Lawyers across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch took on new roles
Wotton + Kearney has promoted four lawyers across its Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch offices.
James Dymock (Auckland) made partner this year. He is a dispute resolution specialist focusing on the insurance and reinsurance sectors.
He has mainly defended professionals in civil and disciplinary proceedings; his clients include lawyers, accountants, construction professionals, surveyors, valuers, insurance brokers, financial advisers, and property professionals. He has also represented insurers in property damage claims under general liability, product liability, and contract work policies; he has also undertaken recoveries for insurers.
Dymock has experience with international arbitration, both ad hoc and under rules like UNCITRAL.
2020 NZ Lawyer Rising Star Matthew Booth (Wellington) was elevated to special counsel. He has represented insurers and their clients on material damage, business interruption, general liability, professional indemnity, and statutory liability matters.
He has also tackled complex issues arising from the defective repair of homes damaged by the Christchurch earthquakes, such as insurer responsibility for damage and recovery against builders, contractors, and project managers. He has appeared in the District Court, High Court and the Canterbury Earthquake Insurance Tribunal, as well as mediations and judicial settlement conferences.
Caitlin Barclay (Wellington) rises to the role of senior associate. She concentrates on issues involving professional negligence, product liability, and subrogated recoveries.
She has defended professionals before the Real Estate Authority, Solicitors’ Standards Committees, and the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
Liberty Wells (Christchurch) has been promoted to associate. She is part of the financial lines team, helping senior lawyers and partners in matters involving medico-legal, regulatory and statutory compliance, cyber, privacy, and data protection.
She has advised on liability concerns, has reviewed policies and procedures, and has assessed litigation risk through research. Her practice concentrates on dispute resolution, and she has gleaned experience in alternative dispute resolution processes such as mediation and arbitration.
The promotions of Booth, Barclay and Wells took effect on 1 July.
