Some career paths are a straight line but for Graeme Randle, our Special Counsel based in our Cashmere office in Christchurch, it has been anything but that.
Graeme gained his law degree at age 61, while working full time at a large Kiwi corporate as a long-time member of the management team. As he puts it, "I came to law late in life, but I think it was always part of my destiny."
That depth of life experience shows in the way Graeme works. He specialises in family and business trusts and has a particular gift for helping people in later life navigate changes to their estate planning, which is often a sensitive and emotional process. He also advises Incorporated Societies and speaks to many not-for-profit organisations informing members on a range of legal-related topics. Whatever the matter, Graeme brings genuine empathy to the table, and a real passion for taking the worry out of difficult decisions.
Outside the office, Graeme's life is just as full. He can be seen on stage for local theatre groups, and with his partner, Elizabeth, enjoys films, books and music. He can usually be tempted by a Pinot Gris or a good craft beer, but it's what he does in the skies that really sets him apart.
Graeme has been a private pilot since 1999, with over 720 hours in the air and more than 200 of them in formation flight, often just two metres from another aircraft as part of a three-ship team. He’s represented New Zealand in formation flying on several occasions and picked up regional and national awards along the way, most recently in Timaru in February this year.
We asked Graeme what flying and law have in common. Turns out, quite a lot:
“You need a licence to do it. Knowing the rules is really important. It takes great discipline. Getting it wrong can be embarrassing if you’re lucky, and costly if you’re unlucky – I don’t want to mention deadly. It is generally pretty exciting. You need to rely on your team and know they have your back, as you have theirs. It is very satisfying. It can be crazily scary at times, and you just want to get out of it. People are very appreciative when you do it well. There can be a lot of money involved. You can be proud of what you do. Sometimes it is turbulent, even when it looks clear ahead, so you must keep a firm hand on the controls. People want to know when you will be doing it again so they can watch. And when the team does it well together, it’s impressive.”
It’s a fitting way to describe both careers – precision, trust, and a steady hand when things get bumpy.
If you’d like to sit down with Graeme to talk through your estate planning, trust structures, or an Incorporated Society matter, he’d love to hear from you.