MinterEllisonRuddWatts

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Partner

Aaron represents clients in litigation, investigations, and strategic risk management, across a range of areas. He has particular expertise in trial and appellate advocacy, white collar criminal and regulatory matters, employment law/health and safety, and in sport.

Aaron is an experienced advocate, having represented clients in the District and High Courts, Employment Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, along with numerous tribunals. He has worked in conjunction with overseas counsel to represent clients in cross-border investigations and before offshore courts and tribunals.

Aaron has significant experience in white-collar criminal and regulatory affairs. He has represented clients in investigations and litigation progressed by a range of regulatory agencies, including the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), New Zealand Customs, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), and the Commerce Commission. Aaron regularly advises New Zealand corporates on organisational integrity matters, including compliance with domestic and international anti-bribery and corruption legislation. He has acted as part of cross-border legal teams for New Zealand-based clients facing prosecutions offshore by the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) and the London Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard).

As a member of our broader Employment and Health and Safety team, Aaron assists clients with personal grievances, industrial disputes, contract negotiations and drafting, ACC and health-related matters, employee misconduct, and occupational health and safety. He has advised on several significant restructuring and redundancy projects for private and government sector clients. He also advises on immigration, privacy, confidentiality, and data protection obligations.

An internationally recognised sports law expert, Aaron is at the forefront of litigation, and risk management, on a range of integrity-related topics in sport. Aaron’s advice covers anti-doping, medical welfare (including concussion), gambling and match-fixing, financial integrity, and on-field and off-field conduct.