The Parry Field partner urges the profession to rework the definition of success
For Steven Moe, a career in the law is a chance to serve others. He believes being a lawyer is a call to action - thus, it's not about seeking work/life balance, it's about integrating work into one's life.
In the second half of this interview, the Parry Field partner discusses the negative impact of billable units and using new tech to boost the promotion of his podcast.
How would you describe the core of law to the next generation of lawyers?
I’ve enjoyed a new phase of speaking at events where I am meeting lawyers and encouraging them to think of their careers as opportunities to serve. That can be done without abandoning creativity, their individuality or their spirituality. Being a lawyer can be a vocation, not just a job - that means it’s also a call to action! Don’t fall for a lie of work/life balance - how shallow a conception. Instead embrace work/life integration.
I’m about to release a book called The Circle all about this and my reflections on work. Sometimes I hire the grads and other lawyers I challenge on this to join our growing impact team as well as we are in a major growth phase!
What should the profession focus more on?
Collaboration - let’s get out of a competition mindset and work together across firms more.
What challenges are particularly pressing in the country’s legal industry?
If how we measure success is tied to billable units we set our junior lawyers up for stress filled days and mental health issues. We need to alter the definitions and reframe how and what we measure and define as success. This is not easy and I’m still working out what the alternative looks like, but I’m confident it exists.
What are your thoughts on new technology and its impact on the legal profession?
These are just new types of tools like we have had in the past. No point in fearing them, learn how to use them. I’m now instantly transcribing all my podcasts and generating summaries in seconds to create social media posts and articles - it’s amazing.
What are you looking forward to the most in the coming year?
Meeting the purpose-driven clients I haven’t had the chance to support yet. I’m based from Christchurch but most of my clients are nationwide across the whole country.
