We’re a law firm,

Capability: I help organisations get optimal value from their legal services, effectively manage risk and achieve high performance through their in-house legal team. With more than 20 year’s experience as an in-house lawyer in New Zealand and the UK (including seven years leading the professional association for in-house lawyers) I’m passionate about the value that great lawyers create when they work inside companies. My focus is to seamlessly connect Juno lawyers into businesses and improve the strategy, design and performance of in-house legal functions.

Before Juno: In-house Lawyers Association of New Zealand, New Zealand Oil & Gas, Vector, Natural Gas Corporation, Novartis UK, Nestle UK, Electricity Corporation of New Zealand.

Writing: Co-author 2012 and 2014 Australia and New Zealand In-house Counsel Leading Practices and Benchmarking report.
Contributing author - Balancing Work and Life: a Practical Guide for Lawyers, LexisNexis, 2015

Governance/Community:
Co-Chair, In-house Counsel Worldwide establishment body
Past President – in-house Lawyers Association of New Zealand
Former Chair - Island Bay School Board
Volunteer Counsellor – Youthline New Zealand

Capability: I have extensive in house corporate experience, with a focus on financial services. Most recently I was with AMP assisting a project legal team in relation to a significant divestment and prior to this led the corporate legal team at Suncorp Group, which included working on a number of strategic divestments, joint ventures and acquisitions. I enjoy working as part of a team and delivering pragmatic, solution focused commercial advice.

Before Juno: AMP, Suncorp Group, Simpson Grierson

Capability: I believe in the power of technology to effect positive changes in legal practices. I am experienced in the legal knowledge cycle (records, document and knowledge management), client relationship management, and legal practice management systems. I design and implement systems to help lawyers be more effective. My legal practice includes ICT contracting, data protection and freedom of information, financial regulation, and derivatives, securities and other financial instruments.

I am a keen participant in NewLaw trends, including alternative service models, alternative legal sourcing, new technologies and the impacts and opportunities arising from these trends.

Before Juno: New Zealand Transport Agency, Buddle Findlay, Partners Group (UK), Companies Office, and Ministry of Economic Development.

Writing: A closely-held Companies Act for New Zealand (2007) 38 VUWLR 543.
New Zealand Securities Law Update, ALB, December 2011.
You can read my thoughts on the intersection of law and technology at www.newlaw.nz.  

Governance/Community: Miramar Rangers AFC

Capability
I have extensive commercial, regulatory and corporate experience from in-house and private practice roles in New Zealand and abroad. As Head of Legal at Summerset, I was responsible for advising the organisation on a broad range of legal and commercial issues including contracts, legislative compliance and legal process and system improvements. Across my career, I have worked on complex and high value transactions including public equity and debt fundraisings and the negotiation and contracting of multi-million dollar assets.
Having established a new in-house legal function and led the team through system and process changes, I have seen first-hand how commercially focused and pragmatic legal advice and legal function performance can positively impact an organisation’s bottom line.

Before Juno
Summerset Group, Duncan Cotterill, Russell McVeagh, Field Fisher Waterhouse (UK), Balfour Beatty plc UK), Gilbert & Tobin (Australia)

Governance/Community
Advisor to the Board of The Kindness Institute

Capability: I have experience across a broad range of commercial, regulatory and compliance matters. As Head of Legal and Regulatory at Trade Me, I led the team that advised the company on all aspects of commercial law, instructed on the acquisition of new companies, provided legal guidance on the development of new online services, consumer law, privacy and intellectual property. I also led Trade Me’s regulatory and government relations programme, where I worked closely with government agencies, officials and parliament, and was involved in legislative reviews to ensure the law could be implemented online in a practical and pragmatic way.

Before Juno: TradeMe, Ernst & Young

Governance/community:
Refugee Services Volunteer, NZ Red Cross
Deputy Chair, Outward Bound Members Council
Volunteer Lawyer, Citizens Advice Bureau

Capability: My passion is to help develop and empower strong in-house legal teams, who partner with their organisation to provide ‘can-do’ solutions that add real value. I have 20 years of legal experience in government and private practice roles, leading legal, policy and technical teams. As former General Counsel on the EQC Executive Team, I understand the importance of supporting an organisation through periods of intense change and crisis management. I have extensive experience in public & Crown Entity law, including Inquiries; litigation strategy; contracting & procurement; insurance and construction law. I have also led the development of new regulatory schemes and the overhaul of legislation in the building and local government sectors.

Before Juno: Earthquake Commission, Department of Building & Housing; Trowers & Hamlin; Wynn Williams

Governance and Community:
Voluntary Director, Board of Proprietors for St Mary’s College
Past Committee Member - In-house Lawyers Association of New Zealand

Capability: I have a broad range of inhouse experience spanning government and private sector. Most recently I headed up the legal team at New Zealand Post which advised on a diverse range of issues with a core focus on commercial, contracting, consumer and information law. In recent years, my work has had a transactional focus and included a number of significant divestments and acquisitions. Governance is another area of interest having worked closely with boards and taken on governance roles myself. Having led a legal team through times of change and challenge, I have seen the value that pragmatic, capable and commercially astute lawyers can add to an organisation.

