Wotton Kearney has once again been named a 5-Star Employer of Choice 2026 by Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer, recognising law firms that are leading the way in creating positive, people-focused workplaces.

The recognition reflects our commitment to building a workplace where high performance and a people-first culture go hand in hand. Over the past 12 months, we’ve continued to invest in developing our people, creating room for career stretch and progression, supporting wellbeing and flexibility, and building the systems that help our people keep moving forward.

At WK, culture is everything. It shows up in how we work together, support each other, and create space for people to build rewarding careers – and that’s what makes this award especially meaningful.

Reflecting on this, Odile Shepherd, Chief People Officer shared:

“It’s always rewarding to be recognised for the significant effort invested across the WK business to build a great place to work. We’re proud of what our partners, leaders and teams do every day to make WK the firm it is, and of the opportunities this creates for our people to build fulfilling careers.”

Katie Shanks, Partner in our Auckland office, added:

“Having joined WK almost 15 years ago in our Sydney office, and now being a Partner in Auckland, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the firm’s growth from different perspectives. Throughout that journey, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to creating a workplace where people feel supported and can reach their potential. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together and of the people across New Zealand and Australia who continue to make WK such a special place to work.”

The 5-Star Employers of Choice list is determined through a rigorous assessment across key areas including remuneration, training and professional development, career progression, diversity and inclusion, access to technology and resources, communication, leadership, work-life balance, health and wellbeing, reward and recognition, and recruitment.

A big thank you to everyone across WK. Your contributions and commitment continue to make our firm a great place to work.