Auckland lawyer moves to Whanganui to make his big break

Simon Badger, the new partner at Treadwell Gordon. Photo/ Stuart Munro

A 29-year-old former Aucklander has been named a main partner at Whanganui law firm Treadwell Gordon.

Simon Badger moved to the River City in August last year with his wife Alice - who was born and raised on a farm in Fordell - and last month he was appointed an equal partner.

Mr Badger said the leap in his legal career was exciting and daunting at the same.

"Ever since you first start out as a lawyer you aspire to get to this point and you feel proud to achieve the goal," he said.

"But it is a big responsibility that really hits home - it's an exciting challenge."

It was the small-town, convenient lifestyle that pulled the couple to Whanganui.

"When we were working in Auckland, as soon the clock hit 5pm we would leave work and drive as far out of the city as we could. I thought why do we live in a city that we don't enjoy."

Mr Badger graduated from the University of Otago in 2010 with a bachelor of law and commerce. He then had four years working for a mid-tier law firm in Auckland before transitioning into a commercial banking role with ANZ.

Mr Badger said he took the banking role because he had reached a point where he was looking for a new challenge.

Now the challenges are coming thick and fast - in less than two weeks the couple are expecting their first child.

"It's a very exciting time, and I'm looking forward to getting involved in the community."