As summer draws to a close, we’ve been fortunate to spend the past few months working alongside our 2025/26 Garry Spooner Scholarship recipients, Lucy Trotter (Marton) and Scarlett Blackburn (Ohakune).
Lucy and Scarlett joined Treadwell Gordon in November 2025 and have spent the summer gaining hands-on experience across the firm, working alongside our legal teams and getting a practical insight into life in practice. In March, they’ll return to university to complete their final year of study – taking with them not just legal skills, but a deeper understanding of how the law serves real people and communities.
"My time at Treadwell Gordon has been very rewarding. The experience has broadened my knowledge and allowed me to work closely with the team, across a diverse range of legal matters and cases. It has been an invaluable opportunity and I am very grateful for the firm’s support and guidance." Scarlett Blackburn
"I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of work which has given me valuable insight into different areas of law. It allowed me to pick up new skills quickly. Having the opportunity to explore such a range of matters has been ideal as I am unsure of what area of law I want to go into." Lucy Trotter
Both Lucy and Scarlett are fourth-year Law and Commerce students at the University of Otago, and both share strong ties to the Manawatū-Whanganui region. Their applications stood out for their academic strength, and genuine commitment to contributing back to the communities that shaped them – values that sit at the heart of the Garry Spooner Scholarship.
What makes this programme especially rewarding is seeing its impact over time. Several past scholarship recipients have since returned to Treadwell Gordon as graduates and are now admitted to the bar, building their legal careers right here in the region. It’s a powerful reminder that supporting students early doesn’t just benefit them – it strengthens the profession and the communities we serve.
As Lucy and Scarlett head back to university soon, we’re proud to continue supporting them on their journey and look forward to welcoming them back in the future. The Garry Spooner Scholarship remains a cornerstone of our commitment to nurturing local talent and helping the next generation of lawyers build meaningful, lasting careers.
