Alex Gallagher
Alex celebrated her 10 year anniversary at Hall & Wilcox in August 2021.
Alex joined our Employment & Workplace Relations team as a lawyer and was promoted to senior associate in 2013. Alex's experience spans across a broad range of litigious and non-litigious employment-related matters with clients from a diverse range of sectors and industries.
During her time at the firm, Alex has had three children, Louis, Sylvie and Lola, with her husband Blair. Alex relocated back to New Zealand in 2020 and, fortunately for us, she continues to work for the firm from the other side of the ditch.
We asked Alex a few questions to reflect on her 10 years at the firm.
It is difficult to pinpoint one standout memory from those early days. I remember when we were working on major projects and there would be late nights in the office at Bourke St, when several of us would be working long hours (which involved many dinner runs to Nandos or the 7/11!), and what stands out for me from this time is the wonderful camaraderie and support we shared – and the fun we had. Regardless of whether someone was busy with their own work, there was always time to workshop an issue or discuss a matter (or share a story and a laugh). It quickly became obvious that I had found myself working with a fantastic group of people who, aside from being really great lawyers, were also really great, authentic people who were (and continue to be) consistently generous with their time and knowledge.
Hall & Wilcox made working remotely from NZ happen! Going back a few years, I don’t think one could ever have contemplated this being a possibility. COVID-19 aside, Hall & Wilcox had already demonstrated an increasing commitment to the future of flexible working: in December 2019, we agreed to try remote working once I returned from parental leave. I have been thrilled to find that I can slot back into work life so seamlessly while living across the ditch.
That it is overwhelmingly the people that make this firm such a great place to work. Having taken an extended parental leave following our relocation back to NZ, it was such a pleasure to return and reconnect with the wonderful people I have worked alongside for so long – it was just like catching up with old friends. Every Hall & Wilcox person I interact with during my work day – be it my colleagues in the employment team, other practice areas, or our wonderful corporate services team – gives their time and assistance so graciously. I have also been impressed by the efforts made to maintain our great culture, despite the physical separation caused by COVID, and by the various ways in which the firm has demonstrated its appreciation of everyone’s ongoing efforts to contribute to the success of the firm in the midst of some very challenging circumstances. There really is something special about this firm and these people.
down at the beach with the kids, walking in the hills or pottering away in the garden. We like to enjoy the fabulous environment we live in and spend time exploring it whenever we can. We’ve also been very lucky to have had relatively few restrictions this past year and a half, so we’ve taken the opportunity to travel around our own backyard. We are currently on a southern sojourn, taking in the stunning scenery of central Otago (and enjoying a few pinots along the way).