Anthony Harper bolsters teams with laterals and promotions

The firm recruits five and promotes two

By Sol Dolor

Anthony Harper has bolstered several of its specialist teams with new lateral appointments and promotions.

Malcolm Hurley, Anthony Harper’s managing partner, said that the firm is growing fast.

“With the addition this year of new practice areas in Intellectual Property, Financial Services and Tax, we have 25 specialities where we have real in-depth expertise. Our new team members are welcome additions and serve to strengthen our capabilities whilst providing the pragmatic, marketing leading advice our clients value,” he said.

The firm has welcomed Ginny Coubrough and Gwen Drewitt as senior associates, Marnie Blank as associate, and Helen Chen and Kate Vilsbaek as solicitors.

Anthony Harper has also promoted Luana Nickles to special counsel and Marin Surgenor to associate.

Coubrough, who joined the firm’s retirement villages team from Vista Group in Auckland, has extensive corporate, commercial, and regulatory experience.

Drewitt, who moved to the firm’s employment team from Lane Neave, has particular expertise in restructurings, disciplinary proceedings, grievances and performance processes, negotiating exits and health and safety.

Blank, who is a trust and asset protection specialist, has extensive experience in property, commercial and family law. She joined the firm’s trust and asset planning team from MacDonald Lewis Law.

Chen, who was a solicitor at Baldwins Intellectual Property, advises on corporate and commercial matters including M&As, divestments, capital raising and commercial contracts.

Vilsbaek moved to New Zealand and to Anthony Harper’s litigation team from Russell-Cooke Solicitors in London.

Of Te Whakatohea and Ngai Tai descent and a fluent speaker of Te Roa, Nickles has particular expertise in industrial relations, health and safety, employment litigation and discrimination law. She joined the firm in 2017 as a senior associate.

Surgenor joined the firm in 2016 and has been working closely with partner Sylvia Cheah on high-value property matters.