L-R: Hannah Bain, Kristen Gunnell, Jeremy Upson

Board Chair Allison Arthur-Young said, “I'm thrilled to see these three incredibly talented and dedicated lawyers progress to special counsel and wish them all the best in this next stage of their careers.”

Hannah Bain – Litigation, Climate Change

Hannah leads the firm's climate change offering and is working together in a strategic alliance with climate change advisors Te Whakahaere to support clients in this increasingly important space. Hannah is based in Wellington and also experienced across a wide range of contentious matters, with particular experience in complex commercial disputes in the infrastructure, energy, banking and financial services sectors, and with regulatory investigations. Before joining Russell McVeagh in 2020, she was a Senior Associate at international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills LLP in London, where she specialised in banking litigation and dispute resolution and worked on proceedings and investigations involving financial institutions in UK.

Kristen Gunnell – Environment, Planning and Natural Resources

Kristen Gunnell has experience advising on major commercial developments and infrastructure projects, including on resource consents, land agreements and strategy. She is based in Auckland and advises clients on all aspects of the Resource Management Act and related legislation such as the Local Government Act 1974, Local Government Act 2002, Building Act 2004, Conservation Act 1987, and Public Works Act 1981. Kristen re-joined the firm in 2018 after spending 10 years as an in-house counsel in the UK.

Jeremy Upson – Litigation

Jeremy is based in Wellington and has experience spanning a wide range of commercial and public law disputes. He joined Russell McVeagh in 2019 and has significant experience advising and acting on contractual disputes, judicial review, insolvency matters including companies’ claims against directors and auditors, proceedings under the Commerce Act, property disputes, regulatory matters, confidential information, and insurance litigation including arising out of the Canterbury earthquakes.