Leading Auckland commercial litigator Kim Francis has joined Bankside Chambers as a barrister sole, departing the specialist disputes firm Lindsay Francis Mangan & Lee, which he helped establish in 2021.
Francis co-founded Lindsay & Francis with Timothy Lindsay in 2021 after leaving Meredith Connell at the end of 2020, where he had spent approximately 10 years, including six as a partner. LawFuel reported his departure in February 2021.
The boutique subsequently expanded internationally, with Australian arbitration specialist Mark Mangan joining in 2024 and the firm establishing a Singapore office. LawFuel reported the expansion and subsequently covered its move into Sydney in March 2025.
Francis played a central role in building the firm’s commercial litigation practice, handling complex corporate, regulatory and insolvency disputes.
His move to Bankside, announced on 27 October 2026, follows more than 25 years in litigation, including six years working in international arbitration in London.
In announcing his departure, Francis praised his former colleagues and said the firm was in excellent shape, pointing to the addition of partners Jacob Barry and Sam McNae in 2026. There was no announcement from the firm.
His move marks the end of a five-year chapter building one of New Zealand’s leading focused litigation boutiques.
