Stephanie Thomson (nee Robb)
Company: WSP
Job title: Senior Legal Counsel
Stephanie Thomson
About Stephanie
I am a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand and have eleven years of post-qualification experience as a commercial lawyer. I have spent the last six years working as in-house counsel for three engineering consultancies (AECOM, Tonkin + Taylor and WSP).
Whakapapa pepeha
I am a third-generation New Zealander, with my ancestors being of Scottish, Irish and French descent. Even though New Zealand and the United Kingdom/Europe couldn’t be any further apart geographically, I feel very strongly connected to both continents and always feel most at home when I am in either place!
Strategic vision
To be the centre point for all engineers in New Zealand. We are the glue that keeps the industry together. We are a champion for engineers and encourage them to perform their services to the highest ethical standards. We explore pain points for engineers, create risk mitigation strategies and protect our position in the market. We are on the pulse with trends and best practices across the industry nationwide and globally. We adapt well to change and are always looking at ways to improve our industry. We ensure that we are protected from unfavourable risks and ensure that risk allocation is fairly represented in our dealings. We are partners to our engineers, learning from and supporting them. We foster relationships with key stakeholders, advising and educating them on the key issues that affect engineers and amicably resolving any issues.
Strengths
I have been an in-house lawyer working for engineering consultancies for the past six years.
I have worked at three different consultancies - AECOM, Tonkin & Taylor and WSP (where I am currently working). Working for three consultancies that all have different risk profiles has given me a deep understanding of the engineering industry and the contractual and legal risks faced by engineers in carrying out their work, and the best strategies to mitigate those risks.
To ensure there is good leadership in the industry, engineers need to work with people who have a diversity of thought. Being a lawyer and a woman I can bring this diversity, bringing a different lens to many situations.
I am also a member of the ACE legal panel which meets every two months so I am well across the issues faced in the legal world of engineering. That said, I can bring more than being a lawyer, I can be a smart person at the table.
What does diversity and inclusion mean to you?
Supporting and promoting diversity and inclusion helps people to feel valued, which in turn helps them to feel empowered and reach their full potential. It means accepting and embracing diversity and inclusion of all genders, races, ages, ethnicities, cultures, religious or political beliefs, education levels, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, disabilities and so on.
It is about championing and celebrating differences and coming together as a collective whole on an equal footing. As a woman who has experienced gender bias in the workplace, D&I is a cause very close to my heart. I am currently a D&I champion for the DIAG group at WSP, where I am a leader in promoting inclusion and diversity in our workplace. As a group we lead, advocate for, coordinate, inform, and monitor WSP's D&I plan. The group reflects diversity through gender, ethnicity, age, and technical discipline and brings people together from across the country.