Laying down the law in Whanganui

Whanganui lawyer and former WHS student Petra Allen (25) is out there doing it.
PHOTO: Bevan Conley.

Emma Russell continues her series charting the stories of former Whanganui students who have gone on to success in the big, wide world.

Small provincial towns over big city lights any day, says former Whanganui High School student Petra Allen.

In 2010, the 25-year-old left Whanganui to travel for a year, returning to New Zealand with "open eyes" and deciding she wanted to become a hot-shot lawyer.

Now five years later she is back in little old Whanganui with a law degree and a new job at law firm Treadwell Gordon.

One year into her graduate job, Miss Allen says choosing to work in a provincial town was the best decision she ever made.

"Working in the community I grew up in makes it easier to relate to people and issues I'm working with," she said.

"It helps find common ground and I think that's really essential to build trusting relationships."

Throughout secondary school, she kept her options open studying English, art history and all science subjects.

"Whanganui High School provided me with options and I was able to try a good range of subjects. I soon realised the sciences weren't for me.

"Truthfully I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I thought law gave me lots of options."

In New Zealand, a bachelor of law degree is a five-year study covering public law, commercial law, international law, common law and statute law.

In the first year students are required to take three law papers and five non-law papers. About 80 per cent of law students do a second, conjoint degree.

"Alongside my law degree I studied politics and international relations which gave me more flexibility to work out what I was really passionate about."

Miss Allen found her niche in general practice law.

"I enjoy being able to explain the law in a way clients can understand it ... often people get overwhelmed when it comes to things like buying a house and being able to make that process easier is hugely rewarding."

For students contemplating law, she recommends finding work experience as soon as possible.

"Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. I approached so many different law firms and law professionals ... you should do it even if it is just for some advice."

By Emma Russell
Wanganui Chronicle 24/2/17 


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