Australia and NZ's leading legal leaders recognised

28 inspiring individuals helped spur the profession on to new heights

Australia and NZ's leading legal leaders recognised

Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer have unveiled 2025’s Law Firm Leaders of the Year.

These leaders helped steer their organisations through the rise of AI, navigated pay gaps, and helped bring top talent into their firms. Among these is Caroline Rieger, who helms New Zealand’s Black Door Law. Under her leadership, the Wellington firm recorded significant revenue growth and expanded its roster.

Bill Papastergiadis OAM has led Moray & Agnew’s Melbourne office since 2007 and been instrumental in its evolution from an insurance law firm to one that provides advice on several practice areas, including government. Leigh Davidson focuses on treatment, rehabilitation and care for his clients, and his leadership style has led to success for his firm Advantage Legal.

Mitchell Zadow took on the leadership mantle at a critical year – 2020. Since then, he has grown Sharrock Pitman Legal significantly by cultivating a collaborative work environment and being open to new technology. Denham Bramwell Lawyers’ general manager Devika Kumar stepped up after a partner was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and has since brought the firm to a place of commercial growth with a leadership style that displayed empathy and resilience.

To find who the other 23 standout leaders are, click here for the full list of winners.