The new appointments gleaned experience from top firms in Australia, UK and Europe
Simpson Grierson has added two special counsel with significant international experience to its roster.
Anita Birkinshaw bolsters the firm’s commercial litigation practice, while Rob Macredie beefs up the commercial team.
Birkinshaw has worked at global firms in Paris and London. In a legal career spanning more than two decades, she has focused her practice on litigation, arbitration and mediation.
Her specialisation lies in complex dispute resolution, such as those involving contractual and tortious issues and regulatory and administrative proceedings. She has specific expertise in contentious IP matters, including trademark and copyright infringement issues as well as passing off and violations of the Fair Trading Act.
Macredie concentrates on corporate and commercial law. He is an expert in matters related to M&A, commercial contracts, corporate structuring, private equity transactions, joint venture arrangements, foreign investment regulation, corporate governance, cross-border transactions and offshore investment structures.
He has tackled issues in different sectors, such as healthcare, technology, financial services, resources and tourism. Before joining Simpson Grierson, he worked with Baker McKenzie and Herbert Smith Freehills in Australia, as well as with Ogier in the UK.
Simpson Grierson chair Anne Callinan lauded Birkinshaw and Macredie’s global experience.
“Anita and Rob are a great fit for our culture and bring with them significant overseas experience working in leading firms across Australia, UK and Europe,” Callinan said. “They exemplify the commercially savvy expertise that is a hallmark of our client service and are welcome additions to the leadership of our commercial litigation and commercial groups.”
The two new special counsel will work from Auckland.
