The firm’s new year promotions and appointments include a new Partner in the firm’s Band 1 Financial Services practice, as well as six special counsel and six senior associates in banking, construction, energy, litigation, employment, public law, private wealth, corporate and commercial practices.  

The firm’s new partner is Claire Brabant (Financial Services).

Claire is a senior financial services lawyer with extensive experience advising across the sector, including investment funds, insurance, private equity, financial advice, and financial services regulation. She supports clients through regulatory reform and engagement with regulators, drawing on a career spanning senior in-house and law firm roles in New Zealand and internationally. 

She has led complex, high-profile initiatives with executive level visibility, giving her deep insight into the regulatory landscape and its impact on financial institutions.

Six Special Counsel 

MinterEllisonRuddWatts has also announced six new Special Counsel: Charlotte Carey (Banking and Restructuring and Insolvency), Daniel Fielding (Regulatory and Public Law), Elizabeth (Liz) Rowe (Corporate M&A, Retirement Village and Aged Care), Marilyn Mrkusich (Corporate M&A, Charities and Not for Profits), Natasha Hood (Construction and Energy), and Suzy McMillan (TMT, Privacy and Commercial). 

Six senior associates 

In addition, the firm has announced six new senior associates: Abbey James (Corporate TMT), Alex Bouwman (Corporate M&A), Bonnie Simmonds (Employment), Hamish Rossie (Employment), Maysie Chan (Private Wealth), and Rebecca Tasman-Jones (Litigation). 

The promotions took effect on 1 January 2026.