In our chat with David Dunbar, we explore his in-house career journey, which has taken him from legislative reform to shaping health sector regulations. David shares how his roles at Parliament, the Ministry of Health, and currently at the Medical Council have shaped his approach to legal work, relationships, and adaptability. Guided by the whakataukī Ka mua, ka muri (walking backwards into the future), he reflects on what makes a fulfilling in-house career—balancing legal skills with influence and connection.
How did your career path lead you to in-house legal work?
I didn’t start with a clear plan to go in-house; instead, I followed my interests and took opportunities as they came. I started out in merchant banking in Christchurch then moved to parliamentary work in Wellington, where I had the chance to work with policy and legislation. It was a big turning point as that work really opened my eyes to in-house roles, though they weren’t as visible back then as they are now.
Each role allowed me to build my confidence and knowledge, following my interests along the way. For example, my role at the Ministry of Health on the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCAA) gave me a much deeper understanding of the legislative process within the public sector. When I joined the Medical Council, I found myself in the medico-legal space, where I could combine my legal knowledge with my interest in public safety and policy.
Are there any key moments in your career that stand out or feel particularly rewarding?
There are a few occasions that really stand out. One was early in my career drafting Members Bills at the Clerk’s Office, like the Prostitution Law Reform Bill and the Abolition of the Death Penalty Bill. It’s remarkable how many important measures in New Zealand start as Members Bills, and being in the Chamber as these were debated was unforgettable—it had its moments, as you can imagine! Working closely with members, especially at a time when figures like Robert Muldoon and David Lange were in Parliament, was an early career highlight.
Another key moment came during my time on the Branch Council and later as the President of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS). As one of the few in-house lawyers among many from private firms, there was some scepticism to overcome, but it was an opportunity to bring an in-house perspective to the table. One question that often came up was how the NZLS could balance its regulatory responsibilities with its role as a representative body. I sometimes wondered if the NZLS could do more to advocate publicly for the profession, but there was a sense that this could compromise its regulatory role. My experience with the Medical Council, where we support doctors' health and wellness alongside our regulatory responsibilities, gave me a different perspective on how regulatory bodies can support professionals.
Then, at the Ministry of Health, I was part of the small, specialist team behind the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCAA). Working on legislation that has stood the test of time felt meaningful, and being part of that process was special.
Stepping into the Registrar role at the Medical Council was a big milestone. Leadership doesn't always come naturally to me, but over the years I’ve focused on being authentic, responding to the role’s responsibilities, and drawing on others’ skills to help everyone perform at their best. For me, a big part of the role has been relational, not just procedural—whether it’s working with stakeholders, staff, or other professionals, these connections make the work real and bring home a sense of its impact. It also highlights for me one of the great opportunities of in-house roles; working closely with my Medical Council colleagues, all expert in their different disciplines and working to common purpose in a values-based way, has been truly rewarding.
In this role, I’ve also connected with international colleagues through the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities, which has been both a tremendous opportunity to learn and to share lessons. There’s a shared focus on best practices and supporting competency, and I’ve learned so much from exchanging insights globally. Closer to home, working with the Cook Islands and Tonga through the Pasifika Medical Association to provide practical and advice on updating and enhancing their regulation of doctors was a humbling experience. It reminded me of the substantial resources we have here in New Zealand compared to our Pacific neighbours, and it was satisfying to help provide practical solutions tailored to their needs.
All careers have challenges as well as rewards. Anything especially testing that springs to mind?
When Covid first hit (and the weeks and months following!) the Medical Council was working at pace, having to respond daily to issues arising around the profession. We needed to create more flexibility so doctors could meet the increased demand for health care, we needed to balance our robust processes with the need to be agile – and all this in the difficult context of remote working.
You can’t turn on a tap and suddenly get more doctors. The biggest challenge was developing a new policy that met the minimum standards with enough flexibility for doctors to provide more flexible yet safe care. One part of the solution was to create a mechanism for retired doctors to return to practice to provide vaccination services. Another aspect was working with other councils like the Pharmacy Council around prescribing (with overlapping roles for both professions in prescribing). It was a testing time but looking back, it was a period of growth for me professionally, especially around leadership and resilience. There was a real sense of accomplishment in knowing I contributed to practical solutions under tough circumstances.
You’ve spent your career in the legal profession. Has it changed much since you started?
It’s changed significantly. When I started out, the path was fairly predictable—you either joined a firm or took up one of the few in-house roles. The focus was primarily on legal advice. Now, it’s a much more multidisciplinary field. Communication, negotiation, and relationship-building are valued alongside technical skills, and it’s as much about applying the law as it is about developing good policy.
We’re also seeing more women in the profession, expanded career options, and a growing emphasis on mental health, work-life balance, and workplace culture. During my time as an executive member of the Wellington Branch of CLANZ (now ILANZ), these were key issues we worked on, and it was rewarding to contribute to these developments. Being involved in professional groups like ILANZ is important, too, especially in roles that can feel isolating. ILANZ offers invaluable support for in-house lawyers, both professionally and collegially.
Have you got any advice for lawyers just starting out, especially those considering in-house legal roles?
Focus on yourself and what being a lawyer means to you. Law is a broad field with many options—it’s not an end in itself. In my experience, in-house lawyers are becoming more integral to business strategy, balancing legal expertise with policy and strategic acumen. Think about how you can influence decision-making or contribute to policy development.
Building connections with colleagues is also crucial, especially in roles that can be isolating. Networking helps you stay grounded and supported. For in-house lawyers, ILANZ provides invaluable professional and collegial support. I’ve been lucky enough to attend the ILANZ conferences for many years. Year after year the conference explores critical and current developments, presented by experts in the field, while continuing a strong focus on personal development and connectedness within the profession.
Above all, build on your core skills, know what interests you, and be open to opportunities that align with those interests. My own career has been about following my interests, doing my homework on key issues, and finding roles I enjoy. I never imagined this exact path, but those twists and turns have led to a fascinating career, one that’s been challenging and at times surprising, but personally and professionally fulflling and purposeful, with few regrets.
What’s next for you?
I feel fortunate to be at a stage where I can pass on what I’ve learned to others. I’ve recently moved to a new role at the Medical Council as Kaitohutohu Tuatahi Chief Adviser, which gives me opportunity to take on new challenges while enjoying working closely with Council’s new Registrar, Christine Anderson. I’m enjoying it. The opportunity reinforces for me the value of collaboration and shared exploration of new ways of doing things, which we should always be open to.
For me, this phase is about relationships and focusing on skills that are not technical skills, but the ones around relationships and communication that make this work meaningful. My time working with Pacific nations, like Tonga, also reminded me of the privilege and responsibility we have to share knowledge where we can make a difference.
In-house roles can sometimes feel solitary, so it's rewarding to be able to connect and offer support to others. It would feel like a waste not to pass on what I’ve learned, and I find real meaning in helping others strengthen their skills, build resilience, and carry on the work in their own way.
I think of it as ‘Ka mua, ka muri’—walking backwards into the future. Reflecting on my path, I hope others can benefit from my experience.
Ngā mihi nui to David for sharing with the community about his career highlights and the unique strengths in-house lawyers bring—adaptability, relationship-building, and practical skills that go beyond the purely technical. His reflections remind us of the impact we can have in our roles, wherever our paths may lead.
If you know a team or individual with insights or experiences to share, we’d be glad to hear from you. We’re always interested in featuring voices from all stages of in-house legal careers.