Team: Property
Role: Solicitor
Joined Sharp Tudhope: 2023
Abbie Chaytor
What first interested you in studying Law?
I decided I didn’t want to do engineering at university after not enjoying chemistry in year 13 so decided to take a shot and give law a go and really enjoyed it.
How would you describe the transition from university to working at Sharp Tudhope Lawyers?
Working in the legal field is very different from university, there is a lot to learn but as long as you are willing to give it a go and are a keen learner you will thrive.
What do you enjoy most about working at Sharp Tudhope Lawyers?
I enjoy that there is such variety in the job, you never get two clients wanting the same thing, meaning there is always more challenges to solve and learning to do.
What are some of the essential skills a graduate should have?
You get to jump straight into client work, so you have to be willing to get straight into it and learn a lot if you don’t have any prior experience in the legal field.
Being organised is key as you can end up dealing with a lot of information.
What do you enjoy most about living in Tauranga?
My move back to Tauranga was all about the lifestyle – I love being by the beach, walking up the mount and being near my family.
Describe a typical day as a graduate:
I grab a coffee on the way to my desk in the morning, I check my emails and get into working. My work varies day to day but generally involves a lot of correspondence with clients, drafting documents, researching, and meeting with clients. The staff room often has good banter at lunch time and there are frequent social events (usually involving food/drinks).
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in joining Sharp Tudhope as a grad?
Give it a go – When I was looking for graduate jobs I was somewhat uncertain as to whether I wanted to be a lawyer once I finished university but I’m glad I gave it a go and have learnt so much in the time I have been here so far!