A chat with 2025 award winner, Suzanne Trounson
Suzanne Trounson, Senior Solicitor – Public, International and Commercial, Maritime New Zealand and winner of the 2025 MAS New In-house Lawyer of the Year award, tells us how it felt to win the award, what led her to study law and shares some advice for new in-house lawyers.
How did it feel to win the MAS New In-house Lawyer Award?
Slightly overwhelming, but it has been really lovely recognition and I feel privileged to be in the cohort of ILANZ winners. I prefer being on the side lines as opposed to on stage (well out of my comfort zone), so I also vividly recall a sudden sense of panic on the night.
You and your team at Maritime New Zealand also took home the Public Sector Lawyer of the Year Award (Rose Mein) and the Greenwood Roche Public Sector In-house Team of the Year Award. What was it like sharing this achievement with your colleagues?
Sharing the award with Rose and my broader colleagues was really special and the icing on the cake. As an in-house lawyer, I am acutely aware that individual success is almost always a reflection of the underlying support of the team, mentors and colleagues. The team culture at Maritime is something unique and empowering, so I took all awards as a fitting reflection of this.
What led you to study law, and in what ways, if there are any, does your background as a mariner connect with your current role at Maritime NZ?
I did have a giggle at this question, as I never planned to be a lawyer (in fact, I did not really know any lawyers and had no idea what the practice of law involved). I enrolled in law after finding it difficult to get a job interview in London without a university degree, despite at the time working as operations manager for an outdoor fitness company. My approach at the time was simply what degree would give me the skills that would help me transition to a corporate shore-based career, and law seemed to provide that (and would hopefully not be a waste of four years). I never intended to practice but, like many, found law fascinating. It also aligned well with my strong sense of social justice and fairness, and enjoyment of tackling difficult problems.
I am fortunate in that my background as a mariner is inherently linked to my current role at Maritime NZ, which is part of the value I bring the team (adding of course to the unique skills and experience each colleague brings). Our work spans operational advice, public law, legislation, governance, regulatory prosecutions and international law; but all with a maritime focus (which in a very niche way merges all my prior experience into one role). Coming from the industry will always provide you with a unique awareness of how decisions are likely to impact stakeholders and industry participants, so I think my background helps me ensure our advice is pragmatic and strikes the right balance between regulator and participant.
How much did you rely on the support of other employees when you started out in law?
Completely. I am someone well-acquainted with imposter syndrome and found the legal environment quite foreign (particularly entering the profession in my mid 30s), so I probably relied on others more than most graduates. I was fortunate to work in litigation firms during university and then in a close team environment at the Court of Appeal and Crown Law, so the way I practice law has been completely shaped by the support of those around me. In particular, the time colleagues have generously given me in explaining their perspectives on certain legal issues and the importance of keeping people at the centre of our work has influenced my approach to legal practice.
What advice do you have for new in-house lawyers?
Lean in, stay curious and take up the opportunities to learn more about your organisation - particularly the non-legal areas. Relationships are also valuable, and often critical, so make sure you invest in them.
The ILANZ Awards are presented at our Gala Dinner and 
Awards Ceremony, following the ILANZ Conference. This year's
Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony was sponsored by Meredith Connell.