Anoushka Bloem

Why did you choose to study law at the University of Auckland?
When I started university, I didn’t have a clear vision for my career. I knew I was curious about law, but I didn’t know any lawyers and I didn’t really know what the profession actually involved.

What I did know was that I wanted to use my academic strengths in a way that could make a meaningful difference. Studying law turned out to be a truly eye-opening experience. It challenged the way I thought, sharpened my ability to communicate, and gave me an early glimpse into the legal system.

My decision to attend UoA was also shaped in part by family, as my older brother had studied there before me, and my father was an academic in the Medical School. Those familiar connections gave me a sense of comfort stepping into something entirely unfamiliar.

What were some of your most memorable moments as a student?
The University of Auckland Law School offered a supportive learning environment and I really valued being surrounded by people of different backgrounds and from all walks of life.

There were also some great lecturers and one in particular, Scott Optican, really brought law to life for me, as he has for so many others. His lectures made law an engaging experience and were a key influence for sparking my interest in pursuing a career in criminal law.

How did your experience at the Law School shape your career or personal development?
Law school feels like a long time ago now, but it was a very formative chapter. One that challenged me in ways I didn’t expect and ultimately helped shape the standards I hold myself to today.

I quickly realised it was a highly competitive and ambitious environment, which was quite different to what I was used to. I was really impressed with the quality of people I met - they were smart, driven and committed to succeeding. Being surrounded by such capable and driven peers encouraged me to strive for excellence academically and also in my chosen career path.

Looking back, it’s been amazing to see how my peers have each forged their own path, the different directions they’ve taken and the kind of people they’ve become. In particular, I’ve found it interesting to see some of the women have navigated the demands of legal careers, while raising families and continuing to lead in their own right.

Tell us about your current role or professional journey since graduation.
After graduation I worked at Bell Gully in the corporate and tax teams for a few years, which gave me foundational experience, including how a big law firm operates. I reached a point where I wanted to try something different and that was what led me to criminal defence.

I was initially working for a small law firm and not long after began practicing on my own as a barrister. Those early days were a crash course in building a practice from the ground up. With no support team behind me I had to quickly learn the basics of representing clients and managing a practice on my own. It was a challenging, but incredibly rewarding time and looking back it has laid the foundation for everything that’s come since.

In amongst this I got married and had three children. Luckily, I was able to keep my hand in criminal law, working part time at the Public Defence Service as a supervisor.

In approximately 2017, I decided to go back full time, with the goal of starting my own law firm. Fast forward to now, the firm, now called Bloem Law, is one of Auckland’s only full-service criminal law defence firms. I have a team of about 18 staff which includes criminal defence lawyers supported by graduates, law clerks and a dedicated administration team, who are all committed to providing transformational outcomes for our clients.

My practice involves specialising in serious crime and I mainly focus on serious drug cases, sexual cases and homicides.

What are you most proud of in your career so far?
One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been growing a law firm and helping shape the next generation of lawyers along the way. I also endeavor to give young lawyers not just strong legal training, but also a genuinely supportive environment where they can grow and thrive.

I remember what it felt like starting out without much guidance or support and I am grateful to be in the position I am now where I have the opportunity to provide that support to new lawyers. Watching my team gain confidence and seeing them progress is really rewarding!

How has your legal education helped you in your professional life?
My legal education laid the foundation for how I think, communicate, and approach challenges in both law and life. It taught me how to analyse complex issues, ask better questions and also to look at situations from multiple angles.

Law school was also the first time I was pushed outside my comfort zone, while being surrounded by ambitious, capable people in a competitive environment. That experience shaped the standards I’ve set for myself ever since, both academically and professionally.

While the lectures and tutorials gave me the theory, the real value came from how it sparked my curiosity about what legal practice could look like in the real world and identify areas that I found interesting.

What advice would you give to current law students or recent graduates?
Law school offers only a glimpse into the reality of legal practice and the real learning begins once you step into the profession.

I would encourage you to the most of your time before graduating to explore different areas of law. Talk to lawyers in a variety of fields, ask questions, and seek out practical experiences (even short ones), as getting that exposure early on can be the key to discovering what area sparks your interest.

When you finish law school, it’s important to have a strong sense of who you are, what you're good at, what motivates you, and what kind of legal environment will allow you to thrive. The better you understand that, the better positioned you’ll be to make good career choices.

Just as important as skills and knowledge are the relationships you build along the way. Try to maintain genuine connections with the people you meet. Over time, your integrity, loyalty and how you treat others will define you as a lawyer and will shape your reputation in the profession. In a tight-knit legal community like ours, those qualities will define you far more than any job title ever could.

Are there any lessons you’ve learned in your career that you wish you knew as a student?
Being a lawyer is not always about being perfect or winning the argument. Being a good lawyer is about giving your best and being committed to ongoing learning and development throughout your career.

Not getting the result you wanted is not a personal failure (even if it may feel like one). The key is to always get back up and to take the lessons with you. It is in the process of getting back up and trying again that we become not only better lawyers, but better people.

What does success mean to you now, and has that changed since graduation?
Over time, my idea of success has shifted. When I was at law school, success often felt tied to job titles and climbing a very defined ladder. It was all about the position you held or the firm you worked for. But when you have been in the profession for a while you realise that those things don’t really matter.

I’ve come to realise that success means being passionate about what you do, finding something that fits your skill set and then excelling in that area. For the kind of work I was drawn to, there wasn’t a neatly defined role, so I made my own one and I built a career around what I enjoy and what feels meaningful to me.

What’s next for you – any upcoming projects, goals, or personal milestones?
I have just celebrated my 21 years in the profession and moving to large new office premises for the team. I am looking to upcoming speaking engagements, including speaking at the 35 Years of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act Conference with the Chief Justice and continuing to give back to the profession, with the lawyers that work for me and upcoming students.