NZ Lawyer caught up with Jones & Co partner Greg Jones who reveals his concerns for the industry and why he would create bunker-less golf courses.
Five minutes with Jones & Co partner Greg Jones.
What made you decide to become a lawyer?
A frank discussion with my maths teacher in the seventh form at Auckland Grammar. Before that, I had aspirations to become a Civil Engineer.
How long have you worked at Jones & Co and what brought you to this position?
I started Jones & Co 10 months ago.
What’s the strangest case you’ve ever worked on/been involved with?
Confidentiality prevents me from saying. The minute I did, the identity of the parties involved would be obvious.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Pope Francis – I am not catholic but I think he has an amazing ability to influence people in a positive way; Doris Lessing - I am not sure she would accept my invitation and Joni Mitchell – provided she brought her guitar.
You’re based in Auckland – where’s the best place to go for a drink and/or dinner after work?
Close to work, O’Connell St. Bistro has always been a place I have enjoyed going to.
What’s the best piece of advice (work or personal) you’ve ever been given?
Less is more.
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work?
Most sports, with a special passion for cricket, golf, rugby and rugby league, particularly the Kiwis and the Vodafone Warriors who I am involved in the sponsorship of.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
A golf course designer – in partnership with Judge Gary Harrison. I’m not sure how many courses we would complete but we would have a lot of fun. It would have no bunkers. He would remove all the bunkers on the left side of the fairway and I would remove all the ones on the right.
What do you think will be single biggest issue facing the legal space in New Zealand in 2016?
Continued access to good legal advice at a cost that the everyday person can afford.
If you had John Key’s job for one day, what would you do?
Create an immediate and irrevocable fully funded plan to create a generation of properly fed, cared for and nurtured children under the age of 5.
What do you love about your job?
It gives me the chance to solve difficult problems.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
Nothing – well perhaps a few more holidays. Starting up a firm has required a lot of my time and more holidays with the family is something I look forward
What made you decide to become a lawyer?
A frank discussion with my maths teacher in the seventh form at Auckland Grammar. Before that, I had aspirations to become a Civil Engineer.
How long have you worked at Jones & Co and what brought you to this position?
I started Jones & Co 10 months ago.
What’s the strangest case you’ve ever worked on/been involved with?
Confidentiality prevents me from saying. The minute I did, the identity of the parties involved would be obvious.
If you could invite three people for dinner, dead or alive and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Pope Francis – I am not catholic but I think he has an amazing ability to influence people in a positive way; Doris Lessing - I am not sure she would accept my invitation and Joni Mitchell – provided she brought her guitar.
You’re based in Auckland – where’s the best place to go for a drink and/or dinner after work?
Close to work, O’Connell St. Bistro has always been a place I have enjoyed going to.
What’s the best piece of advice (work or personal) you’ve ever been given?
Less is more.
Do you have any hobbies/interests outside of work?
Most sports, with a special passion for cricket, golf, rugby and rugby league, particularly the Kiwis and the Vodafone Warriors who I am involved in the sponsorship of.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t a lawyer, I would be…
A golf course designer – in partnership with Judge Gary Harrison. I’m not sure how many courses we would complete but we would have a lot of fun. It would have no bunkers. He would remove all the bunkers on the left side of the fairway and I would remove all the ones on the right.
What do you think will be single biggest issue facing the legal space in New Zealand in 2016?
Continued access to good legal advice at a cost that the everyday person can afford.
If you had John Key’s job for one day, what would you do?
Create an immediate and irrevocable fully funded plan to create a generation of properly fed, cared for and nurtured children under the age of 5.
What do you love about your job?
It gives me the chance to solve difficult problems.
What would you change about your job right now if you could?
Nothing – well perhaps a few more holidays. Starting up a firm has required a lot of my time and more holidays with the family is something I look forward
