Bell Gully has formally announced the appointment of three new partners and four new senior associates. The partners are two commercial litigators, Rachael Brown and
Sophie East, along with tax specialist Jarrod Walker.
“The addition of Sophie, Rachael and Jarrod as partners further strengthens our already leading litigation and tax practices,” says Bell Gully chairman, Roger Partridge. “Our four new senior associates further enhance our senior legal teams across the firm.”
Rachael Brown is an experienced litigator with expertise in a broad range of areas. She specialises in public law, Maori legal issues and all aspects of employment law, including health and safety issues. The firm says Brown “builds strong relationships with clients” and is a trusted advisor to organisations in both the public and private sector, together with a number of iwi.
Sophie East has extensive litigation experience in both New Zealand and the US. She joined Bell Gully's litigation team in 2009 after four years as an associate in the New York office of White & Case LLP. East has particular expertise acting for corporate clients in commercial litigation and arbitration, including complex contractual disputes and disputes involving company and securities law.
Jarrod Walker is part of Bell Gully’s national tax team. He advises on all aspects of corporate tax for financial institutions and public and private companies including their transactional work. Prior to joining Bell Gully, Jarrod spent eight years at Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy where he advised a wide range of global financial institutions.
Bell Gully's four new senior associates include: Kirsty Dobbs, Paula Ormandy, Campbell Pentney and Jane Standage.
Kirsty Dobbs is an experienced litigator and advises many of Bell Gully's key clients across a broad range of areas including construction, oil and gas, public law and intellectual property. During 2012, Dobbs spent time at the UK Bar on a Pegasus Scholarship.
Paula Ormandy is a commercial property specialist who also has particular strength advising clients on significant New Zealand infrastructure, roading and construction projects. Her experience includes advising on the Auckland railway electrification project and on construction contracts and procurement processes surrounding the rebuild of Christchurch.
Campbell Pentney is an indirect tax specialist and has been a member of the Bell Gully tax team since 2004. He advises on the GST aspects of a broad range of transactions and has been involved in obtaining a number of the GST rulings on behalf of clients. In the Customs context, Pentney is experienced in the field of customs valuation, tariff classification, rules of origin and excise duties.
Jane Standage is an experienced litigator and joins Bell Gully after two years as an associate in the London office of Allen & Overy. She began her career in New Zealand first as a Judge's Clerk to the Honourable Justice Susan Glazebrook, then as a barrister in Thorndon Chambers in Wellington.
Bell Gully's announcement is the latest in a steady stream of high-level appointments. Last week, Kensington Swan appointed former TVNZ political editor,
Linda Clark, as a consultant, along with four new senior associates and three associate
appointments.
Simpson Grierson also recently appointed eight new
senior associates, while
Chapman Tripp has today announced the appointment of
five new senior solicitors.
