1. Una Jagose
A distinguished public interest lawyer, Una Jagose remains heading the Power List although it has been a less than memorable year in terms of issues she has needed to front-foot for the office.
She has been dealing with the ongoing issues related to Lake Alice in the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care involving incompetence and coverups over the treatment of inmates at the psychiatric hospital at Lake Alice.
Following the apology offered on the part of the Crown she has been the subject of a complaint to the Law Society by Lake Alice survivor Leoni McInroe over allegations of having documents withheld.
In May, fellow Power List member Maria Dew KC was appointed to undertake a review into workplace conduct issues about a senior member of an office holding the Crown Solicitor warrant.
And at the end of 2022 she received the report from another KC, Nicolette Levy, who looked at the actions of those lawyers involved in the prosecution of Alan Hall, who was imprisoned for two decades before his convictions were quashed by the Supreme Court last year, and forwarded the matter to the Police.
As former head of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) she has also been Deputy Solicitor, Crown Legal Risk at Crown Law. In 2016 she was appointed as the first woman Solicitor General since the role was established in 1867. She remains highly regarded for her abilities as a lawyer and leadership qualities.
2. Rebecca Kitteridge
The former chief at the NZ Security Intelligence Service stepped in as temporary head of the Office of Prime Minister and Cabinet after being appointed as Deputy Public Service Commissioner last year.
The long time public service lawyer who had previously spent six years as Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council within the DPMC, she is one of the most highly connected and powerful lawyers in Government.
One of Sir Geoffrey’s chief contentions is that Parliament is too small and weak to keep an effective watch on the Government.
“The Parliament in New Zealand is rather a strange beast, because it has 120 members. It has no upper house. We live in a country with few ‘checks and balances’. The result of that is that the Government dominates the Parliament, like a colossus.”ving served under five Prime Ministers, she commenced her career in the private sector before moving to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and joining the NZSIS in 2014.
Importantly, she enjoys the ear of some of the most powerful public servants in the country, as well as the Prime Ministers she serves under.
3. Madeleine Laracy
Deputy Solicitor General
As Deputy Solicitor General and former Deputy Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Madeleine Laracy occupies a strong position as a powerful operator in the Crown sector, as well as handling sensitive roles with ability.
She returned to Crown Law as Deputy Solicitor General in January 2021 following 15 years’ experience as Crown Counsel.
A former head of the Public Defence Service, she has intimate knowledge of the workings of not only Crown Law and the Ministry of Justice but the entire machinery of government.
Recently taking a lead role in the controversial conviction Scott Watson when she appeared for the Crown to resist applications for new DNA evidence to be introduced that challenged the original evidence convicting him of double murder.
4. Frazer Barton
Law Society President
Last Year – 5
Law Society president Frazer Barton was re-elected for the role in 2023 after previously stepping into the presidency with the debacle over the Law Society’s ‘culture’ issues with the resignation of the CEO and elected president Jacque Lethbridge.
The Law Society’s response to the independent review report into the Law Society and its role as self-regulator has seen approval for almost all the recommendations made by the Report, including the key recommendations regarding the appointment of an independent regulator and a modernised complaints process.
He found a ‘compelling logic’ to having an independent regulator to avoid the obvious conflict with Law Society objectives as a membership body.
A long-time, strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Barton has doubtless been a steadying influence over a profession that has dealt with harassment issues as well as the Covid disruptions and is now needs to oversee the structural reforms necessary for the Society.
An Anderson Lloyd litigation veteran, where he heads the firm’s litigation team, he has served as Vice President (South Island) on the Law Society Board since 2020 and chairs the People and Capabilities Committee.
He also serves as a member of the Council of the University of Otago and chairs its Appeals Board and Health and Safety Committee.
5. Michael Heron KC
Last year – 6
Michael Heron continues his ascent on the Power List with both a wide ranging and eclectic practice – one minute a dawn raids inquiry, another minute its community magistrates – combined with an intense interest in both the profession and technology-related issues where his entrepreneurial streak has flourished amidst various digital ventures.
A former partner at Meredith Connell and Russell McVeath, the former solicitor general (2012-2016) has also spread his legal wings further following his resignation from the top government law role in 2005, as we reported in an earlier LawFuel interview.
Developing the online mediation tool CODR, which he has since sold to Immediation, the online mediation platform started by Melbourne barrister Laura Keily he has not only embraced the digital revolution now enveloping the court system and harking back to his initiatives as Solicitor General, but has built a substantial practice in sports law enquiries and major enquiries, including the recent Law Society enquiry into the Society’s workplace culture.
As chairman of Immediation he continues to play a major role in sports law matters after the services were appointed to run the mediation service on behalf of Sport NZ.
He is a judicial officer for New Zealand Rugby and SANZAAR, a National Commissioner for New Zealand Cricket and a member of the International Cricket Council Code of Conduct Commission and Disputes Resolution Committee.
Also active in regulatory litigation and advisory work he has continued to remain a major influence upon various legal practice areas
Exquisitely connected within the legal, business and sports communities, Michael Heron’s impact and influence continues to reign near the top of the Power List. Apart from the culture review of the Law Society, reviews relating to the death of Olympian Olivia Podmore for Cycling NZ and High Performance NZ, working with police over the Mosque shootings in Christchurch, the State Services Commission over budget leaks, reviewing animal welfare issues for the Ministry of Primary Industry, the references to ‘the Heron Report’ continue to mount.
His interests in technology have not only seen the successful founding and sale of Immediation, but also seen him involved in the digital technology studio Glorious Digital and Agreeable, the ‘digital divorce’ app.
Relaxed and good-humoured, he maintains a steadfast interest in pursuing just outcomes via mediation, litigation or advisory work he continues to mentor and assist others in the profession while exploring ways in which to better deliver just outcomes at whatever level parties engage with the legal system.
