Kierra Parker re-joins the firm as a senior associate
Resource management specialist Kierra Parker has returned to DLA Piper New Zealand as a senior associate following a stint in Melbourne.
Parker worked with the firm for three years before relocating to Australia to pursue a Masters in Environmental Law. Her practice focuses on litigation in resource management, and she has represented local government bodies in court.
An interest in sustainability and in culture and heritage spurred Parker’s transition to environmental law.
“I came from a culture and heritage background originally. I did a Bachelor of Arts alongside my law degree focusing on archaeology and history, and the job I got straight out of university was working as in-house counsel for Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga,” she said.
Parker highlighted DLA Piper’s leadership as a draw for her.
“The thing I like most about the firm is its leadership. It has an outstanding record of bringing women through to the top ranks, and its hierarchy is less rigid and more flexible than in some other law firms. They don’t try and fit you into a box,” she said.
Joining Parker as a new senior associate is banking and finance expert Jacob Nutt, who will be operating from the Auckland office. He has handled all aspects of transactional and regulatory banking and financial services law.
He has in-house experience as well, having completed secondments to a leading bank and a consumer finance provider. He was recognised by the Legal 500 Asia Pacific as a Rising Star in New Zealand’s banking and finance field.
“I like working in the fast-paced environment of deal structuring and execution. I enjoy building enduring client relationships, and I am excited to become a trusted adviser to clients of DLA Piper,” Nutt said. “I’ve found DLA Piper to be an instantly collegial and supportive environment and I love the global reach of the firm and the unique possibilities that opens up for me.”
