The Lawyers 2025: sizing up New Zealand’s legal industry
ANALYSIS: NBR surveyed and spoke to dozens of law firms and in-house legal teams to take a snapshot of the country's legal sector, likely worth hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
Main takeaway: New Zealand's largest law firms have been busier than anticipated over the last 12 months although headcounts have remained largely static since 2023.
Background: We surveyed and spoke to dozens of law firms and in-house legal teams to assess the size and the shape of the country's legal sector, likely worth hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
Key players: Anderson Lloyd, Anthony Harper, Bell Gully, Buddle Findlay, Dentons, DLA Piper, Duncan Cotterill, Kennedys, Lane Neave, Meredith Connell, MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Russell McVeagh, Simpson Grierson, Wynn Williams, Fonterra, Air New Zealand, Kāinga Ora, IRD, Ministry of Justice, Crown Law, MBIE, Auckland Council, Commerce Commission, ILANZ, Juno.
It’s estimated there is one lawyer for every 300 people in New Zealand. A century ago, it was closer to one lawyer for every 1000 people.
Overall, the New Zealand Law Society says there are now more than 15,500 lawyers who hold a practising certificate. The business of law is clearly booming.
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Key points
Main takeaway: New Zealand's largest law firms have been busier than anticipated over the last 12 months although headcounts have remained largely static since 2023.
Background: We surveyed and spoke to dozens of law firms and in-house legal teams to assess the size and the shape of the country's legal sector, likely worth hundreds of millions of dollars each year.
Key players: Anderson Lloyd, Anthony Harper, Bell Gully, Buddle Findlay, Dentons, DLA Piper, Duncan Cotterill, Kennedys, Lane Neave, Meredith Connell, MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Russell McVeagh, Simpson Grierson, Wynn Williams, Fonterra, Air New Zealand, Kāinga Ora, IRD, Ministry of Justice, Crown Law, MBIE, Auckland Council, Commerce Commission, ILANZ, Juno.
