Melissa Bell has worked exclusively as an insurance lawyer since her admission to practice in Australia in 2001. She spent six years in London working in insurance and reinsurance litigation and arbitration, including a period as in-house counsel for a Lloyd’s managing agency.

She first joined Fee Langstone’s predecessor firm in 2010 and worked on a range of litigation and complex issues arising from the Christchurch earthquakes. She then spent several years working in-house for general, life and liability insurers. She has a strong understanding of the insurance industry, and particular expertise in policy drafting, and regulatory projects. She continues to work in these areas, along with her practice in first party property, professional indemnity, life and D&O claims. She was ranked as a Leading Associate in the 2026 Asia Pacific Legal 500.

Angus Wakeman was admitted to practice in New Zealand in 2001. After working for two Auckland firms, Angus moved to London in 2005 where he practised in commercial litigation with two London firms, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and Kingsley Napley (gaining admission as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2010). On returning to New Zealand in 2014, Angus joined Fee Langstone’s predecessor firm.

Angus has a broad commercial litigation and insurance practice with extensive experience in conducting complex, high value commercial litigation and particular expertise in liability and professional indemnity claims and professional disciplinary complaints (particularly lawyers, chartered accountants, and auditors), D&O and fidelity claims.