MinterEllisonRuddWatts has promoted six lawyers into senior positions and also promoted seven senior solicitors. All are effective from 1 January 2019.
Sonya Forbes has been promoted to Special Counsel, Corporate, Auckland. Sonya joined the firm in 2017 as a Senior Associate in the firm’s corporate technology team. She is a highly experienced practitioner, having worked in both private practice and in-house roles in New Zealand and London.
Tanya Wood has been promoted to Special Counsel, Construction, Auckland. She joined the firm in 2016 and specialises in construction litigation with particular expertise in property based insurance claims and dispute resolution. Tanya has also worked in-house for Vero Insurance where she helped resolve complex losses arising from the Christchurch earthquakes.
Olivia de Pont has been promoted to Senior Associate, Dispute Resolution, Auckland. Olivia joined the firm as a Senior Solicitor in 2017 from another large law firm. Olivia has particular expertise in insurance law, and has represented a number of major insurers and insureds on disputes relating to house insurance policies.
Alastair Gatt has been promoted to Senior Associate, Real Estate and Property, Auckland. Alastair joined the team as a Senior Solicitor in late 2015 having worked in private practice and in-house legal roles for a number of years in Scotland before moving to New Zealand.
Suzy McMillan has been promoted to Senior Associate, Corporate, Auckland. She joined the firm in 2016 on her return to New Zealand in 2016. She has a mix of in-house and public sector experience in both New Zealand and the UK. Along with Suzy’s general commercial skills, she has made an important contribution to the firm in the specialty area of privacy.
Sarah Moore has been promoted to Senior Associate, Dispute Resolution, Auckland. With a background in private practice in Melbourne, Sarah joined the firm in late 2017. She advises clients on all property and financial matters arising from separation including claims under the Property (Relationships) Act 1976, trust claims and spousal maintenance.
The firm has also promoted seven senior solicitors: Phillip Chrisp (Corporate, Auckland), Jonothan Embling (Dispute Resolution, Auckland), Joshua Kimpton (Employment, Auckland), David Kraitzick (Dispute Resolution, Auckland), Kate Muldrew (Construction, Auckland), Shukti Mokkapati Sharma (Construction, Auckland), and Rachael Watene (Corporate, Auckland).