B. S.L . LL. B. , LL.M. (NYU)

American University, Washington College of Law (JD); Stockholm University (LLM in International Commercial Arbitration Law)

I am a New Zealand-based dispute resolution practitioner with almost 25 years’ experience across commercial, construction, property, public works, and valuation-driven disputes. I have a proven track record in complex and multi-party cases. 

My work focuses on the resolution of complex civil and commercial matters, including construction and property disputes, and multi-party proceedings. Over the course of my career, I have been involved in more than one hundred mediations, arbitrations, and adjudications/binding rulings, including leadership roles in large-scale, multi-party and class action proceedings. I have appeared at all levels of Court in New Zealand, including the Supreme Court and in most Tribunals.

I bring a practical, commercially grounded approach to dispute resolution, with a strong focus on fair, efficient and durable outcomes. My experience frequently involves technically complex disputes requiring detailed expert evidence, particularly in valuation, construction, and infrastructure contexts. 

My practice has included disputes arising from compulsory land acquisition and compensation, large-scale public infrastructure projects, building and construction defects, insurance coverage disputes, and property claims. My experience includes valuation-driven matters under the Public Works Act, leaky building claims, and business loss assessments connected with major infrastructure developments.

I hold dual degrees in Law (LLB (Hons)) and Property (BProp) from the University of Auckland and was the first woman in New Zealand to obtain both qualifications. This has strongly influenced my work in valuation and land-related disputes. I was acknowledged by the New Zealand Herald in its 2022 Power List of New Zealand’s Top Corporate and Civil Lawyers.

My experience also includes governance and public service roles, including serving as a board member of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and as a substitute lay member of the Cadastral Surveyors Licensing Board of New Zealand. I am frequently sought out for media commentary on construction, property and valuation issues, and my views are regularly cited in the New Zealand Herald. I contribute to the legal community through publications, and have co-authored the New Zealand chapters of Getting the Deal Through: Litigation Funding and The Third Party Litigation Funding Law Review (two editions), and served as a member of the Law Commission’s Expert Advisory Group for its report on class actions and litigation funding.

Northwestern University School of Law (cum laude, Law Review)

Georgetown University (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa)