Life Squared Trust
Social Impact
Life Squared Trust
In 2024, WK proudly supported a transformative initiative focused on the mental health and wellbeing of lawyers across Aotearoa. This project holds deep personal meaning, as it was commissioned by the Life Squared Trust, a mental health charity founded by the McIntyre family and friends in honour of Andrew McIntyre, our founding partner, who tragically passed away due to depression.
The Trust was established with a mission: to understand, promote, and raise awareness of mental wellbeing in the legal profession. With the support of the University of Melbourne, the Trust commissioned a landmark three-year longitudinal study into the mental health of NZ lawyers, the first of its kind. The research was led in partnership with the NZ Law Society and aimed to uncover both the challenges and positive drivers of wellbeing within the profession.
This initiative has become a cornerstone of WK’s community contribution. Our people participated in the study, and WK contributed more than $80,000 towards the research. Partner, Sean O’Sullivan, serves as a Trustee of the Life Squared Trust.
The findings, published in September 2024 by the NZ Law Society, provide critical insights into both the depth of mental distress, including anxiety, burnout, and depression, and the factors that contribute to a more positive and sustainable professional life. In March 2025, the Minister for Health Hon Matt Doocey and the Life Squared Trust, in association with the NZ Law Society hosted a Not Admissible: A Discussion of Lawyers’ Mental Health event at Parliament.
Pictured L-R: Katie Rusbatch, Law Society Chief Executive, Sean O’Sullivan, Partner Wotton Kearney, Jacqui Macguire, clinical psychologist Life Flight Trust, Susan Rowe, Partner Buddle Findlay, Lynell Tuffery Huria, Partner Kāhui Legal.
More photos and LinkedIn post here.
This work does not end with research. We honour Andrew’s legacy and our commitment to this cause through ongoing action. We run annual mental wellbeing education sessions for all staff and continue to look for ways to improve mental health outcomes in our workplace and beyond.
Wotton Kearney acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work, and pay our respects to Elders past and present.
© 2026 WOTTON KEARNEY Legal information | Privacy | Legitimate interest | Contact
