Looking back at the Class of 1994
The year is 1994. The Faculty of Law is located in Kelburn, and its Dean is Professor Tony Angelo, a giant in comparative law. Wellington’s student scene consists of coffee in Styrofoam cups and $2 jugs, the Exponents and Ace of Base are ruling the airwaves, and everyone is talking about what happened on The X-Files and Friends. Much is happening in the world, and the Class of ’94 is getting ready to make its mark.
Tell us a bit about yourselves. Where are you from and why did you choose to study at Vic?
Matthew: I’m a Wellingtonian born and bred. My grandfather was a lawyer, and I’m told that from an early age that is what I would tell people I was going to be. I chose VUW because it was close to home. I don’t recall too many people going away to study in my day unless it was to study something that VUW didn’t offer.
James: Pretty much the same as Matt, although my grandfather was not a lawyer. Wellington was a great place to study in the ’90s. It doesn’t feel like 30 years ago.
What was it like being a law student in 1994?
Matthew: 1994 was a great year. Most of us were in our final year and were conscious of making the most of our time before venturing into the real world. Brown Dr Marten boots and jean jackets were in vogue, and we spent many hours solving the world’s problems while sitting on the steps in the Quad. The law school was still on the Kelburn campus and there was no roof over the Quad, so we just had the pigeons and quality banter to keep us warm.
James: We had no social media. It was just before people had mobile phones, other than the odd yuppie with a brick. We relied on fixed lines and faxes, and I can’t remember how we organised ourselves. You just had to be where you said you’d be, usually the Southern Cross [aka Zebos]. Study notes and exams were paper based. Apart from that, pretty similar to current students!
It was 30 years ago that you were President and Treasurer, respectively, of VUWLSS. What are some key memories from that time that have stayed with you?
Matthew: It was great fun heading up VUWLSS. I remember we made a concerted effort to raise its profile and encourage law students to get more involved. James and I were flatting together at the time, so we were able to plan events over a spag bol and Steinlager. Highlights for me included the law ball and toga evening (which were both outstanding successes), the law competitions, and the Australasian Law Students’ conference that was held in Hobart. VUW competed very well that year, winning several of the national competitions.
James: I remember organising this photo on the Hunter Building steps and thinking we’d look back on it in 30 years’ time—well, here we go. We had a great year group and a lot of fun. I have many lifelong friends in this photo. We had some real stars in our group who have gone on to great things in and outside of law. Matt and I proudly managed to leave the VUWLSS balance sheet in a better state than we inherited it!
How did studying Law at Victoria prepare you for your career?
Matthew: My degree provided me with a fantastic platform to pursue a career in law. I think the toolkit that VUW set me up with was invaluable in this regard. I always tell students that practising law is not like studying law. If you think that some of your exam questions are often whacky and left field, wait until you see the fact scenarios that can occur in the real world.
James: Studying law provided an excellent platform with valuable and transferable skills in critical thinking, problem solving, and attention to detail. I practised law for a few years in NZ and the UK before heading back to do an MBA and pursuing a career in investment banking. I often draw on the skills and experiences I gained through my time in law.
Reflecting on the last 30 years, what advice would you give to your younger selves as they embarked on their legal careers?
Back yourself and enjoy the ride. It goes far too quickly! Align yourself with good mentors and learn as much as you can from them.
Keep an open mind and stay curious. Life will take you in many different directions. Think about the adventures ahead and the stories you’d like to tell your grandchildren when you are 70.
What have been the proudest moments of your career since leaving university?
Matthew: I have been very fortunate to work with some amazing clients over my career, both in NZ and overseas. Working in corporate/mergers and acquisitions has been incredibly rewarding given some of the amazing businesses and individuals that I’ve been involved with. Career highlights have included becoming a partner at Russell McVeagh and, more recently, establishing Mallett Partners with a fantastic group of colleagues.
James: I have been fortunate to work with an amazing range of people and businesses in many different countries throughout my career, from startups through to large companies. My proudest moment has been drawing on all these years of experience and setting up my own business advising companies on strategic transactions—including helping build and (literally) launch a satellite company from scratch.
What other passions or interests do you have outside of the law?
Matthew: I have three fabulous sons who have been very active on the sporting front, so, until recently, a lot of my spare time has been spent on the side of sports fields and rowing courses. Now that they’re older, I’m getting a bit more time to myself. I love going to the gym, fishing, travelling, playing the occasional round of golf, cooking, and reading—though just writing those things down makes me feel old.
