Global firm announces three elevations, two lateral hires in Auckland, Wellington
DLA Piper has announced three senior promotions – Nick Byrnes as Auckland-based special counsel and Mike Campbell and Tyson Hullena as Wellington-based senior associates – and two lateral hires – Jennifer Smith and Kieron Creagh as senior associates in Wellington and Auckland, respectively.
“Each of these lawyers brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for both New Zealand businesses and those that operate globally,” said Laura Scampion, DLA Piper New Zealand managing partner, in a media release.
These promotions and hires span the practice areas of financial services, employment, infrastructure, renewable energy, regulatory reform, and Māori legal matters, according to the global law firm’s media release.
“Our continued investment in outstanding talent is guided by what our clients need most – whether that is delivering major infrastructure projects, creating innovative financial products, addressing regulatory change, or managing workforce and governance risk,” Scampion said.
Byrnes belongs to the firm’s real estate, construction, and infrastructure practice. With clients such as global investors and developers, he works on all project delivery aspects in data centre, logistics, student accommodation, and renewable energy developments.
Earlier this year, NZ Lawyer honoured him as one of its Future Legal Leaders.
At DLA Piper, Campbell practises in the areas of resource management and local government law. His clients include corporates with significant landholdings and development interests.
He guides these clients through complex planning issues and litigation concerning freshwater, urban development, and forestry matters.
Hullena is a member of the firm’s dispute resolution and Māori law practice. With clients including Māori landowners and post-settlement governance entities, he handles disputes regarding tikanga Māori, Māori land, and collective ownership.
His work covers the intersection of these disputes with common law principles. He also helps clients with breach of confidence claims and risk management relating to sensitive information.
Smith recently returned to DLA Piper after some time practising as an associate at Walkers, an offshore law firm in Hong Kong, from May 2022 to March 2024, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Previously, at DLA Piper, she worked as a senior solicitor from July 2021 to May 2022, as a solicitor from December 2017 to July 2021, and as a law clerk from March 2017 to December 2017.
She helps financial market participants navigate investment schemes and product offerings in retail and wholesale markets. She also tackles fund formation, restructuring, and governance matters relating to Cayman investment vehicles, private equity, and hedge funds.
Creagh has joined the firm’s employment practice. She previously served as a senior associate at Russell McVeagh from March 2023 to February 2025, according to her LinkedIn page. In 2022, while she was working at EY Law, NZ Lawyer named her one of its Rising Stars.
Admitted to practise in Australia as well as New Zealand, she has worked across both jurisdictions and brings trans-Tasman knowledge to DLA Piper.
With a wide-ranging clientele, she addresses matters involving restructures, dispute resolution, minimum entitlement compliance, and health and safety obligations.
In its media release, DLA Piper shared that it also promoted Michael Fitzpatrick-Cockram to a Wellington-based associate as of 1 July, as well as welcomed Anne Hewson, Paul Park, and Jacob Smith to its finance, corporate, and litigation/regulatory groups in Auckland.
