As mum to Ivy (4) and Mabel (2), a new legal partnership and establishing gardens on a 22-acre plot, Palmerston North lawyer Shannon Johnston says home life with her banker husband Brian is a 50/50 partnership.
And baking cakes and scones is the way to unwind.
- Name
- Shannon Johnston
- Born
- Thames.
- Age
- 37.
- Entry to law
- Graduated LLB, BA from Victoria University in 2002. Admitted in 2002.
- Workplace
- Partner at Fitzherbert Rowe, Palmerston North.
- Speciality area
- Resource management, local government, civil litigation.
"Part of the reason I can do what I do is because my husband has some flexibility in his role because he is recognised as a working parent also," says Shannon, who was recently made partner at Fitzherbert Rowe.
"The profession is becoming better at managing the needs of working parents."
"It's less of a gender issue now and not just about working mums anymore … It's about working parents and most industries are becoming more cognisant of that … That's certainly a part of how I manage to juggle everything, we are a team in that space…
"It's a team effort on the home front and Brian and I work through that together … We are very 50/50 in the parenting of our children and that's massive…
"Also having a supportive legal partnership enables me to have some flexibility in how I run my practice - and it really is a juggling act…
"I love my job so it makes it worthwhile for me … We make it work…
"I often don't have much time for myself – it's either work or the children and a distant third my husband…
"As the children get older it will start to calm down but it has been a hectic four and a half years since Ivy arrived…"
Motherhood diminished sporting outlets for the former school and university netball rep and latterly social netballer, but Shannon continues running.
Moving to Palmerston North in 2009 after working in Melbourne and Wellington "wasn't part of the plan but it all worked out in the end … I'm from Taranaki so the Manawatu isn't too odd for me."
"We recently built our house on 22 acres at Mt Stewart a few minutes from Palmerston North and I am busy establishing gardens around the house and planting a lot of trees…
"It's a great opportunity when you live in the provinces to make the most of what the provinces deliver, such as great lifestyle, and Brian and the kids love it…
"I once suggested we have matching sheep but that didn't go down too well with my husband, who is from a farming background…"
With two active youngsters, watching television is not Shannon's first point of call, apart from catching up on reruns of American political drama The West Wing over summer.
"I enjoy some light reading when I can – which is not often – and Anita Shreve's The Pilot's Wife is a favourite … Next to the bed are children's author and illustrator Richard Scarry books…
"Now I'm going to go and read a book and stop watching The West Wing…
"I once tried to play the violin when I was younger, I thought it would be wonderful but it didn't last … I like drum and bass, dance music, general pop, Prince and David Bowie…
"If you caught me at home with a glass of wine I would definitely have some drum and bass going…
"I wouldn't pay $1000 to see Prince but I know people who would … We haven't been to any concerts recently but we're thinking about going to New Plymouth for Womad (World of Arts, Music and Dance) with some friends this year…
"We go to Waihi beach every summer and love it with friends with young kids…
"We are planning a campervan holiday with my brother and his family at end of April, piling the families into campervans and heading around the top of the South Island … The kids are beside themselves…"
The grand daughter of a former Mayor of the South Taranaki District Council, but with no other lawyers in the family, Shannon says her grandfather's work provided her with an insight into local government – "which I enjoy and it led me toward resource management law…"
"I remember from a young age saying I was going to be a lawyer, I talked myself into it always being better with words than numbers – which my husband would confirm … Law seemed a natural fit…
"If the girls came to me and said they wanted to be lawyers and would tell them they can do whatever they want but point out that the law is a rewarding and stimulating career choice…
"Generally speaking the profession, like others, is becoming better at managing the needs of working parents. It's not always easy but nothing worthwhile ever is…
"Further advances will also occur I imagine in terms of flexible work practices and how we provide services to clients.
"The legal profession is working towards being more enabling of that … We are seeing it in other areas as well, and it can only become easier over time…
"I wish I could say I drive the nice Ford Territory my husband does but he gets the nice car and I get the Mazda Astina wagon that races around doing pickups and dropoffs…
"Who would I have round for dinner???"
"Helen Clark definitely – whether you like Helen or not she has genuinely achieved quite remarkable things and is still doing great things on the international stage…"
"Dr Lance O'Sullivan is another one … he is a doer, he does what he says and makes a real difference…
"And I'd invite a chef … Cooking is not my expertise but I am a baker and enjoy making cakes and scones … Baking is a way for me to unwind although it used to be easier without two little helpers in the kitchen…"
Jock Anderson has been writing and commenting on New Zealand lawyers and New Zealand's courts for most of his career in journalism. Contact Jock at jockanderson123@gmail.com.