Last Year – No. 37 A foremost commercial law expert, author and academic, Peter Watts has slipped somewhat only due to his relinquishing his position at Auckland Law School for a full time position with Bankside Chambers, but his star remains undiminished. Having taught law at the University of Auckland for more than 30 years,
Last Year – No. 28 SFO Chief Julie Read has slipped somewhat from last year. Criticised for a low level prosecution rate and relatively low level ‘scalps’, Julie Read’s tenure as head of the Office has seen the office disappoint many with its performance. Return to the Power List Click Here
28. Andrew Cordner 28. Andrew Cordner Andrew Cordner comes with a legal pedigree second to none and now fronts legal work for the company responsible for one third of the world’s dairy exports and generating revenues of well over $17 billion. Replacing former Fonterra legal counsel Mike Cronin in 2015, Andrew Cordner has experience as
24. Michael Heron QC Former Solicitor General Michael Heron is increasingly becoming the go-to Silk for enquiries and regulatory work, as well as showing an entrepreneurial streak with the development of his online mediation tool CODR. His ‘enquiries’ work has ranged from investigating the Simon Bridges’ expenses leaks and allegations made against former Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority
FMA General Counsel Nick Kynock joined the Authority following work in London but his influence upon FMA policy and enforcement is considerable. His wide experience in financial services regulation in the UK and Europe (he also served on the City of London Law Society Regulatory Committee) give him a perspective and background that pushes him
25 Mark Weenink Former Minter Ellison Rudd Watts managing partner Mark Weenink is the only lawyer sitting on the management team of a major bank, also possessing one of the longest titles of anyone on the list, being General Manager,Regulatory Affairs, Compliance & General Counsel New Zealand. He joined the bank in August 2015 after
23. Miriam Dean QC Leading arbitrator, litigator, mentor and currently also chair of the banking ombudsman scheme and director of New Zealand on Air, Miriam Dean remains one of the key heavyweight lawyers in regulatory, consumer affairs and dispute resolution matters. Seizing opportunities as they arrive opens up a range of opportunities you may not
Retaining her spot on the List, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts’ former long-serving Chair Cathy Quinn retains a role as a key deal makers and firm builder. Cathy Quinn’s key role in a number of deals including her directorship of Fletchers, Tourism Holdings, the Treasury Advisory Board and her role in the increasingly significant New Zealand
14. Pip Greenwood In a year when #Metoo took firm hold of the New Zealand legal profession, Pip Greenwood found herself front and centre as a lead partner in dealing with the fallout from the Russell McVeagh harassment scandal. In November she also announced her retirement from the firm to pursue directorship opportunities, commencing in
Eminence gris of the Bar the redoubtable Sir Geoffrey remains as engaged in legal affairs as ever. Sir Geoffrey Palmer QC made a rapid rise up the rankings last year with his Aotearoa Constitution work with Russell McVeagh partner Andrew Butler, resurrecting discussion regarding a written constitution for New Zealand. This year he made some
