NZ Power Law Firm Briefings: Insights, Briefs & Articles From New Zealand Law Firms

A former Russell McVeagh partner whose misconduct kick-started a #MeToo movement in New Zealand is seeking a new practising certificate after a three-year suspension. James Gardner-Hopkins was found guilty of six misconduct charges by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal. There is no redemption for James, there is an unforgivingness in being brown. He was the… Read more: Former Russell McVeagh Lawyer James Gardner-Hopkins and The Unforgivingness of Being Brown

Deborah Chambers KC, the Trust Buster for the Brokenhearted John Bowie The NZ Herald published a glowing feature about Deborah Chambers KC, the Power List divorce lawyer who has become perhaps the most prominent divorce and trust and relationship property lawyer in the country. She is also, reputedly, one of the top-charging KCs with hourly… Read more: Deborah Chambers’ Rules For Divorce

Most of the LawFuel stories from last year that were most-read were from the Power List, unsurprisingly, but the top story was the shenanigans at the Northern Club and Ron Mansfield’s appointment as Lawyer of the Year in terms of ‘click volume’. We’ve assembled some of the key stories below and the lawyers from the… Read more: New Zealand Law – LawFuel’s Most-Read Lawyers And Law Stories From ’24

This obituary for Frank Handy is provided by a LawFuel contributor The death at 91 of Francis Joshua Handy brings to end one of the more remarkable and colourful New Zealand legal-commercial careers of recent times. From the South Island Frank Handy was a son of the Manse and throughout his life constantly displayed the… Read more: Frank Handy Oilman Lawyer from Maui to North Sea

31. David Bricklebank The ‘bank’ is in the name and David Bricklebank’s role in New Zealand’s largest bank with assets exceeding $180 billion is one of significance given the increased regulatory and compliance requirements affecting all financial institutions.  As General Counsel and Company Secretary of Athe bank since 2017, he holds a key role in… Read more: LawFuel Power List 2024 – Nos. 31 – 50

LawFuel Power List 2024 During the year, the legal profession has seen new entrants, as an emerging number of influential commercial lawyers and litigators increasingly exert their influence over the profession. Women continue to also better reflect the preponderance of women law graduates as capable and effective women lawyers play a key role in shaping… Read more: New Zealands Top Lawyers

Jeremy Johnson is a lawyer who has earned a well-deserved spot on the LawFuel Power List for 2024. We recognised him as a litigation ‘heavy hitter’ but his inclusion in this year’s Power List, to be published shortly, is overdue. Johnson is one of the key additions to the list as a New Zealand lawyer… Read more: Top New Zealand Lawyer Joins LawFuel Power List

Leading litigation funding company LPF Group has announced the appointment of former High Court and Court of Appeal Judge Robert Dobson KC (pictured) to its board of directors. This addition comes as the company’s current Chairman, Bill Wilson KC, transitions to the role of Emeritus Chair, ensuring continuity and ongoing support to the board. “With… Read more: Former High Court and Court of Appeal Judge Joins Litigation Funder Board

Una Jagose Under Attack Survivors of the Abuse in Care scandal are seeking the removal of Power Lawyer Solicitor-General Una Jagose. Seeking a new job? LawFuel’s jobs network has them The calls follow the Government apology following the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. They argue that without significant change, including Jagose’s removal,… Read more: New Zealand Law – Abuse Survivors Call For The Head of Una Jagose

Chapman Tripp is pleased to announce it is welcoming Philip Ascroft, Tom Jemson and Vonda Engels to the partnership. In addition, Rachael Irvine-Shanks and Melanie Hayes have been promoted to Special Counsel. >> Your NZ Law Job Here – The Dedicated New Zealand Law Jobs Network Left to right: Philip Ascroft, Tom Jemson, Vonda Engels,… Read more: New Zealand Lawyers News: Chapman Tripp Announce New Partners

New Zealand Law Lady Leaders New Zealand’s legal profession has made a remarkable transition with the recent appointment of Justice Christine French as president of the Court of Appeal, which marks a milestone with herself, the Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelmann the Chief High Court Judge and the Attorney General as all women. >> Latest… Read more: The New Zealand Law Quartet of Power Women Lawyers

The creation of the ‘new’ Jarden following the sale of its wealth management division has seen the prominent role played in the new company by leading lawyers from the LawFuel Power List, plus a leading Australian investment banker and lawyer. LawFuel’s Power List already had Silvana Schenone and Matt Whineray but in Australia former Allens… Read more: The Power Lawyers Leading The New Zealand Investment Giant

>> Latest Law Jobs on New Zealand’s Best Law Jobs Network Former Russell McVeagh lawyer Emily Reeve has been appointed Executive General Manager for Legal & Risk at Kordia, following a successful career as an in-house counsel. Reeve brings with her a wealth of experience in the realm of in-house counsel. Her most recent role… Read more: Successful Progression For NZ In-House Counsel In New Role

Just as he promised former Justice Minister has returned to the law, joining a Lower Hutt-based law firm. The former Labour leader, Minister and union leader, has a wide range of experience across the public law spectrum. >> Latest Law Jobs on LawFuel – Queenstown, Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington – Check NZ’s Best Law Jobs Network… Read more: New Zealand Law Move: Former Justice Minister Andrew Little Returns to the Law

Attorney General Judith Collins is a major power player in the Luxon Cabinet, holding two law degrees and with a legal career spanning four decades. We outlined Collins’ background in this article, demonstrating her chameleon-like ability to recreate her political and legal careers at different times and she has continued to present the face of… Read more: Who Is The Easily Overlooked New Zealand Lawyer Power Player in Cabinet?

power lawyer CEOs are becoming more common as lawyers change their roles into management. Here are some top New Zealand CEO-lawyers

Former MinterEllisonRuddWatts partner Silvana Schenone may no longer be at the legal coal face, but her role with leading New Zealand-owned investment banking group and wealth managers Jardens sees her play a key role in the company’s development in both the New Zealand and Australian markets and to enter the 2023 Power List of New… Read more: The Legal Dealmaker-Turned-Investment Banker Silvana Schenone Makes 2023 Power List

New Law Jobs Daily on Lawfuel’s Law Jobs Network Michael is an experienced commercial litigator having gained experience at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts before moving to Baker & McKenzie, London in 2000. Almost five years later Michael returned to New Zealand joining Lowndes Jordan, becoming partner in 2006. In 2007 he became the senior partner… Read more: NZ Law: Michael Morrison Joins Bankside Chambers

K3 Legal has expanded its services to Hong Kong, joining forces with Fred Kan & Co, providing a network into China and Japan. The newly established entity will be known as “K3 Legal Hong Kong.” >> Your New Law Job Is Here: K3 has been set up as a multidisciplinary practice providing services across management… Read more: K3 Legal Makes Hong Kong Move

The 2023 LawFuel Power Lawyer List Contenders Continue To Arrive Choosing members of the forthcoming 2023 Power Lawyer List means sorting through a vast number of lawyers who are performing across the legal world in a vast number of ways. We ask for you to consider who should be on or out of the 2023… Read more: Should This Energy Drink Co-Founder Be A Power Lawyer in Our List?