Culture at Lane Neave NZ

The culture is great. While every company has an obvious hierarchy, the people at the top do not make you feel like you are inferior. Despite being at the bottom of the hierarchy, everyone I have engaged with has treated me with respect.

Culture is fantastic, there are lots of social events and activities to get amongst. The company is a decent size, so you get to interact with lots of different types of people. Whilst there is a clear hierarchy, this is not a bad thing - it just makes lines of communication and delegation of work clear. Most people are working together with several others on issues.

Its a very healthy and bubbly environment where in most areas working long hours is not encouraged.

I answer to everyone in the team but never feel like they are speaking down to me

I really like the Auckland office culture. Happily could approach and talk to almost everyone for work related or social communication. I can ask everyone on my team questions and also have banter with them.

Commenting purely on the Auckland office, it is a great size at about 40-50 people, as it is small enough that everyone knows everyone and feels comfortable approaching each other without hierarchy (the office is open plan), but still large enough that we have appropriate resources and people to deal with complex and interesting clients and work. The office does social events outside of the workplace from time to time.

The culture during the work day is that everyone is super busy and hard working which I admire. There will also often be periods of chat and jokes throughout the day which is nice. In terms of hierarchy I feel comfortable to go up to the other lawyers including the partners to ask questions. I have found the partners as very hands on and corporative with the younger lawyers. Breaks culture isn't amazing, barley anyone will take the full hour off and many each lunch at their desks without a break. However I do not believe there is any judgement if one does take the full hour away from the desk. In addition, only the partners stay past 5 o'clock on the regular, there is a strong culture of not needing afterhours work unless it is urgent. Therefore the breaks situation balances out.

What I enjoy most about Lane Neave is how friendly and interactive everyone is. I have been invited along to team events such as conferences, lunches and even a Christmas function for the team. I was able to take part in the Corporate Rowing Challenge which was loads of fun. I also enjoy how although there is a hierarchy of positions within the firm, everyone is so friendly and kind and approachable.

I have found the culture at Lane Neave to be fantastic. Within work hours, I am not expected to know more than I do. This is a weight lifted from my shoulders as a Summer Clerk, instead my colleagues help me to learn new things and answer my questions. The Partners sit in the open floor plan office with us and are often wandering around and asking us questions/for help with things. While staff really respect the Partners and Management, there doesn't feel like there is a strict hierarchy or fear. It is mutual respect from all levels and roles.

Everyone is really lovely. Work is definitely a priority but everyone is social and the social events such as Friday night drinks have enabled me to talk to almost everyone in the firm and catch up with them as to what they are up to in both their personal and work lives

The culture at Lane Neave sets it apart. Teams work together for the mutual good and there is no sense of competition - just collaboration. We have many social functions which help to build relationships across the firm.

Lots of social events, mentoring, upskilling, etc. Very collegial and encouraging demeanour by all.

The Wellington office is very friendly and chatty. I would not say it feels as hierarchical as the Christchurch office, but I think this is influenced both by how we all sit in such close proximity but also by how the partners work very directly with the solicitors, who are mostly juniors.

Overall the culture is great. Everyone is very friendly and sociable and there are no social hierarchies despite people's positions. While everyone is up for after hours socialising these activities are infrequent however.

We have a very good culture - the office is open planned so everyone is very approachable. There is a hierarchy but in a good way. We have a good young cohort which makes work life a lot more enjoyable. I socialise with people from the office outside of work time which I believe speaks volumes!

Room for improvement - have the occasional Friday after-work catch/ups but otherwise not a whole lot of socialising during or after hours.

Work life balance is pretty good not very often I am working late night. In office in Wellington very good culture, the cultural generally is very collegial little in the way of socialising with colleagues but I think that is to be somewhat expected given the size of the office - similar in Queenstown although there does tend to be more in the way of Friday drinks etc down there. Culture overall does seem to be a bit chch centric, social budgets for non chch offices are pretty small, a lot of events are offered really only to Chch employees

Our firm encourages healthy work hours i.e. 8:30 pm to 5 pm. Working too many extra hours is uncommon. We have a great structure - everyone is treated equally. The partners are very approachable. Everyone's opinion is valued. The teams are great and there is a good spread of ability. The firm pays for team bonding activities which take place out of work. The firm often pays for us to compete in corporate challenges and other industry social events.

Mostly a relaxed culture - but varies between teams. The Commercial Property team is very supportive and accommodating, but at the same time demands high standards.

Friendly, relaxed as far as top tier firms go, not overly hierarchical (or more than is to be expected with a necessary structure of hierarchy as in any law firm), supportive.