The disputes resolution lawyer received the nod for her work in the government and management sectors
A MinterEllisonRuddWatts partner has been named a finalist in the Women of Influence Awards, which celebrates women in New Zealand who have made an impact.
Stacey Shortall is a partner on the firm’s dispute resolution and litigation team. Over a legal career spanning more than two decades, she has received recognition for her work not just in New Zealand, but in New York as well.
She has advised clients in the corporate world and in the public sector, including directors, officers and in-house counsel. She has acted in major disputes, and has appeared in many trials and appeals proceedings.
Shortall joined the Māori law team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts when it was known as Rudd Watts & Stone in her early years as a lawyer, focusing on Waitangi Tribunal claims and commercial litigation matters. She then went on to practise as a litigator in New York for 10 years, specialising in complex financial, commercial and environmental issues. She also engaged in community-based work.
She returned to New Zealand and to MinterEllisonRuddWatts in 2010.
Outside of the legal space, Shortall founded the charitable trust Who Did You Help Today, as well as the online forum Our Words Matter, which facilitates the sharing of ideas to address issues affecting New Zealand. She was also a semi-finalist for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Award in 2019 and 2020; in March, she was named “Social Mobility Lawyer of the Year” at the first-ever Chambers Diversity and Inclusion Awards: Asia-Pacific 2020 for her pro bono efforts.
At the Women of Influence Awards, Shortall is a finalist in the Board and Management category.
“Stacey is an inspiration. While she is an excellent lawyer, what sets her apart is her drive to make a positive difference wherever she can. Her generosity within our firm and the wider community is incredible,” MinterEllisonRuddWatts chief executive Andrew Poole said. “All the finalists are women going out of their way to improve the lives of others by tackling significant issues. We are delighted that amongst this group of leaders Stacey was selected as a finalist this year for her work in the governance and management space.”
The Women of Influence Awards named a total of 81 finalists across 10 categories, with winners being announced in November.
