PEOPLE IN THE LAW ON THE MOVE
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Christchurch-based MDS Law has promoted Sarah Fields to associate. Sarah specialises in property law with a particular focus on retirement village transactions and compliance, commercial leasing, and residential transactions in the context of earthquake settlements. Sarah also advises on employment law matters including contract drafting, negotiation and personal grievance issues.
relationship property matters.
Andrew Brown has been appointed general counsel and company secretary at KiwiRail. Moving from Bell Gully, where he was a partner and more recently a consultant to the firm, Andrew has been involved in some of New Zealand’s significant corporate transactions, particularly in the energy sector. Nathan Speir has joined Rice Craig’s litigation department. Nathan specialises in civil litigation, dispute resolution and criminal law, including jury trials. Penny Walker has joined the firm’s family law department. Penny specialises in childcare arrangements, domestic violence issues and
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Cushla Webster has been appointed a senior associate at Rennie Cox, specialising in family law. Cushla returns to the firm after three years practising as barrister sole in this area. As well as her specialisation in family law, she has a wide range of litigation experience including civil, resource management and ACC. She is a founding member of the Collaborative Law Association of New Zealand. Annabel Dennett has joined Dennis King Law in New Plymouth. Annabel’s focus will be on commercial transactions and commercial litigation, as well as assisting with class action litigation.
Buddle Findlay has promoted two new senior associates, both based in the Wellington office. Matthew Farrington and Lara Wood are members of the firm’s corporate and commercial, and banking and finance teams. Mathew specialises in financial regulation, capital markets and securities, derivatives, and funds management. Lara specialises in capital markets and securities, funds
management, corporate governance, banking and finance advice (for lenders and borrowers) and general corporate and commercial advice. Sheryn Cook has joined Tompkins Wake as the business development manager. Sheryn has an extensive commercial background in both the domestic and international food industry, and has experience in both large corporate and in start-up business.
PEOPLE Former Duncan Cotterill chief executive Grant Bayldon is the new executive director of Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand. Mr Bayldon, who is based in Auckland, took up the role in early June. He moved from Oxfam, where he has worked for five years, initially as marketing director and more recently as operations director. Mr Bayldon moved into the not-for-profit sector in 2003 to pursue his interest in international justice and human rights. He succeeds Patrick Holmes, who led Amnesty International in this country from late 2007 to early 2012.