The Many Legal Faces of Simon Berry
Environmental lawyer Simon Berry has enjoyed a journey is as twisty as a resource consent application. Just when you think you’ve pinned down which Simon Berry is which, another twist emerges—this time, with Simon Berry’s latest LinkedIn post showing he has been launching yet another new solo practice.
The confusion? It’s now practically a tradition.
The Many Faces (and Firms) of Simon Berry
Firm Hopping (But Always Environmental) Simon Berry’s career has spanned major firms, his own barrister’s chambers, and a co-founded boutique. Each move has left a digital trail, making it tricky for clients (and journalists) to know which Simon Berry is which, and where he’s currently practicing.
Here’s a brief review of the trajectory –
- Russell McVeagh: Simon’s legal odyssey began in 1982 as a law clerk in New Zealand’s first private client environmental law team. He became a partner and spent a decade there, making his mark on the field.
- Minter Ellison Rudd Watts: Next stop, another partnership, this time at Minter Ellison, where Simon continued to build his environmental law credentials.
- Barrister (First Stint): In 2004, Simon left the big-firm world to become a specialist environmental law barrister, enjoying the freedom of solo practice before the next chapter.
- Berry Simons: In 2012, He co-founded Berry Simons, a boutique environmental law firm that quickly became a go-to for major projects and complex RMA work. For over a decade, he was the “Berry” in Berry Simons, but not the only Simon Berry in the legal world. Cue the confusion.
- Back to the Bar (Again): As of 2025, He has stepped away from Berry Simons and returned to the Bar, setting up his own specialist environmental law practice. Yes, that’s right: Simon Berry is now Simon Berry, Barrister, again.
Why the Latest . .
- Now With Extra Complexity: With his latest move to solo practice, the “Simon Berry” brand is both more focused and more confusing than ever. Is he at Berry Simons? Is he a barrister? The answer, as of 2025: he’s on his own, again, and still very much a force in environmental law.
Despite the name confusion, his project list is a who’s who of New Zealand’s environmental and infrastructure landscape:
- Greenfield and brownfield developments (Ohinewai, Drury West, Rotokauri)
- Major water, wastewater, and stormwater projects
- Energy sector work (geothermal, wind, solar, thermal, electricity distribution)
- High-profile plan and policy processes (Auckland Unitary Plan, Waikato Healthy Rivers)
- Coastal and aquaculture developments
He’s also a seasoned hearing commissioner and fast-track panel chair, known for his “principled pragmatism” and ability to align teams on complex projects.