Before Juno: New Zealand Post, Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner, Orange (U.K.), Tods Murray, Chapman Tripp

Governance and community:
Licensed independent trustee
Director of two superannuation schemes
Chair - Houghton Valley School board of trustees
Lay member of Podiatrists Board of New Zealand

Capability: I started out in private practice and have over 15 years experience working in-house. I've worked in a large corporate team and been the General Counsel of an energy/ tech start-up that scaled hugely domestically and internationally over 10 years. I would describe myself as a generalist lawyer, but I have significant areas of interest in governance, company and commercial, energy, consumer and technology law.  I was recently working in the UK for my previous employer helping to establish their UK office and client relationship as part of a large software-as-a-service contract. Having been in the UK and gained some international privacy qualifications, I also have significant privacy expertise. I love working collaboratively with people from a wide range of disciplines to get the best result for the business. 

Before Juno: Flux Federation (previously part of Powershop), Powershop, Meridian Energy, Buddle Findlay

Capability: For me, building trust in relationships is the key to great outcomes. It is not enough to be technically good; if people enjoy working with me and see me as part of their team, then I can be more effective in supporting them. I have over 25 years of experience in law and governance working at a senior level in-house and in private practice in New Zealand and overseas markets. I am a highly experienced commercial in-house lawyer with a depth of knowledge across a broad range of industries. My approach is pragmatic and commercial to ensure key outcomes are achieved and good relationships maintained along the way. I am self-motivated with a collaborative approach and excellent inter-personal skills. Working across a range of sectors including energy, banking, financial markets, telco and agriculture has enabled me to refine my strategic business knowledge, financial acumen and decision-making skills.

My career highlights to date include being Associate General Counsel at Todd Corporation with responsibility for corporate and M&A matters; Associate General Counsel for Meridian Energy leading several workstreams for the IPO; and General Counsel Corporate at NZX managing a range of acquisition activity and the governance arrangements for multiple boards.

Before Juno: Todd Corporation, Kiwibank, Meridian Energy, NZX, PGG/Wrightson, Telecom ANZ, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, Simpson Grierson, Bell Gully

Governance/Community:
Lawyer volunteer for Karori CAB; mentor for Youth Enterprise Scheme
Past Board member and Deputy Chair – Orchestra Wellington; life member and past committee member
Club Captain and Treasury
Victoria University of Wellington AFC; past committee member Victoria University Sports Clubs Association and Kelburn Park Clubs Association.

Capability: I have extensive and broad-ranging commercial experience, having practised in-house for more than 15 years both in New Zealand and London. As Senior Legal Counsel at Spark I was involved in the voluntary split of Telecom in 2011 as well as providing advice on a range of commercial and IP related matters. As the first lawyer to be appointed to Vanco plc in London I was responsible for a broad range of legal (and non-legal) matters and was able to build the practice to 4 lawyers. Most recently at Fonterra, I led the establishment of the global legal team’s first in-house legal portal designed to make legal services more accessible to the business. I enjoy working closely with the business to achieve successful, commercial outcomes.

Before Juno: Fonterra, Spark, Vanco plc, Buddle Findlay

Governance/Community: Board of Trustees Chair, Campbells Bay School

Capability: I am an experienced commercial lawyer who has worked in in-house and private practice roles across the public and private sectors. Most recently I supported the commercial/corporate and regulatory legal teams at MBIE doing a wide range of commercial, regulatory and compliance work. In my earlier career, I focused primarily on commercial property work; advising clients across a broad range of industries including property developers and investors, banks, insurance companies, supermarkets, telcos, airports, regional authorities, and central and local government.

I am adaptable and able to tackle new situations and tasks with confidence. I enjoy stripping away ambiguity and legalese from documents and advice and presenting clients with solutions they can understand.

Before Juno: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, DLA Piper, Minter Ellison (Sydney), DJ Freeman (London), Halifax Bank (London), Phillips Fox.

Governance/Community:
President, Island Bay Tennis club 
Junior Convenor, Island Bay Tennis club

Capability: I have strong corporate and commercial experience gained in private practice and in-house legal roles. During my time in British Telecom’s Major Transactions Legal Team, I drafted and negotiated complex global outsourcing agreements and guided colleagues from the wider business through the competitive bid process. With my background in software development and a strong interest in technologies, I believe there is considerable scope for technology to improve the delivery of in-house legal services. My experience researching and developing software also enables me to effectively identify how technology and process can improve internal systems.

Before Juno: The Compliance Company, British Telecom (UK), Elevator App Development (UK), Clifford Chance (UK), Tompkins Wake Lawyers.

Capability: I have wide-ranging experience in intellectual property, commercial and corporate law. After several years practising in New Zealand, I spent five years working in the United Kingdom at a major oil and gas company providing advice to the marketing and brand protection team primarily on branding, marketing and trade mark issues. My proven international experience has given me an excellent grounding in global supply chain, legal project management, corporate governance and people leadership.

