The new special counsel moves back to New Zealand from Hong Kong, where she was a senior lawyer for a global insurance company
Rice Speir has added a special counsel.
Melissa Russell joined the litigation and dispute-resolution boutique firm on 13 January, the New Zealand Law Society said. She moved back to New Zealand from Hong Kong, where she was the associate general counsel for Allied World, a global insurance company.
Prior to Allied World, she was a special counsel and then a consultant at Meredith Connell. She is also an alumni of international firms Clyde & Co and Kennedys, as well as Morrison Kent.
The Law Society said that Russell is experienced in insurance and civil litigation and has represented international insurers and insureds. She has an interest in product liability, property, and construction claims.
Russell’s appointment comes after Rice Speir welcomed Simon Waalkens last year, expanding the firm’s partnership beyond Helen Rice and Nathan Speir. Waalkens joined the firm as a senior associate less than a year before his promotion.
