The associate debunks a common lawyer misconception
Since returning to New Zealand from a stint in the UK, Hannah Checkley has been eager to dive back into life in Wellington. The associate brought her experience in commercial contracting, data protection and privacy, financial services regulation, M&A and corporate structuring to Duncan Cotterill, along with her skill in drafting and negotiating technology agreements such as for on-premises and cloud products, software licensing, and support and maintenance.
The associate describes the local legal sector as having “a strong sense of collegiality”, and she is eager to apply her global experience to her work with New Zealand businesses. Last week, Checkley shared to NZ Lawyer how working in-house shaped her as a lawyer – in the second half of this interview, she shoots down a common lawyer misconception and discusses navigating the implications of AI tools.
What’s one misconception you think people have about lawyers, and how would you correct that misconception?
A common misconception is that lawyers are primarily focused on identifying risks and creating roadblocks. In my experience, effective lawyers do the opposite—we work closely with clients to understand their objectives and then help to chart a legally compliant, practical path forward that addresses risks and meets their objectives.
What challenges are particularly pressing in the country’s legal industry?
The integration of emerging technologies like AI brings both opportunities and uncertainty. Lawyers need to navigate the ethical, legal, and operational implications of these tools—ensuring that efficiency doesn’t come at the expense of confidentiality, judgement, or public trust.
What are you looking forward to the most in the coming year?
I am looking forward to continuing to build my New Zealand corporate and commercial legal practice, with a focus on corporate transactional work, commercial contracting and financial services. Having spent the last couple of years working overseas, I’m excited to bring that international experience back into the local market and apply it to the legal challenges facing New Zealand businesses.
I am also excited to reconnect with the legal community here in Wellington after being overseas for 2.5 years. The Wellington legal sector has a strong sense of collegiality, and I’m keen to re‑establish those relationships, contribute to the profession, and learn from others.
