Janine Stewart energised to take up opportunities, navigate challenges during her time at the helm
This article is produced in partnership with MinterEllisonRuddWatts NZ
MinterEllisonRuddWatts is pleased to announce that Janine Stewart, current board member and a senior partner in the firm's construction and infrastructure division, has been elected chair of the firm effective 1 June 2025.
"I am energised to take on this role and to have the support of the firm in doing so,” said Stewart upon election, adding that she’s looking forward to working with Chief Executive Andrew Poole, the board, and all MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ partners in driving the firm forward.
“We’re well positioned to take up the opportunities, and navigate the challenges, in a changing legal landscape,” Stewart adds. “Having cemented ourselves as a leader amongst New Zealand’s top tier law firms, we will continue working to help shape New Zealand’s future including by ensuring that our work aligns with our clients’ wider business objectives and providing our clients with commercially astute advice and excellent service every day.”
MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ people are key to achieving that vision, and the firm’s success is built on the team it creates.
“One of our key objectives is to continue to protect and enhance our culture, that sets us apart in the market, to attract and retain exceptional clients and people,” Stewart says
She also took the opportunity to thank Sarah Sinclair for her fantastic job as chair over the past 6 years – the maximum term for the firm, noting that the firm is much stronger, more successful, and well positioned for the next phase of growth thanks to Sinclair’s leadership.
Sinclair remains committed to the success of MinterEllisonRuddWatts and will continue to lead the firm’s infrastructure team, advising clients across the construction and infrastructure sectors as one of the country’s top specialists. She has “every confidence” in her successor, calling Stewart “a remarkable lawyer with the demonstrated ability to tackle key leadership and governance issues.”
She looks forward to supporting Stewart in her new role.
“It has been a tremendous privilege to chair the firm and I am extremely proud of our partnership and people. I am now looking forward to continuing to lead our infrastructure practice and contribute more broadly to this sector that I am deeply passionate about – infrastructure strategy, investment and leadership is critical for New Zealand’s future prosperity.”
Stewart takes on the role of Chair in addition to her existing construction and infrastructure disputes practice and following her term as division lead from 2018-2024. Her initial term is for two years.
