She will replace Pip Muir, who has chaired the law firm since 2023
Simpson Grierson has announced Jania Baigent, a litigation partner at the firm since 2013 and a member of its board for over a decade, as the next chair of its board, effective 1 January 2027.
“Jania’s appointment signals another significant step for Simpson Grierson,” said Andrew Harkness, managing partner, in a news release. “As a firm leader, she has a deep understanding of our people, culture and clients, and a clear sense of how we can build on those strengths for the future.”
“Alongside Andrew and our Management Team, I’m looking forward to building on the strengths that set our firm apart,” Baigent added.
Baigent expressed her honour at the partnership's selection of her for this leadership role.
“The Board’s job is to make sure we keep investing in our people and the expertise our clients rely on as their businesses grow,” Baigent said.
In 2027, Baigent will replace Pip Muir, who has chaired the firm since 2023.
“Simpson Grierson is in great shape and well positioned for the future, and that is a real credit to Pip and the kaitiakitanga she has shown,” Baigent said in the news release.
“Pip has served the firm with distinction as Chair over the past three years, providing strong and thoughtful stewardship of the Board,” Harkness added. “We are enormously grateful for her contribution and look forward to continuing to benefit from her leadership through to the end of her term.”
According to the firm’s news release, Baigent has focused her litigation practice on privacy, media, technology, and product liability disputes. She frequently handles urgent and cross-border matters.
According to a deals roundup on 21 October 2026, Simpson Grierson was among the law firms involved in recently announced transactions across New Zealand.
Simpson Grierson’s recently released “Expanding Horizons” 2026 M&A report revealed New Zealand as the Asia-Pacific region’s most attractive market in terms of ease of doing business and quality of investment opportunities for the third consecutive year.
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