We love sharing our team's voices, and we're delighted to spotlight Juno Lawyer Carina Barnett. After 12 years in-house, she reached a crossroads that will feel familiar to many experienced lawyers: stay with the known and comfortable, or stretch, learn and grow. She chose Juno, and in three years has supported the likes of NZ Super Fund, Auckland Council, and Te Whatu Ora.
In this team insight, she reflects on what drew her to the Juno model, the value of human connection in legal work, and why understanding the wider context always makes for better advice.
What first caught your attention about Juno, and what helped you decide the timing was right in your life and career to apply?
I remember the Juno webinars! They felt different and seemed to make sense to an in-house audience (engaging and interesting!).
I was in an in-house role for 12 years. Although an incredible company to work for, it naturally got to a point where the choice was to stay with the known and comfortable, or to stretch, learn and grow. The Juno model was appealing as it allowed flexibility, with the ability to dial down or dial up the support from engagement to engagement, in a way that suits the client and works well for the Juno Lawyer.
What do you enjoy most about your work as an in-house lawyer, and how does that shape the way you support clients?
I love being able to work closely with people across the organisation and being curious about their different roles and perspectives. In an in-house role, the wider context helps your advice be relevant and workable in practice.
How would you describe your approach when you’re embedded with a new client or legal team?
My mindset is to support the organisation as if I’m a permanent member of the legal team. This means getting to know the team as people is important (and the banter is key!). Juno lawyers are also fortunate to experience so many different ways of working, putting us in a perfect position to share if needed. If the mindset is that I’m part of the team, then there is a real drive to want to help the legal team be effective (even though we will jump out at some point).
What’s been the most rewarding or surprising part of being part of the Juno team so far?
Meeting awesome people. There is a real energy being part of the Juno team and although we don’t work directly together, there is a genuine connection with the wider Juno lawyers. The Juno team are always so willing to collaborate. Although we regularly connect online, I do look forward to when the Auckland team can catch up socially in person!
What do you feel contributes to a great Juno engagement, for both you and the client?
- Having a clear conversation on the client’s preferred way of working and understanding the level of visibility that they need.
- Having an awareness of the risk appetite of the organisation can also be helpful.
- Regular catch-ups are key (particularly when remote) to make sure the level of support/delivery to the wider organisation is working well. It’s also a chance to check in on what they or the team are up to from a more human side of things, ranging from chats about cricketing highs (and lows) to chats about home improvement projects to chats about their latest tattoos!
Ngā mihi maioha ki a Carina Barnett, for sharing her experience and way of working with the community.
At Juno, we provide experienced in-house lawyers who can step in when and where they're needed, from day-to-day support to navigating complexity and change. If you'd like to learn more about how we work or meet more of our team, visit Our Services page, and get in touch.
Demand for experienced in-house lawyers who can embed quickly and build trust continues to grow. We’re expanding our team to meet that need. Learn more about joining the Juno team on our Join Us page.