Leading New Zealand law firm, MinterEllisonRuddWatts has welcomed 2021 by announcing 10 new internal promotions at the partner, special counsel and senior associate levels, with the two new partners being brought through in the real estate and employment practice groups.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts Chief Executive, Andrew Poole, says the promotions strengthen the firm’s market-leading capabilities and highlights the exceptional individuals within the firm.

We are delighted that our talented lawyers are progressing their careers with MinterEllisonRuddWatts and I congratulate them all on their achievement. I know each and every one of them will contribute significantly to the firm’s ongoing success through both mentorship and outstanding client service.

The two new partners are:

Holly Hill (Real Estate – Property, Wellington)

Holly is a commercial property expert and advises both public and private sector clients on their property law needs. She has a strong interest in leasing and development, a wealth of experience acting on property acquisition and divestment projects, and regularly advises clients on the application of various social and affordable housing policies and initiatives. With expertise extending to building compliance issues, property aspects of M&A transactions, and property finance transactions, Holly is valued by clients as a trusted adviser, whom she enjoys working closely with to identify commercially pragmatic solutions.

June Hardacre (Dispute Resolution – Employment, Auckland)*

June is an employment specialist who regularly advises clients across the full spectrum of employment law, both in respect of employee and industrial relations. June’s practice includes advising on health and safety, remuneration and incentives, data protection and employee privacy matters and she regularly attends mediation and Employment Relations Authority investigations for her clients. June frequently presents at external conferences, holds industry and sector training and is also a regular media commentator on employment law, health and safety, general privacy and data protection, and governance matters.

Additional promotions

The firm is also proud to announce two new special counsel, Matt Toulmin (Dispute Resolution, Auckland) and Igor Drinkovic (Corporate and Commercial, Auckland). Matt is a dispute resolution expert with a wide range of commercial litigation experience and has particular experience resolving intellectual property disputes. Igor specialises in public M&A and securities law and advises local and foreign clients on public takeovers, IPOs, public capital raisings, private placements, employee share schemes and listed company matters in general.

The firm’s six newly promoted senior associates are Yoonjung Lee (Dispute Resolution, Auckland), Hannah Jaques (Dispute Resolution, Auckland), Natalie Healy (Dispute Resolution – Employment, Auckland), Bryan Ventura (Banking and Financial Services, Auckland), Tayla Johnston (Corporate and Commercial, Auckland) and Kate Muldrew (Construction, Auckland).

Seven senior solicitors also received promotions, effective 1 January 2021. Congratulations to Emily Partridge (Dispute Resolution – Employment, Auckland), Nathalie Harrington (Corporate and Commercial, Auckland), Sarah Redding (Corporate and Commercial, Auckland), Grant de Lisle, (Construction, Auckland), Caroline Woodward (Real Estate – Environment, Auckland), Judy Chu (Banking and Financial Services, Wellington) and Abi Crawford (Real Estate – Property, Wellington).

The promotions took effect on 1 January 2021.