Case Studies

PROFILE OF AN OVERSEAS JOINER - Chris Bargery, Partner, Corporate Advisory, Auckland

Background
I am originally from the Isle of Man. On completion of my degree, I started work at Clifford Chance in London in 1997. I qualified as a solicitor of England and Wales in 1999 and in 2000 was seconded to Clifford Chance's offices in Bangkok. After three years in Bangkok, I moved to New Zealand with my wife to join Russell McVeagh's Auckland office in the Corporate Advisory team. I have recently been made a Partner of the firm.

Immigration Issues
My wife and I came to New Zealand on work visas sponsored and arranged by Russell McVeagh. We were granted residency about a year after our arrival (I was granted residency as a "Skilled Migrant" which made the time period shorter). I intend to apply for citizenship as I have satisfied the three year residency requirement (the rules have changed recently to extend the requirement to five years residence before applying for citizenship). My son, who was born here last year, is a New Zealand citizen.

New Zealand Qualifications
Since I was planning to stay in New Zealand for some time, I requalified as a New Zealand barrister and solicitor. Firstly I had my UK qualifications assessed by the New Zealand Law Society and was then required to sit a number of general New Zealand law requalification papers. I am pleased to say I passed those papers and have been admitted to the New Zealand Bar.

This process will not be the same for all overseas joiners as it will depend on your qualification. The New Zealand Law Society website (www.nz-lawsoc.org.nz) contains useful information about the requalification process.

Practising in New Zealand
You get first rate experience at Russell McVeagh - there certainly hasn't been any difference in the quality of work I have been doing. The biggest difference for me in working at Russell McVeagh has been the breadth of the work I have been involved in - this has ranged from corporate acquisitions to commercial matters and major infrastructure projects. I have learned a lot since I joined - although there is always plenty of support if required - and I have really enjoyed the wide variety of work. And, of course, my wife and I have loved living in New Zealand generally - it’s a great environment. Like all good Kiwis, we have fast developed a fascination with property and we are enjoying renovating our home which we share with our young son.