He tells us why his career’s most memorable moments involve pro bono work
Edward Eisdell-Moore didn’t have plans to go into law until an opportunity at a scholarship financed by a major national firm came up. A summer clerkship later, he was on the path to a legal career, and it is a career he says he has never enjoyed as much as he does now.
In the first part of this interview, Eisdell-Moore, who was recently promoted to partner at DLA Piper, tells NZ Lawyer why he loves pro bono work and discusses what has been a key part of his technology and data work in the past year.
What made you choose a career in law, and what's your favourite part of the job?
I didn't have any particular aspirations to be a lawyer, despite my father being a lawyer at the time and having a brother at law school in Otago. When I was encouraged by my school in my final year to apply for a scholarship funded by a large national firm, I put my name in the hat and was fortunate enough to be selected. After really enjoying a summer clerkship, the decision was easy, and I have never enjoyed my time as a lawyer as much as I do now.
My favourite part is the people side of it – working closely with clients and colleagues, learning from others, and solving challenging or unfamiliar problems together.
What in your opinion has been the most memorable event of your career to date?
Some of the most memorable moments in my career have come from pro bono work, particularly supporting refugee families through long and often difficult reunification processes. Being involved in matters that can take years to resolve, and then seeing families finally able to start a new chapter together, is incredibly humbling.
In September last year, I was able to join one of our solicitors in welcoming a family of 13 from Somalia at Auckland Airport after more than 300 hours of pro bono work over four years. Being there as they were reunited (and helping them sort out baggage logistics for the connecting flight that they missed!) was a powerful reminder that legal work can have a very real human impact.
What in your opinion was the most important thing you got involved in over the past year?
Helping New Zealand organisations respond to the rapid shift brought about by emerging technologies, particularly AI and data driven transformation. The pace of change has forced many clients to make high consequence decisions quickly, often in areas where market practice and regulatory frameworks are still evolving.
Over the past year, a key part of my work has been helping clients think through not just what is technically possible, but what is responsible, sustainable and commercially sound for their business in the long term. Being able to guide them through that uncertainty and help them position themselves confidently for what’s coming next has been genuinely meaningful.
If you could relive one day in your life, which day would it be and why?
One day in the late 1990s when I was with all my grandparents. It's not a particular date or a dramatic moment, but life felt fuller with them around. It reminds me how important those relationships are, especially as life becomes busier over time.
