Sarah Graydon

LLB (Hons), BA

Juno Lawyer

Wellington

Sarah Graydon | Juno Legal | Lawyer

Capability

I have a particular interest in how teams operate and over my time with Juno I have worked with a number of inhouse legal teams providing advisory and coaching support.  I have worked collaboratively on the design of the legal function for a new regulator, assisted the GC of a successful FinTech start-up with a strategy to support rapid growth, supported teams to optimise structure and resources and facilitated workshops.

I have had the good fortune to work as a Juno lawyer in the legal teams at Z Energy, Trade Me and Kainga Ora, which has built on my broad range of inhouse experience spanning government and private sector. Prior to joining Juno 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 as well. I was also involved in a number of significant divestments and acquisitions.  Governance is another area of interest having worked closely with boards and taken on governance roles myself – both professional and voluntary.

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.

Juno Clients

Earthquake Commission, Sharesies, TradeMe, Z Energy, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Taumata Arowai, WorkSafe, Rabobank, Fire & Emergency, Kāinga Ora, Victoria University, ACC, New Zealand Superfund, Climate Change Commission, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, Greater Wellington Regional Council

Before Juno

New Zealand Post | Group Legal Counsel 
Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner | Senior Legal Advisor 
Orange (U.K.) | Contracts Lawyer 
Tods Murray LLP | Solicitor 
Chapman Tripp | Solicitor

Areas of expertise

  • Trade practices 
  • Privacy and OIA  
  • Commercial  
  • Corporate

Governance/Community

Licensed independent trustee
Director of four superannuation schemes

  • We are a big fan of the Juno model, and Sarah Graydon in particular. Sarah is a highly respected lawyer who headed the legal team at NZ Post meaning she brings all this experience with her. She is incredibly pragmatic, fast, intuitive and knowledgeable. We have also benefitted hugely from Sarah’s wide range of different experiences and ability to provide us with more general consultation advice (for example on some unnecessary complexity in the way we do things). This is something I think the Juno model, and Sarah in particular offers that we just can’t get from a law firm secondee. 

    Deb Blackett

    General Counsel, Z Energy

  • Sarah is fantastic.  She was very helpful [in a coaching capacity] in bringing a fresh perspective to challenges faced and helping me see solutions in a different way.  I greatly appreciated having Sarah’s insight and wisdom. 

    Name provided upon request

    Former General Counsel, Crown Entity

  • Sarah is highly capable and has a great sense of humour to boot. We found it really valuable working with Sarah and with Juno more broadly who were able to draw on multiple resources to help us plan what was required to establish the legal function for Taumata Arowai.

    Jessie Larsen

    Establishment Lead, Taumata Arowai

  • Sarah blended in seamlessly with the team, with specific skills in analysis, writing, relationship building, collaboration and project management. She helped to solve a range of legal, policy, strategy and governance issues - including briefings to the Minister and the Board.

    Tina Mitchell

    Chief Executive, Toka Tū Ake EQC

  • Sarah stepped in for six months and promptly set about getting to know the organisation, our people and our business. She brought a pragmatic, calm approach to legal queries and systems. Sarah used her skills to assist us with a range of archaeological matters. planning issues, recruitment, covenants, contracts, and providing legal opinions. She fitted well with the company culture and was always prompt with responses and professional in her role.

    Pam Bain

    Director Regional Services Kaiwhakahaere Matua ā Ratonga, Heritage New Zealand

  • Sarah provided acting General Counsel services to REA. She provided high quality legal support and leadership across a range of regulatory and operational processes, including our response to Cyclone Gabrielle impacts on the sector we regulate. She also helped to onboard a number of new team members. Sarah also brought her skills and experience to our Senior Leadership Team, providing valuable input on a range of issues. She delivered all of her work in a calm, professional and skilled manner. We appreciated Sarah's contribution and support and would welcome the opportunity to work with her again in the future.

    Belinda Moffat

    Chief Executive, Real Estate Authority

Sarah Graydon supports

If you’re ready to use your extensive in-house legal experience and wisdom to benefit businesses and achieve your own personal and professional goals, we’d love to talk.

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