Head of Litigation
Martelli McKegg
Jacque has been practicing for 17 years and is a leading senior commercial litigator routinely appearing in the High Court and superior courts. Jacque joined the Martelli McKegg partnership in June 2019 having been a litigation partner at Lowndes (3 years) and Grove Darlow & Partners (8 years). Jacque has acted on a wide range of commercial, civil and criminal cases for a diverse range of clients and has been recognised and ranked as a leading lawyer in restructuring and insolvency. Prior to moving into civil litigation in January 2008, Jacque was a criminal lawyer including at the Public Defence Service.
In Jacque’s role as Vice-President on the NZLS Board, Jacque represents Auckland which makes up nearly half of New Zealand’s legal profession and has just completed nearly a decade as Chairperson of Auckland Community Law Centre. During that time Jacque led the organisation through significant change including changing the name and location of the organisation, securing ongoing funding and developing a pro bono clearing house pilot that has been endorsed by the NZLS, NZ Bar Association, obtained government funding and been established as “Te Ao Ture”. Jacque was recognised for her role as Chairperson as an Emerging Leader finalist in the Women on Boards Awards in 2018 along with the Board of ACLC winning the main category of the awards for Governance Organisation of the Year against large commercial law firms and corporates. Jacque’s other voluntary work within the law profession include as a member of the NZLS CLE Litigation Skills Faculty and adjunct Lecturer at College of Law. Jacque is regularly called upon to present at seminars and conferences.
Jacque is deeply committed to promoting proper representation and opportunities particularly for women and diversity within the law profession. Leading by example, Jacque has been the first female partner in two law firms, the first female appointed to the industry board for restructuring and insolvency, RITANZ and was a founding co-Chair of successful and (now) national interest group, Women in Restructuring and Insolvency (WIRI). In December 2020 WIRI recognised Jacque as a leading legal advisor in the sector stating “Jacque is an active advocate for women in the legal and restructuring sectors, promoting and encouraging diversity”.
Jacque works with a range of senior Barristers and Queen's Counsel including in cross-border litigation.
