Profile
“I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
Fiona McMillan is a partner at Lane Neave who has significantly contributed to the firm’s growth by taking a people-centric approach as well as supporting the HR function.
For McMillan, being a partner in a law firm is akin to having four jobs: doing legal work, supervising other lawyers, building her practice, and being involved in the firm’s business. She credits her “incredibly smart and hard-working team” as instrumental in helping her focus on building the practice and being part of the firm’s growth.
“I work hard; however, when I became a partner, our former chair reminded me that I had become a partner relatively young and I needed to treat this as a marathon, not a sprint,” she says. “He reminded me that all this hard work would be pointless if I were burned out by 40. And he is right. As a result, I am fairly religious about doing what I need to do during the week to put 100% into my role, and then Saturdays and Sundays are work-free.”
Lane Neave started in Christchurch, and in 2015, McMillan was the first employee of Lane Neave Auckland. In 2023, a team of 40 employees is dedicated to growing the firm’s presence in the Auckland market, an accomplishment McMillan considers among her most noteworthy.
She views every new instruction as an opportunity to build a professional relationship, assist with an employer’s business, or help an employee navigate career challenges.
Her early career plan was to become a high school English teacher or work in journalism or public policy. However, after graduating with a law degree, McMillan accepted a summer clerk position at Lane Neave and excelled at private practice.
“I loved it, but I never thought or imagined I would be a partner,” she says. “I have loved every step along the way, said yes to every opportunity, and was constantly looking at the next step, thinking, ‘Yes, I would like to be there’.”
On being named an Elite Woman of 2023 by NZ Lawyer, McMillan humbly points out: “At the end of my career, I hope people can say, ‘Well, she was nothing but herself the whole time’.” I like to think that people have observed me and realised you don’t have to be a certain stereotype or behave in a certain way to be a good lawyer. Being professional and honest are the two must-have traits; there is much room for just being you beyond that.”
New Zealand’s looming succession issue is something about which McMillan is passionate, and she has her sights set on demonstrating to young lawyers entering the profession that partnership can be a fulfilling and fun path.
“What I hope people see when they see me on the Elite Women list is that you don’t have to be privately educated or come from a long line of lawyers to have a wonderful and successful career,” she says. “If you work hard and enjoy building relationships, then there is no doubt you can do well.”
141 Cambridge Terrace, Christchurch 8013
64 273 512 000
fiona.mcmillan@laneneave.co.nz
linkedin.com/in/fiona-mcmillan-b1195543/
laneneave.co.nz
Fiona McMillan
Partner
Lane Neave
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Milestones
“To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
2006–2007
2014
2015
2016
Present
2006: Began her career with Lane Neave Christchurch as a summer clerk
2007: Joined Lane Neave Christchurch as a graduate in the employment law team
2006–
2007
Made the move to Auckland, where she joined Langton Hudson Butcher as a senior associate before taking on a fixed-term role with Perpetual Guardian as its in-house employment lawyer
2014
Rejoined Lane Neave and became the first employee in its Auckland office
2015
Made a partner at Lane Neave
Nominated for the Young Lawyer of the Year category at the NZ Law Awards
2016
Listed as a Recommended Employment and Health and Safety Lawyer in Doyle’s Guide
Recognised in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a Leading Employment Lawyer
Present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
How does he distinguish himself among fellow brokers?
“I believe all brokers are working very hard in a difficult market,” he says. “However, I have demonstrated continued growth, advocacy and performance on my client’s behalf, which is now recognised [for 10 consecutive years] in the Elite Broker awards.”
In 1990, Dixon got started with FAI, working in claims and as a team leader. From the late 1990s up until 2003, he worked at FAI and Suncorp in underwriting and as an area manager at VACC, CGU (South East Queensland). From 2003 to 2012, he got into broking and eventually started Dixon Insurance in 2013. Since then, he’s accumulated numerous acccolades, including Elite Broker, Diversity and Equity, and Fast Broker awards.
During the pandemic, Dixon challenged insurers over the Quarantine Act application to insurance wordings. His argument was that the Quarantine Act does not apply as an exclusion, as the Biosecurity Act was invoked by the Morrison Government, and this was not a subsequent amendment to the Quarantine Act. The test case in the Appeals court was won for Dixon’s client with a unanimous five-judge verdict.
He remains focused on transport, manufacturing, motor trade, engineering and large farm clients.
What are his plans for the future?
On a business level, “more of the same. I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes.”
On a personal level, Dixon invests significant time, effort and funds, along with his GT3, to support many charities through his passion for motorsport. From participating in and sponsoring the Thunderbolt Run (which provides tens of thousands of dollars in support for Beyond Blue and Prostate Cancer), to organising and running the Track Knights for Amira charity night where 28 Exotic Supercars raised funds through passenger laps in wet conditions, Dixon states “this is our time to give back to the community and those in need. My friendships and association with those seeking to do the same, allows us to contribute to those less fortunate and raise funds and awareness”.
He adds: “To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need.”