Simpson Grierson regularly represents clients in commercial, regulatory, and public law litigation, including judicial reviews. Beyond this focus, the firm’s expertise extends to financial, insurance, property class actions, and data protection matters. The practice is led by Helen Smith, who specialises in insurance conflicts. Jania Baigent is a noted team member, supporting clients with privacy and media disputes, while Sally McKechnie brings regulatory expertise to the team. Nina Blomfield focuses on financial issues. In January 2024, Nicky Hall was promoted to partner. Richard Lange and John Shackleton retired as partners in December 2023 and May 2024, with Lange staying on as a consultant within the firm. Anne Callinan left the firm in August 2023 to become Deputy Chair of the Commerce Commission.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is highly professionally skilled and resourced, extremely well led and each of the team members contributes at a high level. In addition, a key strength of the team is the size and depth.’
‘Sally McKechnie leads the team with great skill.’
Key clients
- Financial Markets Authority
- New Zealand Forest Owners Association
Work highlights
- Advised the FMA on its nearly two-year investigation following the collapse of NZX and ASX-listed CBL Corporation Limited in February 2018, and acting for the FMA in two High Court civil proceedings issued in late 2019 against the company, its former directors, and chief financial officer.
- Acting for four clients in the context of an Emissions Trading Scheme challenge to increase levies for the forestry sector.