Offering ‘a consistently excellent service’, Bell Gully advises on all aspects of insurance law, including disputes, corporate, and regulatory matters. The firm regularly supports clients in regulatory investigations and enforcement litigation brought by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and Financial Markets Authority. The team is led by Glenn Joblin, a specialist in corporate and M&A transactions within the insurance space, as well as a veteran in regulatory and reinsurance matters. In January 2024, Sam Hiebendaal and Gabrielle Menzies were made partners. Hiebendaal is an expert in insurance litigation, including regulatory investigations, whilst Menzies handles corporate matters, with experience practicing in the UK. In march 2024, David Friar left the practice.

‘One of the best insurance law firms in NZ with great depth’, Duncan Cotterill spreads its practice across five offices throughout New Zealand. The firm regularly represents clients in disputes resolution processes relating to claims in the construction, natural disaster, product liability, and cyber security space. When necessary, the firm may also draw on its wider fields of expertise to enhance its advice. Based in Auckland, Duncan McGill focuses on professional liability claims, with further expertise in indemnity and defence matters. The ‘extremely capable’ Jonathan Scragg is experienced before arbitral tribunals and appellate courts, including the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Tanya Wood supports clients with indemnity matters.

Possessing ‘unrivalled knowledge and expertise’, Fee Langstone specialises in insurance and commercial litigation, with experience assisting domestic and international insurance clients. The firm has further expertise in the maritime and transportation fields. Led by expert indemnity analyst Philippa Fee and Craig Langstone, an experienced litigator at all levels of the New Zealand court system, the team includes Cecily Brick, who is well-versed in property and business interruption insurance matters. Pauline Davies is a marine and aviation insurance expert, while Virginia Wethey advises on policy drafting and litigation. Bradley Alcorn represents clients in regulatory defences relating to a wide range of investigations and prosecutions.

Wotton + Kearney covers the gamut of insurance law matters, from general liability to specific sectors, such as professional, product, and employment practices liability. The firm’s experience includes advisory and litigation assistance. Opening a new Christchurch office in August 2023, the firm is able to cater to clients throughout the country. The team is jointly led by Antony Holden, Sean O’Sullivan, Rebecca Scott, Joseph Fitzgerald, Sophie Lucas, Misha Heneghan, and Caroline Laband. Also of note are Mathew Francis, Peter Leman, Matthew Booth, Hugh King and Michael Cavanaugh. In August 2023, Shane Swinerd was made partner.

DLA Piper New Zealand advises clients on litigation, regulatory, corporate, and commercial matters in the insurance space. The firm is well-versed in guiding clients through regulatory investigations, as well as capital raising and corporate structuring for insurers. The team is led by Rachel Taylor, a veteran in the design of new products and compliance, and Emma Moran, an experienced litigator in the fields of insurance, construction, and life sciences. In August 2023, Daniel Street joined the team from Chapman Tripp.

The partners at Gilbert Walker ‘are amongst the best litigation lawyers in the country’, representing corporates, banks, consultancy firms, and insurers. The firm is well-versed in regulatory investigations and disputes regarding the insurance response to major natural disasters. The practice is overseen by Martin Smith, an expert in insurance litigation and mediation, and Iva Rosic, who advises on indemnity issues in professional liability and product liability settings. Zoe Brentnall, who was promoted to partner alongside Hamish McQueen in April 2024, adds corporate and commercial expertise to the teams repertoire. Matthew Harris left the practice in October 2023.

Hesketh Henry is instructed by a broad swathe of clients, including underwriters and insurers in the marine, property, and professional indemnity spaces. The firm is sought after for its wide-ranging advice, from corporate and employment to regulatory and dispute resolution. Practice co-head Helen Macfarlane specialises in construction and property disputes and is experienced in practising in London and New York. Fellow co-head Christina Bryant is well-versed in professional indemnity matters. Stephanie Corban specialises in subrogated recoveries issues. In January 2024, Alan Sherlock stepped back to a consultancy role at the firm.

Advising broking houses, insurers, intermediaries, and local insureds, MinterEllisonRuddWatts advises clients from across the New Zealand insurance market and beyond. The firm is well-versed in providing general insurance claim assistance and has specialist knowledge in the life insurance, broker negligence, indemnity, and regulatory spaces. Litigation expert Andrew Horne and Stacey Shortall, a veteran in regulatory investigations, jointly lead the practice. Nick Frith is experienced in providing insurance claim advice in the context of natural disasters.

Russell McVeagh is regularly approached by government entities and insurers for advice on property insurance claims arising out of natural disasters, with a particular focus on earthquakes. The firm also boasts expertise in regulatory changes within New Zealand, advising clients on the consequences of the country’s review on insurance contract law. Marika Eastwick-Field, who advises on professional indemnity and business interruption claims, and Nathaniel Walker, who is seasoned in contentious insurance matters, oversee the team. Emmeline Rushbrook advises life and general insurers as well as insurance product providers.

‘Skilfully led’ by expert defence counsel Helen Smith, the insurance team at Simpson Grierson support insurers, intermediaries, and insureds with any corporate, regulatory, and dispute resolution issues they may have. The firm is experienced in advising on the creation of new insurance products and is particularly skilled in providing advice in the health insurance space. Jania Baigent specialises in the cyber, health, and life insurance sectors. In January 2024, Robert Gapes left the firm for the self-employed Bar, and in May 2024, John Shackleton retired from practice.

The ‘fantastic insurance team’ at Wynn Williams specialises in professional liability, statutory liability, property insurance, and health insurance, alongside its general insurance experience. The firm’s clients include both domestic and international insurers, brokers, insureds, and Lloyd’s syndicates. Greg Simms helms the practice as an expert in arbitrations, mediations, investigations, and litigation. Richard Hern is well-versed in health and life insurance as well as professional liability issues for real estate agents and financial advisers. The ‘superb’ Richard Hargreaves adds natural disaster insurance experience to the practice.

Chapman Tripp assists insurers and brokers on compliance matters, as well as advising on insurance restructuring and M&A transactions within the sector. The firm is also well-versed in providing ADR representation to its clients, including mediation and arbitration support. Garth Gallaway focuses on investigations and prosecutions for employers, while Tim Williams is experienced in advising on insurance-related M&A transactions. Penny Sheerin and Grace Rippingale are also key names in the department.

A boutique insurance firm, Robertsons is well-versed in a wide range of insurance matters, particularly in litigation. The firm regularly advises clients in construction-related insurance claims. Michael Robertson advises international insurers and Lloyd’s syndicates on professional indemnity and general liability. Helen Twomey supports insureds and insurers through dispute resolution processes, and Tom Pasley bolsters the litigation expertise at the firm, with experience in ADR.

Wilson Harle is experienced in acting for international insurance brokers and overseas insurers and reinsurers, including Lloyd’s syndicates. The firm regularly advises on D&O insurance claims and investigations. The Auckland-based team is jointly led by Chris Browne, Ian Denton, Felicity Monteiro, and Guy Tompkins. Browne and Denton provide disputes advice, Monteiro is an expert in regulatory matters, and Tompkins regularly advises on insurance claims in the cyber and property spaces. Allison Ferguson has taken on a consultancy position at the firm as of April 2024.