Kris Morrison is Parry Field Lawyers’ newest partner and a leader in the firm’s commercial/business and immigration teams. Today, the devoutly Christian lawyer talks to us about his faith, his unusual path into law...and a case involving dodgy carrots
Kris Morrison is Parry Field Lawyers’ newest partner and a leader in the firm’s commercial/business and immigration teams. Below, he tells NZ Lawyer about his unusual path into law and a case involving dodgy carrots…
NZ Lawyer: What made you decide to become a lawyer?
Kris Morrison: I wanted to do a BA in Ancient History and Philosophy, but thought I needed something more practical as well that might actually to lead to a job. Certain friends intended to study law, so I followed them. I never really planned to practice law, but when I graduated I needed a job. Many friends who wanted to practice aren’t lawyers now. I wasn’t so keen at first, but here I am 13 years later, still practising!
What’s the strangest case you’ve ever worked on/been involved with?
I was involved in a series of matters involving large quantities of rotten export carrots. I learned more about fungal and bacterial infections in carrots than I would ever have imagined. The key dispute was who caused the carrots to rot.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Tom Wright, Martin Luther and the Apostle Paul. Why? There would be no shortage of intense and interesting conversation on some questions that I consider pretty important.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given (work or personal)?
In the work context: the truth shall set you free. It is always better to be truthful and face up to the consequences of your actions.
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work, besides spending time with friends and family?
I play guitar at my church most weeks and help coach my son’s soccer team.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
A preacher
You’re based in Christchurch – where’s your favourite place to go for dinner, and what do you usually order?
A nice Thai restaurant. Maybe Abalone Thai. I usually order Green Curry (hot).
What do you think will be single biggest issue facing the immigration legal space in New Zealand in 2014?
The sheer volume of people wanting to immigrate to New Zealand and targeting the same kinds of jobs to get here.
What do you love about your job?
The variety of different tasks and issues I get to deal with and the people I work with day to day.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
I’m looking forward to when our new premises open for business later this year.
NZ Lawyer: What made you decide to become a lawyer?
Kris Morrison: I wanted to do a BA in Ancient History and Philosophy, but thought I needed something more practical as well that might actually to lead to a job. Certain friends intended to study law, so I followed them. I never really planned to practice law, but when I graduated I needed a job. Many friends who wanted to practice aren’t lawyers now. I wasn’t so keen at first, but here I am 13 years later, still practising!
What’s the strangest case you’ve ever worked on/been involved with?
I was involved in a series of matters involving large quantities of rotten export carrots. I learned more about fungal and bacterial infections in carrots than I would ever have imagined. The key dispute was who caused the carrots to rot.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Tom Wright, Martin Luther and the Apostle Paul. Why? There would be no shortage of intense and interesting conversation on some questions that I consider pretty important.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given (work or personal)?
In the work context: the truth shall set you free. It is always better to be truthful and face up to the consequences of your actions.
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work, besides spending time with friends and family?
I play guitar at my church most weeks and help coach my son’s soccer team.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
A preacher
You’re based in Christchurch – where’s your favourite place to go for dinner, and what do you usually order?
A nice Thai restaurant. Maybe Abalone Thai. I usually order Green Curry (hot).
What do you think will be single biggest issue facing the immigration legal space in New Zealand in 2014?
The sheer volume of people wanting to immigrate to New Zealand and targeting the same kinds of jobs to get here.
What do you love about your job?
The variety of different tasks and issues I get to deal with and the people I work with day to day.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
I’m looking forward to when our new premises open for business later this year.
