Alissa Bell takes the reins from John Woolley, who led the firm for almost 50 years
McVeagh Fleming has elected Alissa Bell as its new chair, taking over from John Woolley.
Bell has been with the firm since 2011.
“Alissa’s appointment signifies a new chapter for McVeagh Fleming, blending a legacy of excellence with a fresh perspective. Her appointment underscores the firm's commitment to nurturing talent, and with the backing of our experienced team she will strengthen our unwavering commitment to our clients and communities and McVeagh Fleming’s progressive approach to legal services”, Woolley said.
Bell said that she was looking forward to implementing her vision for McVeagh Fleming while honouring Woolley’s contributions.
“McVeagh Fleming has experienced strong growth over the past five years, resulting in the establishment of a new office in Manukau, alongside our Auckland City and North Harbour locations”, she said. “Our vision is to employ 160 professionals across various fields by 2027 as part of our commitment to provide our clients with a comprehensive full-service approach”.
One thing Bell seeks to build on is urging McVeagh Fleming staff to give back.
“Volunteering and giving back has always been something that I have been drawn to and it’s a calling we encourage our people to embrace, such as providing pro bono services or legal aid services to those who cannot afford legal representation, and hosting free seminars and webinars”, she explained. “This is especially important during times of financial strain as having access to legal advice before making decisions that could have far reaching implications for individuals or businesses is critical”.
Outgoing chair Woolley will stay with McVeagh Fleming as a consultant. He was chair for almost 50 years.
