The Simpson Grierson senior associate was inspired by the "pragmatic" approach to law
The two words that characterised Toby Holborow's approach to selecting his university courses were "fun" and "sensible". Not wanting to limit his time in university to just three years, he decided halfway through his first year to study law - and when the TV show Suits hit the air in his third year, Holborow knew where he wanted to go with his legal career.
In the first part of this May interview, the Simpson Grierson senior associate, who currently practises with the firm's corporate team, talks about the "whirlwind" of the last 18 months and his feelings about exploring the world at 18.
What made you choose a career in law?
I started at Otago Uni thinking I would study marketing ("fun") and economics ("sensible"). Two realisations hit me fast: marketing wasn’t that glamourous, and Otago Uni was too fun to rush through in just three years! Midway through my first year, I added law and flipped my commerce degree to a double major in economics and finance – doubling down on the “sensible” and buying myself an extra two and a half years of university "fun."
My path to a career in law really crystallised in my third year, right around the time Suits hit mainstream television in NZ. Sure, it was Hollywood drama, but there was something about Harvey and Mike’s pragmatic approach to practicing law that struck a chord with me. If corporate law meant solving real world problems with a smart bunch of people rather than a solo academic exercises of trawling through legislation and case law, I was in.
What's your favourite part of the job?
It's got to be tackling complex problems alongside brilliant, like-minded people.
What in your opinion has been the most memorable event of your career?
Landing that first Summer Clerk position at Simpson Grierson. It opened doors that eventually led me to The a2 Milk Company in Sydney, and Freshfields in London.
What has been your proudest accomplishment in the last year or so?
The last 18 months have been a whirlwind! My wife Lizzie and I became parents to our son Ted, relocated from London to New Zealand, bought our first home, secured great new jobs, and got married. Looking back, I'm amazed at how much we packed into such a short time.
If you could relive one day in your life, which day would it be and why?
Besides the obvious (my wedding, and our son's birth), I’d relive Day One of my Contiki tour during my 2007 gap year. The incredible mix of nervous energy and wide-eyed excitement as I set off to explore the world at 18 – that feeling of total freedom, possibility, and the unknown ahead — it’s something I’d love to experience all over again.
