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The top law firms, in-house teams and lawyers in the country showed up and showed out at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland
On 28 November, the New Zealand legal profession got a chance to shine at the 2024 NZ Law Awards held at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland.
The room was loud with cheers as the winners were announced across 26 categories covering individual and team achievements.
“Taking the time to celebrate success and recognise the achievements of these lawyers across New Zealand is so important. New Zealand loses a lot of lawyers to overseas, so being able to highlight the complex and high-profile deals and showcase the awards obtainable when pursuing a career in New Zealand – or returning – is crucial,” said Apryl Burgess, manager – legal, Wellington, at event sponsor Robert Walters.
For Jordan McCown, co-founder and CEO of first-time awards sponsor Realaml, his favourite part of the night was “the one-on-one moments to congratulate the awardees and celebrate their incredible achievements”. With Realaml sponsoring 2024’s Employer of Choice (>100 Lawyers) category, McCown had the pleasure of witnessing the “genuine shock and exhilaration” of CEO Jo Avenell at the announcement of Russell McVeagh as the winner.
For Fluid Legal Recruitment managing director Peter Clark, James & Wells’ victory in the Employer of Choice (<100 Lawyers) category “is a brilliant achievement, reflecting the dedication and effort they must invest into their company culture”.
James & Wells also got to give a hand to the In-house Lawyer of the Year, Auckland International Airport’s Louise Martin.
“It would have been a difficult category to judge with such outstanding finalists. We offer our congratulations to Louise, and all the finalists, on having such important work recognised in this way,” James & Wells partner Gus Hazel said.
Chisholm Clarke director and search partner Sam Lindsay lauded the crowning of Webb Henderson’s Ashton Goatley as Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (35 Or Under).
“We thought he was a great selection, has obviously impressed his peers and has accomplished some great things early in his career – a great overall choice,” Lindsay said.
Jackie Edhouse, taxation services director at sponsor Baker Tilly Staples Rodway, praised Property & Construction Specialist Law Firm of the Year award-winner TBB and said the win was “a testament to the excellent work they are doing in this highly specialised area”.
LexisNexis, which sponsored the Boutique Law Firm of the Year award, shouted out victor Webb Henderson for its “consistent excellence and dedication to providing top-tier legal advice on complex matters”.
“We enjoy a strong partnership with the firm and can see the hard work, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in their practice from a unique standpoint,” relationship account manager Lewis O’Callaghan said.
Sponsor Russell McVeagh got to present the trophy for the In-house Team of the Year category to the Fonterra legal team. According to partnership chair Ed Crook, the event’s in-house awards “recognise not only the high standard and excellence of each talented lawyer and their team but also their agility, resilience, tenacity and innovation”.
The results of the New Zealand Law Awards show just how the bright the future of the legal profession is in 2025 and beyond.
“This year’s winners highlight the dynamic and innovative nature of the legal profession in New Zealand. They show a strong commitment to excellence, adaptability and forward-thinking approaches. We believe this bodes well for the future, indicating that the legal profession will continue to evolve and thrive, embracing new opportunities for innovation, offering exciting possibilities for growth and development,” said Alana Ashe, who represented event partner LEAP Legal Software.
Clark pointed out that, overseas, the demand for New Zealand-qualified lawyers was “extremely high”.
“But we are also seeing a strong flow of talent returning home. This speaks to the strength and global recognition of our legal industry, which bodes well for its continued success and growth,” he said.
LEAP Legal Software was proud to sponsor the 2024 New Zealand Law Awards, a distinguished event presented by NZ Lawyer that celebrated the remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication of legal professionals throughout New Zealand.
The awardees embody the pinnacle of excellence within the legal industry, and we were privileged to contribute to this occasion that showcased the innovation, commitment and significant impact of the New Zealand legal community.
At LEAP, we understand the challenges that legal professionals face in an ever-evolving landscape. The future of law is upon us, driven by the power of artificial intelligence. LEAP’s integrated legal AI offers a transformative level of efficiency, enabling legal professionals to transcend the traditional billable-hour model. With our AI saving firms up to 15 hours per week, our technology empowers lawyers to dedicate more time to what truly matters: developing strategic insights, fostering strong client relationships and advancing your firm’s growth.
This year’s New Zealand Law Awards was a truly enriching experience, providing a platform to celebrate the commendable achievements of the New Zealand legal community.
We were particularly proud to sponsor the Mid-Size Law Firm of the Year award. The awardees in this category have demonstrated exceptional skill, creativity and a commitment to excellence.
Congratulations to all the 2024 award-winners!
Donna Marie Broadley
CEO
LEAP Legal Software
Sponsored by
Winners of the Financial Services In-House Team and Energy In-House Team categories have been progressed to become Excellence Awardees of In-House Team of the Year.
Winners of the Financial Services In-House Team and Energy In-House Team categories have been progressed to become Excellence Awardees of In-House Team of the Year.
Winners of the Financial Services In-House Team and Energy In-House Team categories have been progressed to become Excellence Awardees of In-House Team of the Year.
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Nominations
The legal industry was invited to nominate and provide insight into the most outstanding individuals, firms and organisations of 2024. All nominations were made via the online nomination portal on the New Zealand Law Awards website. Nominations were open from Monday 10 June to Friday 12 July 2024.
Research and selection of Excellence Awardees
The New Zealand Law Awards team reviewed the submissions and drew on industry knowledge and information gained through NZ Lawyer to identify the outstanding firms, teams, individuals and deals in each category that would receive an Excellence Award.
Confirmation of Excellence Awardees
Once the research was completed, Excellence Awardees were selected in each category and notified by email. Excellence Awardees were announced on NZ Lawyer’s website and other online channels on Thursday 5 September 2024.
Judging
The New Zealand Law Awards team provided full details of each Excellence Awardee to an independent panel of judges. The panel assessed and scored each nomination according to the set criteria.
Awards ceremony
Using a simple points system to aggregate judges’ scores, the Excellence Awardee with the highest score in each category was selected as the winner of that category. Winners were announced at the New Zealand Law Awards gala event on 28 November at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland.