I am skilled at negotiating effective agreements to reflect complicated concepts, providing practical advice to business and managing internal and external relationships including across cultures to create optimal outcomes.

Before Juno: Shell International Ltd, Baldwins Intellectual Property, Parkview Chambers.

Capability: I have over 20 years legal experience across the private and public sectors in New Zealand, Australia and the UK, working both as sole inhouse counsel and within teams primarily in the utilities, construction, health and other highly regulated industries.

During this time I have worked extensively in general commercial advisory work, commercial contracts, procurement activities, and information and risk management. For the past 7 years I was the sole inhouse lawyer for the Southern DHB providing legal services to support the operational and organisational demands of two large hospitals. Prior to this I spent 10 years working in the utility and infrastructure sectors in Sydney and London, which included the privilege of working on some of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects. Primarily this involved front end contract negotiation and the responsibility for the delivery of contracts in excess of a billion dollars.

I am a resourceful and pragmatic lawyer who gets things done.

Before Juno: Southern DHB, Leighton Holdings Limited (Aust), United Group Limited (Aust), Elexon Limited (UK), Buddle Findlay

Capability: I am experienced in a broad range of legal, commercial and corporate governance matters, particularly in telecommunications and new technology. My last role was Head of Legal/Commercial at Alcatel Lucent (now Nokia New Zealand), where I led a busy legal and commercial team and was also company secretary. At Alcatel Lucent and in earlier roles I have worked on complex and high value technology projects, including drafting, negotiating and advising upon major contracts. I enjoy supporting organisations to achieve their business objectives, manage their risks and improve their legal processes.

Before Juno: Alcatel Lucent, Simpson Grierson, Hutchison 3G UK, Kensington Swan

Governance/Community: Co-Chair, Silverstream School Fundraising Committee

Capability: I have considerable in-house legal experience in commercial, property, corporate governance and regulatory matters across the pharmaceutical, public and local government sectors. Throughout my career I have provided legal and strategic advice to executive management, staff and elected members on issues relating to commercial and property transactions, decision-making, law-making functions, legislative compliance, delegations and responsibilities relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

As an in-house lawyer, I like to work collaboratively with clients, provide pragmatic and timely advice and explore innovative ways to solve problems.

Before Juno: Auckland Council, The University of Otago, The Treasury, PHARMAC

Capability: I have extensive commercial, regulatory and corporate experience from private practice, in-house and commercial roles in New Zealand, Asia and the UK. Most recently I was with Contact Energy heading the commercial, procurement and new ventures operations in Contact’s Generation & Development business. Through my career I’ve worked on and delivered complex commercial transactions including M&A, joint venture and project developments with a focus on energy and infrastructure. My hands-on commercial experience enables me to give pragmatic, business-focussed advice.

Before Juno: Contact Energy, Chapman Tripp, Herbert Smith Freehills, Shell International, Bell Gully.

Capability: With 13 years’ experience working within in-house legal teams I have a broad commercial legal background. As Senior Legal Counsel at TelstraClear Limited I oversaw a number of changes in ownership as well as providing advice on an extensive range of contractual and compliance matters. I have held roles with responsibility for the company secretarial function, procurement contracting and marketing legal support.

I understand the value that an in-house legal team is able to provide to its client organisation, and the importance of building respectful positive relationships to enable that to happen.

Before Juno: TelstraClear Limited, DB Group Limited, Russell McVeagh

Governance/Community:
Past President of the In-House Lawyers Association of New Zealand
Secretary and founding member of the Atlantis City Water Polo and Aquatics Club, Auckland
Vice President of the Diocesan School Old Girls Association
Former Member of the Board of Governors of Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland

Capability: I have more than 25 years experience as a commercial and corporate lawyer: most recently inhouse at OMV New Zealand, but also in private practice in New Zealand and in London, and at the bar. Getting a practical result quickly and without fuss is what makes inhouse practice satisfying for me. I enjoy working inside an organisation to help it best achieve its goals. Experience and wide legal knowledge help me get up to speed quickly in diverse work areas and to think strategically. I am comfortable working on complex, high-value or strategic projects, including leading negotiations and advising on legal and regulatory risk.

Before Juno: OMV New Zealand, Barrister, MinterEllison, Watson Farley Williams, Bell Gully 

Community and Governance:
Committee, Wellington College Rowing Club

Capability: Rachael, a qualified Legal Executive, has joined the Juno team as Practice Manager to ensure the seamless connection between Juno and its clients. Rachael has experience with practice management, communications and wrangling lawyers. She has worked for a range of firms in the North and South Islands.

Community: Mainly Music Leader, volunteer work with a local Church

Capability: Evelyn has a Bachelor of Tourism Management and has 12 years event management experience, including previous work at a corporate law firm. She has joined the Juno team as an Administrator to assist with the smooth operation of the office.

Community: Evelyn has been involved with volunteer work to support homeless people and has also worked with refugees to help them settle in to Wellington.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Tourism Management