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in large firms in Wellington and London, and at Izard Weston where he was a partner for 10 years. His focus is civil, commercial and regulatory litigation, dispute resolution and advisory work.
Echo Haronga joins Guardian Chambers E c h o H a ro n g a h a s joined Auckland’s Guardian Chambers as a criminal barrister. She has experience prosecuting and has gained considerable exposure as a criminal defence barrister since joining the independent bar two years ago. Echo has experience in representing clients in the summary jurisdiction and also advising and representing those facing serious criminal offences.
Young Hunter appoints Simon Graham to partnership Christchurch firm Young Hunter has appointed Simon Graham as a partner from 1 April. Simon moved to New Zealand
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from Ireland after working with the Chief State Solicitor’s Office in Dublin. He joined Young Hunter in 2008 and was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court in February 2009. Simon specialises in immigration and deportation appeals, and employment law.
Promotions at Hesketh Henry Auckland law firm Hesketh Henry has announced a number of promotions and a new senior arrival. Hak Jun Lee has been promoted to Special Counsel. Mr Lee has been with the firm since October 2015 and leads its rapidly growing Asian practice. He is a property law specialist but manages clients across all disciplines. Sam Lee has been promoted to senior associate. Mr Lee has been with the firm since August 2015 and specialises in the property field. He is an integral member of the firm’s Asian practice. Sarah Holderness has also been promoted to the role of senior associate. Ms Holderness commenced at Hesketh
Henry as a graduate in May 2010 and has risen through the ranks in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team. She has a particular interest in construction related contracts and litigation. Glen Holm-Hansen joined the firm in January as a senior associate and is a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team as a Senior Associate in January 2018. Mr HolmHansen is a general commercial and insurance litigator with significant experience in assisting clients with investigations by regulatory bodies.
Rice + Co Lawyers becomes Rice Speir Nathan Speir has joined Helen Rice in partnership from 1 April and the name of the firm has changed from Rice + Co Lawyers to Rice Speir. Nathan joined the firm in 2014. He is an experienced litigator, heading the firm’s compliance and enforcement team.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Notable Quotes I just felt compelled to raise with LawTalk the inclusion of a “Notable Quote” in the latest edition of LawTalk [Issue 915, March 2018, page 99]. In particular, the quote from Russell McVeagh HR director, announcing the firm’s sponsorship of gay and inclusive rugby club, the New Zealand Falcons. While I have absolutely no issue with the cause, I feel, in terms of the present environment that Russell McVeagh finds itself in, the comments about the firm embracing “diversty and inclusion … but also to show we are creating and embedding a welcoming working environment” demonstrating 10
the firm’s culture are disingenuous at best, and an appalling misrepresentation of the culture and attitude of Russell McVeagh at worst. The inclusion of this quote has the feeling of a cheap stunt and marketing tool to try and provide cover for Russell McVeagh. As someone who is gay, I neither need, nor want, Russell McVeagh advocating or advancing diversity and inclusion in their environment at this time because I know for a fact that this is simply not true. I do hope LawTalk will take more care in future when considering what to include in its quote section.
James Gallagher, Wellington.
Geoff Adlam, LawTalk Editor, replies: The Notable Quotes are built each month by adding material as it comes to hand. The Russell McVeagh announcement was made on 7 February and the quote was included at that time as it was a positive initiative and the quote was interesting in its context. The matters relating to sexual harassment were first published by Newsroom on 14 February and the story developed rapidly thereafter. Retention of the quote was considered for some time. At the end, it was decided to keep it as something which should stand by itself with all the contexts and interpretations which could be given.