LawFuel Power List 2025 No. 20 Reed continues tackling high-profile cases at the intersection of criminal and civil law. Her October 2024 Whakaari Management High Court appeal challenging the company’s conviction over the 2019 volcanic eruption killing 22 people argued the ruling had “concerning implications” for landlords permitting adventure activities. This year she excoriated the […]
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.
LawFuel Power List 2025 No. 22 Callinan, formerly Simpson Grierson’s veteran litigator, now leads the Commerce Commission during its most transformative period in two decades. Recent enforcement includes criminal prosecution against One NZ (satellite communications claims), Kiwibank (Fair Trading breaches), TSB (unreasonable fees). The Commission’s expanded powers under Commerce Act reforms—merger call-ins, predatory pricing tests,
LawFuel Power List 2005 No. 23 Auckland Crown Solicitor (2015-2023), Dickey was the first Māori to hold that position Dickey led NZ’s highest-profile prosecutions including Grace Millane’s murder trial and involvement in the Polkinghorne case. His 30 years of criminal and commercial litigation, SFO panel membership since 2010, and white-collar crime expertise following the GFC
LawFuel Power List 2025 No.24 Nicholson’s September 2025 KC appointment recognized her role as Chief Parliamentary Counsel and CEO of the Parliamentary Counsel Office—where, as the document notes, “drafting is where power hides.” Every piece of legislation passes through her office. That’s not hyperbole—it’s structural reality. From the Emissions Trading Scheme to health reforms to
LawFuel Power List 2005 Former Fonterra General Counsel Cordner is inaugural Chief Legal Counsel for Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand), consolidating 20 former District Health Boards into a single entity under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act. His ability to handle large-scale organizational structures positions him at the forefront of NZ’s most ambitious health
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 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 2015 No. 36 Floyd is General Counsel at Fonterra since 2023, navigating challenges including evolving dairy regulations, international trade barriers, sustainability initiatives, on-farm profitability issues, and processor competition for milk supply. She steers legal strategy for a $24 billion company through the Dairy Industry Restructuring Amendment Bill and global market dynamics affecting
LawFuel Power List 2025 No. 37 Blackmore has carved a niche in public sector transactional matters, providing counsel to Treasury, state-owned enterprises, and Crown entities. Recent work includes advising Z Energy through its $2 billion Ampol takeover, advising Treasury on Air New Zealand’s $2.2 billion recapitalization, and assisting NZ Post in acquiring Fliway Group. His
