Carter only joined the firm in 2019, spending the eight previous years doing civil litigation at Russell McVeagh and as an associate at Christchurch firm Wynn Williams, where he won the 2015 National Law Foundation national young lawyers mooting competition. Davies said the offer to become a partner was made with a chance to take more of a leadership role at the firm. Having mentored multiple junior lawyers during her time with the firm, being made partner was a public recognition of that work, she said. While BVA was “Ben’s firm”, Davis said Vanderkolk welcomed new ideas and opportunities from other staff.