Wellington barrister Rachael Schmidt-McCleave has been appointed President of the Film and Literature Board of Review. She succeeds former President Kate Davenport QC whose term has expired.

Ms Schmidt-McCleave was admitted in 1996 and worked at Chen Palmer and Russell McVeagh before spending time in London. On her return she worked at the Crown Law Office from 2002 to 2011 and then Minter Ellison Rudd Watts before joining the independent bar in 2014.

She has extensive experience in public law and judicial review and is an AMINZ Associate.