James: I married a beautiful French woman I met on the Kelburn Parade overbridge (coincidentally, while recruiting for VUWLSS) and we have raised a wonderful family. Our children are all out of school now, which leaves me more time to pursue interests in music, cycling, travel, and French.
What do you think is the biggest opportunity or challenge facing current law students as they enter the profession?
Matthew: It has been a tough market for students recently, with fewer graduate roles available than in previous years. I always tell students to remain positive though. There are opportunities out there; sometimes you just have to look a little harder and accept that there might be a few rejections along the way. And there is plenty of scope for good lawyers to change roles over time, so don’t be concerned that your first job is necessarily your forever job.
Do you see yourself getting involved with Victoria University again, perhaps mentoring or speaking to current students?
Matthew: I have fond memories of my time at VUW, the fantastic friends we made, and the great lecturers that we were fortunate enough to have. I can certainly see a world in which I get involved with the Law School and students again over time.
James: I’d love to.
If you wish to share your experiences and are interested in becoming a student mentor, do not hesitate to connect with us at alumni@vuw.ac.nz
Te Kauhanganui Tātai Ture: Finding purpose through a shared community
This year, as always, my brilliant colleagues have produced world-leading research, taught over 2000 extraordinary students, and engaged widely to make Aotearoa and the world a better place. I know of no law school with fewer than 30 academic staff and as many students that manages such excellent teaching and research. Our equally amazing professional staff have done an extraordinary job in not just keeping things working but also making students’ lives just a little easier.
Our students are our future, and I tell them they are better versions of us—in some of the tough times this year, it is they who have helped us get through. I am constantly amazed at what our students get up to after they leave here, and just sometimes I like to claim a little bit of the credit that properly belongs to you!
But Tātai Ture is not just made up of those lucky enough to work or study here in the Old Government Buildings (OGB)—it is made up of all of you, wherever and whenever you get to read this.
We have decided to do V.Alum a bit differently so we can tell stories from within and from outside OGB. Please take a few minutes to read about our wonderful research, student leaders, and the achievements of some of our alumni.
The last couple of years have been unsettled for Te Herenga Waka, and I suspect that the next couple will be challenging for all our universities. The Law Faculty, however, has continued to be a thriving part of a university that is beginning to flourish again. We have five new academic staff who either have just started with us or will soon be here for us to nurture—emerging scholars in international trade, intellectual property, and comparative constitutional law; a leading mergers and acquisitions scholar from the US; and a new Professor of Public Health.
I am still getting used to working in the Dean’s office. Being Dean of the faculty that I have worked in for 30 years is a privilege and an honour but also, to be honest, a bit daunting. I have been amazed by all the goodwill and offers of help that I have received. I genuinely believe that despite the challenges 2025 will bring, we really can build an even better law school for our community. Priorities for next year include emphasising our links with the main University, joining with our friends across Bunny Street in Wellington School of Business and Government to create a unique Pipitea experience at the heart of our capital, emphasising the ‘place-based’ experience of learning law at VUW, and working to raise Pasifika achievement. Next year also is the first year of the new integrated tikanga curriculum that all students will study—we can’t wait to get started.
If we can do all this, it will be in no small part due to the tireless work of my predecessor, Lee Godden, who worked harder than any person I have ever known at the Law School. Lee had to return to Australia in August to care for whānau, but not before she had secured the funding for our new appointments.
It is summer, at least for those in Aotearoa. Just before Christmas, I will be in one of my happy places, Fiordland, walking the Kepler Track with my best man (whom I met in second-year law) and his family. On my to-do list are reading all the books that I missed out on during the year, fighting the ivy in our garden, and mostly just sitting in the sun—which is guaranteed this Wellington summer. I hope to finally make it in February to the top of Angelus Peak in Nelson Lakes. I also plan to catch up on some of my colleagues’ excellent research (really truly!)—you should too! Pick something from the list—it is all great.
One book I’m currently learning a lot from is Zest, written by my old torts student Daniel Kalderimis KC, who courageously writes about his recovery from depression, with the help of not only psychology but also philosophy. Daniel’s book is not so much about how to do law but is a lot about how we should choose to be more purposeful in those things that give us meaning. Daniel reminds me, though, that law is all about the narratives that connect people. Outside my family and friends, it has also been this university and our shared law community that have given me a sense of purpose and meaning. So I can’t wait for 2025.
Whiti te rā
Geoff