Australian-based litigation lawyers Shine Lawyers are making a splashy entrance to the New Zealand legal scene, taking naming rights over a downtown Auckland building and providing a presence in Christchurch, with an eye on the insurance claims in the south.
SHine is listed on the ASX and has over 850 lawyers in Australia in a major legal network that has seen it
In New Zealand it is lead by Managing Director Andrew Hooker, (right) who rose to prominence with the $1 billion Australian bank class action lawsuit action when he worked with class action legal monolith, Slater & Gordon and funded by Litigation Lending Services. Slater & Gordon have since had some major problems of their own to contend with but remain a leading class action litigator in Australia and the UK.
He has also been heavily involved in claims arising from the 2010/2011 Christchurch earthquakes and which Shine is now playing its part lead by him but in a disaster that saw Shine’s Australian firm taking an early interest, ultimately leading to the establishment of the New Zealand firm.
Hooker told the NZ Herald, “They were keen to get into the New Zealand market and were looking for a firm that they could work with. My firm fitted their culture really well and we shared the same values – we love working for the underdog to get everyday people the outcome they deserve.”
His specialist firm was acquired by Shine when they set up in 2015, relocating from Albany to Swanson Street.
The firm has recently been involved in pursuing claims of toxic contamination from firefighting foam used at New Zealand airbases, a similar claim to Australian claims, while the Australian firm, Slater & Gordon and others are now gearing up, along with the banks, for a major Royal Commission into allegedly fraudulent bank practices which will see hundreds of millions spent on lawyers.
They are also involved in a developing claim in Australian against AMP for allegedly lying to regulators and policy holders.
