Duncan Cotterill has appointed three partners in its rapidly expanding Auckland office.
“We have appointed new staff in areas where we are seeing increased demand from our clients and promoted staff internally who have demonstrated outstanding performance and potential,” Auckland partner Raewyn Lovett told
NZ Lawyer.
Jessie Lapthorne, Kirsty McDonald and Simon Munday bring the Auckland partnership to 14, promoted in the employment health and safety and property practice areas.
“Our corporate, commercial, insurance, retail, property and employment practices have all undergone significant growth, adding valuable depth and diversity to the Auckland firm,” Lovett said of the appointments.
“Our Auckland office has grown strongly over the past 18 months as we have enhanced the range of services and expertise available to our clients.”
Lapthorne is an employment health and safety specialist. She returned to Duncan Cotterill in 2013 after a stint in London as an employment lawyer. Her expertise spans the full spectrum of workplace law, from guidance to dispute resolution and advocacy.
McDonald is also an employment law specialist and joined the firm in 2010 after she spent four years working in the Middle East. She has represented a number of clients in the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court and regularly acts for clients facing prosecution in the health and safety space.
Munday, who joined the firm from
Buddle Findlay earlier this year, specialises in commercial property and real estate finance. He has experience acting for major banks on major transactions and has worked with developers on large scale residential and commercial property projects.
“We’re delighted to have such exceptional talent coming through our ranks,” Lovett said.
“We are fortunate to have such quality practitioners joining the partnership, bringing their passion and enthusiasm as leaders to the firm.
“These well-deserved promotions add to the strength and depth of the firm and recognise their significant contribution to the business to-date.”
