Hargreaves’ promotion further strengthens the Firm’s already senior offering within the insurance law space. This specialist team has built a reputation amongst New Zealand and offshore insurers and their clients for providing high quality advisory, corporate and dispute resolution services.

Recently announced by NZ Lawyer as a Rising Star in its 2022 list, Hargreaves is widely acknowledged for his exceptional proficiency in defending claims against professionals, but he is arguably best known for his work defending other lawyers under their professional indemnity policies.

Hargreaves acts for both professionals and their insurers throughout the country. He frequently represents clients in the High Court, in the Law Society Lawyers Complaints Service, and industry-specific tribunals. He also frequently appears as lead counsel in Real Estate Agents’ Disciplinary Tribunal proceedings.

“Richard is one of the few lawyers around who other lawyers trust implicitly,’ says National Managing Partner Philip Maw. “Since Richard joined the Firm from England more than 10 years ago, he has carved out a career in defending other professionals with respect to claims against them. He was recently described by one lawyer client as the hairdresser who cuts other hairdressers’ hair, which is arguably the highest of compliments for a lawyer.”

Hargreaves joins partners Emily Walton and Greg Sims, and Consultant Richard Hern, in leading Wynn Williams’ Insurance team. This specialist team also includes Special Counsel Ellie Harrison and Stephanie Woods and eight other lawyers.