Profile
“Being true to who we are is key; we are purely a referral-based business. There is zero marketing or advertising”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
As director and principal lawyer at Black Door Law, Caroline Rieger has created a framework that empowers everyone at the firm to reach their full potential.
She founded the boutique employment law firm in 2021, utilising her true passion for employment law and human rights after a successful and varied civil litigation practice.
“I’ve been fortunate to work on many fascinating and rewarding legal matters throughout my career, but my greatest achievement lies in the relationships I’ve built with colleagues and clients,” Rieger says. “These connections have been the foundation for developing Black Door Law, a firm that reflects the values and trust I’ve cultivated over the years.”
Upon graduating from high school, Rieger took a gap year, travelling throughout South America and Europe. On that experience, she discovered her strong desire to help and support others. When she returned to New Zealand, she saw the legal industry as a powerful tool to turn that aspiration into reality.
She says, “Looking back now, it’s fascinating to see how the various threads of my career – though they didn’t always make sense at the time – have come together in a way that’s both rewarding and fulfilling. It’s a reminder that sometimes the unplanned journey can lead to an outcome far more exciting and interesting than anything you could have planned out.”
Rieger’s journey has harvested success along the way, being recognised as an Elite Woman of 2023 by NZ Lawyer and, in 2025, a Law Firm Leader of the Year.
“Leadership, in my view, has evolved significantly over the years,” she says. “It’s no longer about hierarchy or titles but about fostering an environment where everyone feels inspired to lead in their own way.
“I once heard someone say, ‘You don’t need a title to lead,’ and I truly believe that. I encourage my team to lead themselves first, then others through their example. For me, the real art of leadership lies in connecting people with diverse strengths and perspectives to achieve the best possible outcomes. It’s about collaboration, trust and creating space for everyone to shine.”
Rieger cares deeply about her clients, taking the time to uncover what drives them, their passions beyond the immediate task and what truly matters to them.
She says, “By forming genuine, authentic relationships, I create a foundation of trust and connection. In my experience, when you focus on the person first, the work naturally follows. It’s about building partnerships, not just delivering services.”
Rieger’s strategic vision is grounded in being an all-round good person, believing that if you have a great team doing great work for great people, everything else will naturally fall into place.
“I always keep an eye on the future, constantly thinking about what’s next – something my office manager often jokes about, as much of her role involves keeping my ‘next big idea’ in check,” she says. “That said, while forward-thinking is crucial, you must ensure you are executing the day-to-day with consistency and excellence. Balancing the two is where strategy truly comes to life.”
Level 9, 36 Brandon Street, Wellington 6011
04 280 3980
caro@blackdoorlaw.co.nz
linkedin.com/in/carolinerieger
blackdoorlaw.co.nz
Caroline Rieger
Director and Principal Lawyer
Black Door Law
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“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
2010–2012
2012–2015
2015–2018
2019–2021
2021–present
Solicitor at Bramwell Grossman
2010–
2012
Solicitor at Thomas Dewar Sziranyi Letts
2012–
2015
Senior Solicitor at DLA Piper
2015–
2018
Partner and Head of the Employment Law Team at Morrison Kent
2019–
2021
Director and Principal Lawyer at Black Door Law
2021–
present
Milestones
Milestones
ELITE WOMEN 2024 JUDGE
“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day,” he says.
While at the helm of a rapidly growing business and a family that includes two young children at home, Rakowski has learned to manage what he calls a “never-ending list of commitments” that consists of a new team member each month, a new interstate office and two to three new referral partners monthly.
“Our business is a human business, so investing genuine time in every person can be draining on a personal level. Balancing it all is a challenge,” he says. “Simply put, do what you say you will do, and act at all times with honesty and integrity, being respectful and empathetic. The financial outcomes are a byproduct of the human interactions we have.”
Attracting, retaining and delivering exceptional client outcomes and service starts with a sincere interest in their journey and remaining relevant to them as their lives and needs evolve, notes Rakowski. He points out that he and his team put in most of the work upfront in building meaningful relationships, which is a testament to its 99% client retention rate.
He says, “We are clear in the types of clients we work best with and our value proposition. We also look for a cultural alignment with all of our referral partners, and we are acutely aware of our strengths and how different we are from our industry peers.”
Rakowski recently opened a Queensland business and plans a foot in every other capital city. He strives to establish the brokerage as a national business with on-the-ground representation in every state by the end of 2025.