Sally McKechnie

Sally is a leading public law and regulatory advisor and litigator. She founded and leads our public law and government practice. She provides pragmatic and analytical advice, targeted at resolving disputes to secure the best possible client outcomes.

Sally helps both private and public clients to manage a wide range of public and administrative law and regulatory issues - including regulatory disputes, judicial review and declaratory judgment. She has particular expertise in contested matters, and in seeking and resisting urgent injunctions and interim orders.

She assists clients with participating in inquiries, government reviews and Royal Commissions and she conducts investigations for public agencies. Sally assists clients in engaging with public agencies, including the Ombudsman, Auditor General and Privacy Commissioner in terms of complaints and responding to investigations.

Sally’s pragmatic and common sense advice draws on her experience as a litigator. She has considerable trial and appellate experience and appears regularly in the High Court, Court of Appeal and before inquiries, specialist courts and tribunals. Sally also has considerable experience in the public law aspects of employment law, and appears regularly in the Employment Court.

Her clients say:

“She’s quite unique - the best lawyer I’ve worked with, bar none. She understands the politics and relationships with government and other stakeholders.”

Board member of Callaghan Innovation

Board member of Gymnastics New Zealand

Board member of Cricket Wellington

Member of the Institute of Directors, Australia

Member of the New Zealand Sports Law Association

Member of the Australia and New Zealand Education Law Association