Christine Meechan KC, one of New Zealand’s leading commercial and civil litigators, answers our five quick-fire questions about her impressive 35+ year career in law.

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Why did you choose a career in law?

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The subjects I was best at school and university were English and languages, so law seemed an opportunity to play to those strengths – plus I do enjoy a good argument!

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What has been the most challenging aspect to pursuing a legal career? 

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I don’t think it is possible to single out just one. Litigation is an inherently stressful process for everyone involved and it can be hard to detach from a case when you invest so much time and effort in achieving an outcome. I think the losses are felt more profoundly than the victories.

There is also the constant challenge of remaining ‘current’ – keeping on top of developments in the law, changes in technology and the changing expectations of clients.

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Why did you move to the independent bar, and what made you choose Bankside?

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I moved to the independent bar because of the opportunities for self-determination – to do the kind of work I was best at – and the degree of flexibility it provided. I perhaps underestimated how intense the demands were when you don’t have the scaffolding of a large firm to support you, but for me it was absolutely the right move at the right time in my career.

I joined Bankside Chambers in 2008 – it had an outstanding reputation with a really high calibre of members, many of whom were friends and colleagues, and importantly, it was a progressive chambers. It was then and continues to be a really supportive, collegial working environment. 

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What have been your career highlights to date?

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There are three moments in my career I remember the most vividly. The first one is getting my first job. I was so excited, and relieved, to get my first job in February 1985. I owe that start to the Hon. Sir David Baragwanath KC and Denese Bates KC who were in their offices at Southern Cross Chambers one Friday afternoon when I walked in armed with my CV (which ran to a page and a half) and asked for a job. They kindly told me I should start my career with a firm of solicitors and sent me to Heaney Jones & Mason for an interview. I started the next Monday.

The second moment was getting the call to tell me that I had been made a partner at Bell Gully in 1994. That year Bell Gully made only four partners, and they were all women. That brought the total number of women partners in the firm to seven.

Being appointed a QC in 2013 is the third moment. The fact that there were 26 silks announced that year did not take away the sense of achievement.

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And finally, what would you have done if you had to choose another career?

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When I was at university I had a holiday job at Coopers Creek Winery in Huapai and I thought I might like to be a winemaker if law did not work out. But I was very average (read “hopeless”) at chemistry which would have presented more than a few challenges.

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I am so glad I chose law. I can’t think of many other careers that provide such a rich variety of stimulating work, that allow you to work with smart, dedicated people and involve, hopefully, helping to achieve outcomes that make a difference. On some days, however, a vineyard does seem like an attractive alternative!