Nicola Carpenter has spent nearly two decades building a career in corporate law, a high-powered role that calls for precision and polish. Recently appointed partner in the corporate team at boutique law firm Heimsath Alexander, she regularly advises founders on business arrangements, acts for clients on mergers and acquisitions, and offers strategic advice on shareholding and governance.
“One of the things I enjoy most is meeting passionate founders who are building business and bringing new ideas to life,” she says, noting that she would love to work with more women entrepreneurs.
We met Nicola near her central Auckland office to talk about her career and photograph her in some favourite office-ready Foundation Suiting 2.0 pieces.
“I love the contrast of the black buttons on the cream fabric,” she says of the Harry Blazer in Milk, worn with the matching Vela Pant. “It’s fashionable and professional at the same time, my kind of vibe."
I have just been appointed a partner in the corporate team at Heimsath Alexander, which is a boutique law firm in downtown Auckland. I have a husband who is a photographer, a 14-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son, so it is a pretty busy life.
On a standard week day, I get up by 6.30am, fit in a Pilates class at least once a week, make school lunches, have a coffee and breakfast at home and drive into my office on Princes Wharf, aiming to arrive by 8.30am. Once I’m in the office, I’m usually pretty desk bound reviewing contracts, drafting agreements, emailing, meeting clients on Teams, catching up with my team and the occasional face to face client meeting. If the weather is good and I have time, at lunchtime I’ll take a walk around the Viaduct before heading back to my desk for the afternoon.
I try to get home in time for dinner if I don’t have a work function. My husband generally cooks during the week but I try and menu plan on the weekend – I find being more organised makes for a much smoother week, and more diverse meals! We sit down together as a family for dinner and talk through the day. Once the kids are in bed, we head to the couch to watch a show – my current fave is The Pitt – then it’s bed with a book. Right now I’m reading Bel Canto by Ann Patchett.
My work can mean a few different things. It provides purpose each day, it’s intellectually challenging, I’m always learning new things and it provides financial security for my family. One of the things I enjoy most is meeting passionate founders who are building business and bringing new ideas to life.
It’s also important to me to be part of the female representation in a corporate world that is still fairly male dominated. I think visibility is important, particularly for younger women coming through the profession, and I would love to work with more female entrepreneur clients.
I have followed a fairly typical career path in lots of ways, but I haven’t ended up exactly where I anticipated I would be. I studied Law and a BA at Auckland Uni straight after high school and then started working at a boutique firm in Ponsonby.
I was desperate to do an OE, and when I was 25, my boyfriend (now husband) and I moved to Barcelona where we lived for a year, working menial jobs to get by and pay for our road trips, tapas and caipirinhas! We loved living in Barcelona, even walking to work was inspiring, passing by Gaudi buildings on hundred year old footpaths.
After a year I was ready to get back into law and we moved to London where I worked for a large US firm in the private equity team. This was my introduction to corporate law and I was hooked, I loved the driven clients, excitement of transactions and super intelligent people I got to work with. When we returned to New Zealand, I got a job in the corporate team of a firm that swiftly spun out and formed Heimsath Alexander, which is where I still work today almost 16 years later.
Since that time, I have progressed through the roles from solicitor to senior associate to principal and now partner (although I didn’t have aspirations to become a partner in my early years, that came quite a bit later). It has been a great firm to work for, a close knit driven team and a diverse range of clients. The firm has also been supportive when I had time off for each of my children and subsequently worked part time for a number of years.
Last year they accommodated our family adventure to Wanaka for eight months where I worked from home – and realised I’m lucky have a job that has the flexibility to do that. It was a great experience the whole family loved – I particularly enjoyed learning to ski – but now I also have a new love for lakes and mountains, so we’ve booked a trip to visit again this year… I think it’s going to be an annual thing.
Don’t give up. You might not get it right all the time, but nobody does, you just have to keep trying and keep showing up… And have a good attitude – that’s important for relationships with staff and clients.
The satisfaction of completing a large transaction after weeks of hard work. On a day to day level, it’s helping clients solve their problems and find an outcome that allows them to get on and focus on the business that they really want to be doing; and training up junior lawyers. It’s time consuming as they have a lot to learn, but I find it rewarding and I also learn a lot from them.
The work/life juggle. This is especially tricky during busy periods of work where it can feel like family and friends come second for a time. But I’ve learnt to find balance if I keep social activities quiet during the week and focus on work, family and essential things like exercise, and then I am able to relax and enjoy the weekends with friends and family.
My approach to getting dressed for work is… I have loved having a job where I get to dress up for work – suits, dresses, heels, blazers. Since I started working back in NZ in 2009, Juliette Hogan pieces have featured in my wardrobe as stylish, treasured staples. I have a bright red woollen JH coat from at least 10 years ago that I still wear a few times each winter as it beautifully brightens up my usual monotone palette!
Times have definitely changed over the past few years since Covid and it’s more acceptable to be casual in the office these days, particularly in corporate law; suits and sneakers are standard (one of my current go tos).
My daily work uniform looks like… Depending on the day, it’s likely to be a pair of wide leg trousers, an oversize shirt and blazer with loafers or sneakers. If I have a client lunch I’d probably be wearing a black JH dress with blazer and ankle boots. In the middle of winter, it could a JH knit with a mini, long winter coat and knee high boots.
The piece I rely on most during busy weeks is… a blazer 100%. It makes any outfit immediately look more polished. I wouldn’t go to a client meeting without a blazer on. I also love my JH kimono style wrap jacket made of black wool, it’s a great alternative for more casual winter days.
I feel most confident at work when I’m wearing… something comfortable, flattering and beautifully made – ideally from a New Zealand designer, like Juliette Hogan. I tend to gravitate towards those pieces when I want to feel polished or make a statement. They look good, feel good, and somehow do a bit of the work for me.
My go-to look or outfit for an important meeting is… a pant suit. It gives confidence, in how I look and feel, looks professional and indicates I’m there to do business.
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Photography by Babiche Martens