Brookfields Lawyers celebrate highs of 2020
The last 12 months have been challenging for New Zealand as a whole, and it’s been no exception for Brookfields Lawyers. The adjustment to large-scale work from home arrangements and the delays experienced by the court system have all contributed to strain among the wider legal system. It’s presented some frustrating scenarios – but Andrew Green, Chairman of the Brookfields Board, isn’t one to dwell on the negative.
“It’s always important to celebrate the highs, but especially during difficult times,” says Green. “There’s always wins, and it’s important to give them the attention they deserve. We’re in this together.”
Green points to three recent promotions as key causes for celebration for the firm.
“We’ve been thrilled to be both developing and promoting lawyers internally and by way of external recruitment,” explains Green.
Glyn Hughes joined the Litigation & Employment team in 2019, specialising in litigation and working primarily to resolve commercial and professional liability disputes. Starting his career as a Crown Prosecutor and Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act specialist, and then gaining further experience at a specialist insurance litigation firm in Auckland, Glyn has further expanded his practice since arriving at Brookfields.
“My role is as much a team job as an individual one, and relies on the excellent internal processes, communication, technology and team management at Brookfields,” says Hughes.
As well as trying to deliver good work personally, Hughes also hopes to help wherever possible to further develop technology, knowledge, and the culture of the firm.
“I want to help Brookfields take these opportunities, while also helping as best I can to navigate the challenges of this period for its clients,” says Hughes.
Rowan Ashton
Deborah Riley
Glyn Hughes
January 2020 saw the promotion of Rowan Ashton to Senior Associate. Originally joining Brookfields in March 2019 as a Senior Solicitor, Ashton specialises in environmental and public law. After graduating from Auckland University, he gained valuable litigation experience at a barristers’ chambers, also specialising in environmental and public law.
“The experience of the COVID lockdowns has highlighted the opportunities to adopt new ways to work, both internally and with our clients,” says Ashton. “I think this is a very exciting time for the legal profession to continue to adapt its approach to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.”
For the resource management and local government law area in particular, he notes, it is also a time with a high degree of change in terms of legislative and institutional reform.
“These reforms present threats and opportunities to our clients and I look forward to assisting them in contributing to these reforms and adapting to the outcomes,” says Ashton.
A number of months later, in July 2020, Deborah Riley was promoted to Special Counsel. Originally joining Brookfields in 2012, and then returning in 2019 as a Senior Associate, Riley has spent time working with the former Auckland City Council Planning and Regulatory Services Team, as well as the UK.
“Becoming Special Counsel provides me with a platform that reflects the expertise I have established through my work as a specialist resource management and public lawyer at Brookfields,” says Riley. “My passion is to support local government at the coal-face, where demands are often fast-paced and complex. This new role helps me develop my practice in assisting our clients on their processes and District Plans, in a confident, hands-on, and outcome-focused way.”
For his own part, Green is swift to note that Brookfields’ staff are “its most important resource”.
“Deborah, Rowan, and Glynn are outstanding lawyers who provide exceptional advice and support to our wide-ranging client base,” says Green. “They thrive in our collegial culture and have exciting futures with Brookfields.”
