Ranking tables
Public Law | Asia-Pacific
New Zealand
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
- MinterEllisonRuddWatts 14 Years Ranked
- Simpson Grierson 14 Years Ranked
- Bell Gully
- Buddle Findlay
Band 2
Band 3
- DLA Piper New Zealand 6 Years Ranked
- Meredith Connell
- Wilson Harle
Senior Statespeople
- Jonathan Salter Simpson Grierson12 Years Ranked
- Alastair HercusBuddle Findlay
- Tony DellowBuddle Findlay
Band 1
Band 2
- Craig Shrive Russell McVeagh14 Years Ranked
- Rachael BrownBell Gully
Band 3
- Briony Davies MinterEllisonRuddWatts4 Years Ranked
- Emma Moran DLA Piper New Zealand5 Years Ranked
- Hayden Wilson Dentons New Zealand7 Years Ranked
- Megan Richards MinterEllisonRuddWatts15 Years Ranked
- Angela HarfordBell Gully
- Chris BrowneWilson Harle
Band 4
- Linda Clark Dentons New Zealand2 Years Ranked
- Sarah Salmond MinterEllisonRuddWatts2 Years Ranked
- Stephen FranksFranks & Ogilvie
Up and Coming
- Kirsty DobbsBell Gully
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 MinterEllisonRuddWattsPublic Law2025 | Band 1 | 14 Years RankedMinterEllisonRuddWatts' substantial, multidisciplinary public law team maintains an impressive breadth of expertise, advising on challenging regulatory matters, legislative reviews and the drafting of bills. The firm is noted for its strength in public sector procurement mandates and advises public sector boards, regulators and private clients in regulated industries on joint venture projects. The practice has involvement in high-profile public law issues, such as tax incentive loan schemes and resource management reforms.
1 Simpson GriersonPublic Law2025 | Band 1 | 14 Years RankedSimpson Grierson fields a versatile team that can address the full range of issues faced by public sector bodies at all levels but is particularly well-known for its unrivalled profile in the local government space. The firm maintains a national presence advising city and regional councils across New Zealand, with offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The team has substantial expertise in the Resource Management Act and funding mechanism matters for key areas such as housing, health and utilities. The practice is highly proficient in legislation, infrastructure and governance matters.
Band 2
2 Dentons New ZealandPublic Law2025 | Band 2 | 3 Years RankedDentons New Zealand is well regarded for its public law offering, with experience covering the public sector, Crown entities, local authorities and councils, as well as the private sector clients and individuals who engage with these. The firm has particular expertise in handling disputes, compliance issues, judicial review and investigations.
2 Russell McVeaghPublic Law2025 | Band 2 | 14 Years RankedThe Russell McVeagh team members act as trusted advisers to private and public sector clients on public law issues, providing a notable depth of knowledge in key infrastructure projects, as well as assisting with legislative and regulatory changes. The firm maintains strong relationships with both government ministries and major players in the energy and aviation sectors. The team often advises companies in regulated industries on their negotiations with government authorities concerning pricing. In addition, the practice boasts expertise in assisting corporations to adapt and respond to legislative changes and regulatory reforms, including through government lobbying and judicial reviews.
Band 3
3 DLA Piper New ZealandPublic Law2025 | Band 3 | 6 Years RankedThe DLA Piper New Zealand team is particularly noted for its experience acting for local government bodies across the country on both contentious and advisory matters. The team possesses strong expertise across a range of regulatory mandates, often involving privacy and information law issues. In addition, the practice handles governance and compliance issues, as well as judicial reviews and declaratory judgment proceedings.