Chief parliamentary counsel Cassie Nicholson is among the newly minted KCs
Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced this year’s cohort of King’s Counsel.
A total of 12 made the cut, including chief parliamentary counsel Cassie Nicholson. Nicholson is joined by Brian Dickey, Tiana Epati, Kevin Glover, Katie Hogan, Sarah Jerebine, Paul Keegan, Simon Ladd, Richard Marchant, Balthazar Matheson, Matthew Smith and Alan Webb.
“The standards to be appointed King’s Counsel are extremely high and I am delighted that our legal profession continues to feature such distinguished individuals. I am also pleased to note the wide variety of practice areas in which our newest silks have experience, increasing the availability of King’s Counsel in specialist fields”, Collins said in a statement.
She noted that the new KCs “have demonstrated a particular commitment to improving access to justice alongside their excellent work as advisors and litigators”.
“They all have strong links to their communities and significant instances of pro bono, legally aided and similar work”, Collins said.
Collins cited Nicholson’s work on legislation drafting in New Zealand. In addition to being chief parliamentary counsel, a role she has held since 2021, Nicholson is CEO of the Parliamentary Counsel Office.
Dickey is a criminal law specialist with significant experience in commercial regulatory prosecutions. He served an eight-year term as Auckland Crown solicitor that ran until 2023; since last year, he has spearheaded Crown negotiations with Ngāpuhi hapu and Hauraki iwi.
Epati was president of the New Zealand Law Society from 2019 to 2022. She focuses on complex regulatory and serious criminal investigations, especially appeals.
Glover is an IP litigation expert with Shortland Chambers. He taught at the University of Auckland and co-authored the books Trade Marks in Practice and Intellectual Property Law.
Hogan is a criminal law specialist who concentrates on the criminal proceeds jurisdiction. She has served as a legal consultant for the Samoan Attorney-General and once represented the Cook Islands Crown.
Civil litigator Jerebine focuses on public law and became part of Bankside Chambers in 2019. She is part of the New Zealand Bar Association Council and the Law Society’s Auckland Branch Council.
Keegan concentrates on criminal jury trial and appellate advocacy as a defence barrister. He launched New Plymouth-based Marsland Chambers in 2021 and is a current auditor of the Ministry of Justice. In addition, he sits on the Legal Aid selection and disciplinary committees.
Commercial litigator Ladd was a former Bell Gully partner who is presently the Legal Research Foundation director. He also chairs the Judicial Tribunal of Athletics New Zealand.
A criminal lawyer, Marchant has served as a Transport Accident Investigation commissioner and a Parole Board convenor. He set up Regent Chambers in 2016.
Former Russell McVeagh partner Matheson concentrates on resource management law. He joined Richmond Chambers in 2016.
Public law specialist Smith is on the legislation and design advisory committee and commenced with Thorndon Chambers in 2011. He authored the New Zealand Judicial Review Handbook.
Webb is currently with Quay Chambers. His practice focuses on resource management law. At present, he is on the Law Society and Law Association environmental law committees as well as the Bar Association advocacy committee.
Collins announced the new KC cohort last Friday September 26.
