The elevations took effect earlier this month
MinterEllisonRuddWatts has promoted a new partner and four new senior associates in its mid-year senior appointments round.
Hannah Jaques joins the partnership on the litigation and dispute resolution team, while David Hebenton, Holly-Marie Rearic, Oliver Sutton and St John Howard-Brown beef up the roster of senior associates. They stepped into their new roles on 1 July.
Jaques is based in Wellington and has represented plaintiffs and defendants in high-value, complex litigation before the High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as in arbitration. She focuses on commercial litigation and is an expert in insurance, banking and financial, and contractual disputes.
She has settled matters in mediation and has provided advice on regulatory matters and commercial contracts. She has tackled disputes over material damage and business interruption claims, professional indemnity, marine insurance and carriers’ liability insurance; she has also assisted with debt recovery and enforcement matters.
Jaques’ client list has included insurers, brokers, insureds (both independently and on instruction from insurers) and financial institutions. She has also appeared in defamation proceedings.
Her ascension to partner is subject to the fulfilment of Law Society requirements.
Meanwhile, Howard-Brown is also with the litigation and dispute resolution team in Wellington. He has worked on significant commercial disputes like those involving Taharoa, BT Mining, and Bathurst.
Hebenton is part of the construction and infrastructure team in Auckland. He concentrates on construction-related disputes and represents both public and private sector clients. He has handled all forms of dispute resolution, including adjudication and arbitration, and has appeared before the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Rearic is on the environment team in Auckland and tackles matters involving emissions trading, hazardous substances, and prosecutions. Sutton is with the litigation and dispute resolution team in Auckland; he focuses on construction, IT, insolvency, and banking litigation.
“To be successful in a competitive legal services market, it is essential to invest in people at all stages of their careers”, MinterEllisonRuddWatts chief executive Andrew Poole said. “It is always great to see our talented lawyers moving up, and their commitment to our firm and passion for providing excellent advice and service to our clients is invaluable”.
