LawFuel Power List 2005 No. 27 Epati’s September 2025 KC appointment made her New Zealand’s first Pacific silk—a milestone that transcends individual achievement. As NZ Law Society President (2019-2022), the first Pacific Islander and youngest person elected to the role, she championed diversity, mental health, work-life balance, and bullying/harassment reforms. She was LawFuel’s lawyer of
LawFuel Law Power List No. 33 (Not to be confused with Tim Clarke at Richmond Chambers.) Clarke is Russell McVeagh’s Wellington-based public law partner who’s long had major policy-makers’ ears. An effective lobbyist as well as lawyer, he represents major corporate and non-government interests in public sector activity with encyclopedic knowledge of government and political
LawFuel Power List 2025 No. 34 The “divorce trust diva” has consistently held top rankings in both global and Asia-Pacific Chambers guides, handling high-profile divorce cases with multi-jurisdictional complications and appearing in the LawFuel list since 2019. Her practice involves complex relationship property matters, particularly where trusts obscure asset ownership. Recent personal challenges, including the
LawFuel Power List 2025 No. 38 LawFuel’s “Lawyer of the Year” (2023), Coates moved to Thorndon Chambers in September 2024 after over a decade as Kāhui Legal partner. She received the Te Pae Tata Award (2023) for work on Ellis v R [2020] NZSC 89—the landmark and controversial Supreme Court case recognizing posthumous legal proceedings
Article source: Liberty Law Center, CO A DUI charge can lead to severe penalties, but a conviction isn’t inevitable. The outcome may depend on challenging the prosecution’s evidence at every stage, from the legality of the initial traffic stop to the scientific accuracy of chemical tests. A strategic, methodical defense is crucial for identifying procedural
A Practical Guide to Building a Strong DUI Defense Read More »
Article source: Roven Law Group Employees frequently reach moments when personal or medical circumstances require time away from work. Childbirth, adoption, major surgeries, ongoing treatments, and family caregiving responsibilities can place significant demands on daily life. In these situations, understanding legal rights becomes essential. When employees know what protections exist, they are able to request
Maternity, Medical, and Family Leave: What Employees Are Entitled To Read More »
LawFuel Power List 2025 No. 25 Pre-eminent in construction and infrastructure law Christine Meechan KC had a background in insurance litigation in London before becoming a partner at Bell Gully and building a substantial civil litigation practice. Her expertise spans complex construction disputes, insurance, indemnity, engineering contracts, and infrastructure projects – sectors that are frequently
LawFuel Power List 2025 No. 39 Appointed KC in 2025, Ladd joined Shortland Chambers in 2021 from Bell Gully senior partnership (admitted 1995, Chicago LLM 2000). His broad regulatory/commercial litigation practice focuses on competition law, financial regulation (CCCFA, Financial Markets Conduct Act), insurance law, construction disputes, with 25+ years appearing before all courts and in
LawFuel Power List 2025 No. 41 Perennial power lister Chen continues exerting influence as chair of the Superdiversity Institute and president of NZ Asian Lawyers, recently establishing the Mai Chen Legal Innovation Award at Otago University to encourage innovative thinking. Having established her eponymous firm before ‘sacking herself’ and becoming a barrister, she serves as
LawFuel Power List 2025 No. 44 Priest has established herself as one of NZ’s leading criminal lawyers, joining the Power List in 2024, with 20+ years’ experience handling serious violence, sexual offenses, complex drug crimes, actively contributing to legal education and speaking at events. Her co-founding of “The Good Lawyer”—a non-profit providing resources to prisoners—demonstrates
