Wayne Hoffer

Law alumnus is grateful for lessons learned at Waikato

Wayne Hofer has many titles including Senior Associate, husband and father, triathlete, and University of Waikato alumnus.

In May 2020, Wayne unexpectedly returned to New Zealand from the Caribbean to take a role as a Senior Associate Attorney at a law firm Tompkins Wake in Hamilton.

Wayne transferred his law degree to Waikato after his first year of studying at Auckland University. “Waikato became the proving ground for me because I had always done just enough at school to get by and Waikato was the first place where I fully applied myself. I have very fond memories and it gave me many takeaways for the future.”

Wayne worked hard at Waikato where he gained honours and won competitions. “A highlight for me was winning the Waikato mooting competition.  As a result of that win, I went to the Australasian competition in Canberra and then to New Zealand nationals in Christchurch. From that experience, I received a summer clerk job interview at Simpson Grierson and gained my first graduate role after a successful summer internship.”

Wayne says he appreciated Te Piringa - Faculty of Law’s problem-solving approach to learning. “Waikato set me up for the practicality of law, there was a great focus on how to fix a problem. That has helped me stand out in my career.”

Wayne’s career has provided him with many exciting opportunities, including working in London for American firm, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. “It’s the oldest firm in the US and is a litigation powerhouse. I was fortunate to get a job in its London office which took me to many countries doing exciting work – including one case where through interlocutory litigation strategy we saved a client 80 million pounds. It was pretty fun.”

He is grateful to Waikato for seeing his potential during his law degree. “The opportunities I have had over the past decade are solely due to Waikato. I am very grateful to Te Piringa – Faculty of Law. I try to never take it for granted and to keep my feet on the ground because I come from a humble background.”

Wayne’s message to the current Waikato student is this, “Know that when you work hard to achieve something, the opportunities will come and your teachers are interested in helping you succeed.”