Articles
Success Story

New Zealand Corporate Associate Moves to London

Rebecca Adlington
July 17, 2023

Overview


Level: Senior Associate
Move: New Zealand Private Practice → Boutique Firm in Sydney
Practice Area: Corporate
Location: London
Sign-on Bonus: Provided

The Candidate’s Journey

A talented New Zealand-qualified lawyer reached out to our team in Sydney, eyeing a move. This lawyer was seeking a new role that aligned with their career goals, focusing on two potential paths:

  • A move to a private practice firm in London
  • An in-house role in Sydney
  • A firm with a great culture that aligned with their values

The Process


Having worked with this lawyer before, Matthew and the Sydney team had a deep understanding of their skill set, ambitions, and aspirations. However, early on, it became clear that their experience didn’t align with the specific demands of London-based firms. Moreover, in-house roles in Sydney that matched the lawyer's unique skill set were scarce.

Despite the challenges, Matthew remained transparent and communicated openly with the lawyer. He approached the situation with honesty, explaining that while the London move wasn’t possible, it sparked a renewed focus on finding the right opportunity in Sydney.

Leveraging his extensive network, Matthew uncovered an opportunity at a boutique firm that had a reputation for innovation, corporate work, and a nurturing culture—exactly what the lawyer was seeking.

After a successful interview process, the lawyer received an offer from the boutique firm, including a sign-on bonus. This placement demonstrated how Matthew’s relationships and interview prep played a pivotal role in finding the perfect cultural fit for the candidate.

Recruiter Insight

"Helping this lawyer find a role that matched their skills and values was a rewarding process. The strong relationships we build with clients and candidates alike are key to our success."
— Matthew, Senior Consultant


If you're considering a career move, contact us at info@sonderconsultants.com for a confidential discussion. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates, tips, and advice to get ahead in your legal career.

Note: As part of our candidate-consultant confidentiality, we have kept this candidate’s information private.

Rebecca Adlington
Global Marketing Manager
Matthew Mayes
Principal Consultant
INSIGHTS

Stay ahead of the legal market

Sign up to our newsletter for tailored intel and resources.

Subscribe
By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Register
Just Briefly Podcast

A conversation with Lizzie Lu, Baker McKenzie

Rebecca Adlington
May 5, 2026
Career Advice

Are Your Hours Paying Off?

Rebecca Adlington
April 28, 2026
Career Advice

Am I Too Junior to Lateral?

Carla Luna
April 27, 2026