boss at the time, and our now managing partner, Andrew Shaw, agreed we should do the work for free, and the relationship continues 16 years later.
What are the challenges and opportunities for New Zealand women considering law as a profession?
Working in a private practice law firm is only one of the many options available. My friends have become barristers, gone in-house, obtained roles in government departments, and have worked their way up as senior managers in some pretty impressive organisations. As for women in private practice, partnership is there if you’re in a position to look after a body of work within the firm or prepared to spend your time building your own networks. But, partnership is not the be-all and end-all!
For people with families, having a full-on job is a big ask. Firms have come a long way to make law more family friendly, however we ultimately meet the demands of clients, not firms. My view is that it’s up to individuals to make decisions about their career and what works best for their family.
What advice would you give them?
I’m involved in the Auckland University mentorship programme that pairs senior female law students with females in the profession. Every year I tell my mentee to never say no to anything. Attending a function, doing a piece of work, being introduced to someone. You just never know where it will lead!
Can you tell us about a memorable or rewarding case that stands out?
A few years ago, I was pulled in to do a day of legal submissions before a full bench of the Employment Court. A colleague became unwell at the last minute, and I was it. It was a good reminder of my favourite aspects of the law – thinking on my feet and talking.
To learn more about Fiona’s important work, visit laneneave.co.nz relationship continues 16 years later.
