Daniel Robinson, Jeremy Ansell, Sarah Fairbrother also elevated
Duncan Cotterill has announced a batch of promotions, with Lisa McKeown elevated to partner (subject to obtaining Law Society of New Zealand approval and requirements) and Daniel Robinson, Jeremy Ansell, and Sarah Fairbrother named as special counsel.
“These individuals deserve to be proud of their integral role in our clients’, and firm’s, success,” the New Zealand law firm said in a recent update. “Congratulations to our 2026 promotions!”
The firm’s announcement and the lawyers’ biographies on its website provided more information regarding those promoted.
McKeown, whom the firm aims to add to its partnership, practises from the Wellington office. As a litigator, she focuses on trust and estate claims, relationship property, separation matters, and family disputes.
She also handles matters involving professional discipline, negligence, insurance, franchise and property disputes, and other civil and commercial disputes. Her experience encompasses not only court appearances but also out-of-court dispute resolution.
As an Auckland-based litigator, Robinson deals with regulatory inquiries, investigations, and litigation in the financial services sector, including matters involving the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), the Commerce Commission, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
He acts for the FMA in proceedings it filed against companies, directors, and officers. With practice areas also spanning insolvency, restructuring, competition, and antitrust matters, he has appeared before New Zealand’s District Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal.
Based in Auckland, Ansell practises employment law. He focuses on helping medium and large employers resolve personal grievances, address staff behaviour and performance issues, and navigate restructuring processes, medical incapacity, and compliance matters.
He also handles matters involving investigations, professional discipline, health and safety, and data protection and privacy. He represents clients at mediation and before the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court.
As a Wellington-based litigation and dispute resolution lawyer, Fairbrother focuses on commercial, insurance and public law. Her experience also encompasses public law, energy, and renewables.
She has appeared before New Zealand’s Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court, as well as in arbitrations and mediations. Having garnered experience from her time in-house roles, she understands this perspective.
The firm also highlighted the following appointments:
Senior associate
Associate
Senior solicitor
Senior legal executive
