Firmwide culture especially within the juniors in the firm is generally positive - everyone is kind and get along. However, culture with seniors is very disjointed, I constantly feel out of the loop in my team - most of the time the conversations we have as a team are either about things/people I know nothing about or things that go over my head so I can rarely participate.
Graduate, Auckland
In the office there is a largely social atmosphere when you are walking around. The office is not open plan, but even then there is still a lot of socialising and collaboration occurring. Outside of the office this social element remains, despite COVID there have been opportunities to socialise outside of work with people you often don't get to meet on a day-to-day due to the size of the organisation. In terms of structure/hierarchy I am too junior to really speak on this - but there is the partnership model which flows down the different levels of seniority. As a whole co-operation/teamwork occurs daily on an inter-office level, and almost equally as often at an international level between all of the different offices/teams.
Graduate, Wellington
Good structure, clear hierarchy but also fluid, very cooperative work flows and several social events running through the year
Graduate, Christchurch
The firm has a great culture - kind and supportive people, support systems, a key focus on diversity (with a Diversity and Inclusion Committee which I am part of), and lots of social events.
Graduate, Auckland
Good support systems in place and everyone looks out for one another.
Graduate, Christchurch
Buddle Findlay is all about collaboration and that's not only within your own team, but expands to collaborating with other teams especially when dealing with complicated and multi-faceted transactions. Buddle Findlay also has several social events such as the annual ball, Friday drinks and several kareros over lunch. I also catch up with my fellow law clerks after work from time to time. In terms of structure and hierarchy you can start off as a summer clerk, come back after you graduate as a law clerk, become a solicitor once you are admitted, then senior solicitor then senior associate, special counsel and then there are partner and consultant levels. A senior associate or partner will often be your supervisor as a law clerk or solicitor but you will often get a lot of help and guidance from the junior lawyers as well!
Graduate, Auckland