Why Russell McVeagh Partner Brian Clayton Ditched the Timesheet (Temporarily) and What It Did to His Lawyer Brain
Most construction partners spend their careers praying the pipeline never dries up. Brian Clayton, on the other hand, actually walked away from it, swapping the office for a paddock, co-founded a fully integrated hops export business with his brothers, and discovered what it feels like when cash-flow forecasts really matter and the bank actually rings you on a Sunday.
The business, Clayton Hops, bill themselves as the largest and most advanced hop growers in New Zealand.
Then, after getting his hands properly dirty, he strolled back into Russell McVeagh as a partner. Because apparently the grass literally is greener when you’ve felt it barefoot after years in the desert.
With a background working not only in New Zealand, but also in the Middle East, Africa, the Pacific and Europe, Brian Clayton is a West Coaster who built a substantial reputation across not only the globe but across major commercial areas of activiting. He worked at major global firm Shearman & Sterling (now A&O Shearman) and returned to New Zealand for a typical kiwi upbringing.
Here’s what the prodigal construction lawyer has to say in an interview with his firm:
- Running a real business makes you dangerously commercial “It taught me to move fast, be nimble and appreciate the pressures businesses face – like prioritising, differentiation, innovation, technology, resource constraints, stakeholder consensus, value-for-money and cash flow.”
- Translation: he now spots client BS from 100 metres and actually understands why they’re screaming about liquidated damages.
- The prodigal return was purely selfish “I was drawn back by the opportunity to work in a team operating at the very top of its game.” …and I’m excited about what we can achieve together.”
- He sid his best career move was leaving law The Africa’s-largest-oil-refinery gig was flashy, sure. But the real turning point was clearly bailing out to grow hops. That’s the bit that turned a very good technical lawyer into someone clients will actually listen to when he says “don’t sign that”.
- Today’s must-have partner traits (according to someone who’s seen the other side) “Commercial savvy, pragmatism and strong technical skills. Building rapport and trust, listening and being detail-oriented are just as important as legal expertise.” Note the order. He put commercial savvy first.
- The one thing clients still chronically underestimate “The importance of project management.”
- You can have the most beautiful Russell McVeagh-drafted contract in the Southern Hemisphere, but if your PM team is rubbish you’re still going to arbitration.
- On risk allocation “Contracts have become more balanced, with features like liability caps for contractors becoming more common.” Which roughly translates to: contractors finally grew a spine and the market had no choice but to let them keep it.
So there you have it, comrades. Proof that sometimes the fastest way to become a better lawyer is to stop being one for a few years, build something that can actually go broke, and then saunter back in with the smug enlightenment of a man who knows exactly how fast cash disappears when the weather turns.
Moral of the story? If you’re a mid-career construction lawyer feeling the itch… maybe don’t dismiss that crazy side hustle. Turns out even hops can be a perfectly respectable detour on the road to partnership.
