NZ Lawyer

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Sarah DeSourdy Hastings makes partner at Russell McVeagh

5 days ago | thelawyermag.com | Jacqueline So

The newly promoted homegrown star started her legal career with the firm as a summer clerk By Banking and finance lawyer Sarah DeSourdy Hastings has been elevated to partner at Russell McVeagh. DeSourdy Hastings is a homegrown star within the firm, having started her legal career as a summer clerk there. She has advised on regulatory capital instruments, debt capital markets programmes and issuances and regulatory issues affecting banks and other financial institutions.
Grant Jones on the vulnerability of realising a mistake - and needing to admit it

6 days ago | thelawyermag.com | Jacqueline So

For the AIA Australia GC, his biggest lessons have been learned from his mistakes By Grant Jones was first drawn to in-house law because of his father, and the financial services lawyer has since excelled in this area of the law, logging a successful stint as GC at MLC Life Insurance before he made the jump to AIA Australia earlier this year.
Emmeline McIllree is Gilchrist Connell's new chief people officer

6 days ago | thelawyermag.com | Jacqueline So

McIllree takes over the role previously held by incoming CEO Belinda Cohen By Emmeline McIllree has been announced as Gilchrist Connell's new chief people officer. McIllree steps into the role with immediate effect, taking over for Belinda Cohen who becomes Gilchrist Connell's CEO on 1 July.
HSF, Kramer Levin complete combination into Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer

6 days ago | thelawyermag.com | Jacqueline So

The merged firm began operating as its new entity yesterday By Herbert Smith Freehills and Kramer Levin have completed their combination into Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer as of yesterday 1 June. This concludes a merger plan that was first announced last November. The new entity will comprise approximately 2,700 lawyers in 26 offices worldwide - including a partnership of 630. "Today we embark on an exciting new chapter.
Frasers Property, Morgan Stanley form $600m capital partnership with help from Corrs

1 week ago | thelawyermag.com | Bernise Carolino

Partners Robert Clarke and David Ellenby jointly lead legal advisors in joint venture By Corrs Chambers Westgarth, an Australian independent law firm, has announced that it assisted property developer Frasers Property Industrial as it formed a logistics joint venture with Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (MSREI), with the resulting portfolio valued at about $600m.
K&L Gates guides Square Peg in Airwallex’s US$300m Series F fundraise

1 week ago | thelawyermag.com | Bernise Carolino

Co-lead partner Daniel Atkin calls this one of Australia’s largest capital raises this year By K&L Gates LLP, a global law firm, has confirmed that it assisted Australian venture capital firm Square Peg as the lead investor in global fintech company Airwallex’s Series F capital raise valued at US$300m. The capital raise provided that Airwallex was worth US$6.2bn, according to a news release from K&L Gates.
Thomson Geer to nab Ashurst’s Canberra office in July

1 week ago | thelawyermag.com | Bernise Carolino

Australian firm will take seven partners, who act for Commonwealth clients, from global firm By Ashurst, a global law firm, and Thomson Geer, an independent Australian corporate law firm, have jointly announced that Ashurst’s Canberra office will officially be joining Thomson Geer, effective early July.
Addisons adds Brigid Clark as employment and workplace relations partner

1 week ago | thelawyermag.com | Bernise Carolino

Her clients include those from infrastructure, tech, professional services, healthcare sectors By Addisons, a Sydney-based full-service commercial law firm, has announced the appointment of Brigid Clark as a partner in its employment and workplace relations practice, as of Monday. Clark is an employment and work health and safety lawyer, according to a news release from the firm.
Moray & Agnew moves Melbourne office to 333 Collins Street

1 week ago | thelawyermag.com | Bernise Carolino

Recently added corporate and commercial partner Sotheary Bryant has experience in auto industry By Moray & Agnew has relocated its Melbourne office to a building at 333 Collins Street, Melbourne, as of 23 May 2025, according to a media release from the national law firm. “We will have a temporary home on level 8 of the new building ahead of our permanent home on level 16,” said Bill Papastergiadis, Melbourne managing partner, in the media release.
Three financial reform bills to rebalance the system undergo first readings

1 week ago | thelawyermag.com | Bernise Carolino

New Zealand Banking Association welcomes planned credit contracts and consumer finance amendments By Scott Simpson, commerce and consumer affairs minister, has announced the first readings of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Bill, the Financial Markets Conduct Amendment Bill, and the Financial Service Providers (Registration and Dispute Resolution) Amendment Bill.