LawFuel Power List 2025
No. 21
McClintock was appointed Auckland Crown Solicitor in February 2023, succeeding Brian Dickey KC, leading nearly 150 prosecutors in a role Meredith Connell has held for over a century. With 20+ years’ prosecution experience including 100+ trials (murder, sexual offenses, major drug crimes), she’s institutionally powerful.
Her demotion from No. 11 reflects the Polkinghorne acquittal’s impact – eight weeks of prosecution effort, a jury note revealing “most people don’t think there’s enough evidence to support suicide,” the mid-trial disappearance to India of fellow prosecutor Brian Dickey KC and eventual acquittal.
New Zealand’s most scrutinized murder trial in recent memory ended in defeat, combined with limited high-profile wins in 2025. McClintock’s institutional role remains critical – Auckland Crown Solicitor is one of NZ’s most important prosecution warrants – but the Polkinghorne loss and quieter year justify the drop. Power is outcomes and titles.
