Bankside Barristers Hon Christopher Finlayson KC, Lady Deborah Chambers KC, Jeremy Johnson, and Tiana Epati have been included in the 2024 LawFuel Power List.
Hon Christopher Finlayson KC
Hon Christopher Finlayson KC features again this year for his expertise in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and constitutional matters: “his unique blend of political acumen and legal prowess makes him a sought-after counsel for both public and private entities grappling with New Zealand’s evolving legal landscape.”
Over the past year he has been involved in high-stakes negotiations, including leading discussions between the Hawke’s Bay councils and the Government on the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery package
Elected to Parliament in 2005, he became Attorney-General and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations in 2008 until 2017. During his Ministerial career he also held a number of other portfolios including Chair of the Privileges Committee of Parliament from 2011–2017.
Hon Christopher Finlayson KC’s involvement in arts and culture is also a key factor to being included in the list’s top 20. Since leaving Parliament he served on several arts boards and is currently on Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery Trust and the Adam Foundation. In 2023 he was appointed to the board of Te Urewera.
See Hon Christopher Finlayson KC’s Bankside profile.
Lady Deborah Chambers KC
Another regular on the list, Lady Deborah Chambers KC is praised for her consistent rankings in both the Chambers and Partners Global and Asia-Pacific rankings. This year she moves up to place 35.
Known as the top relationship property lawyer in New Zealand, and named the “divorce trust diva”, Lady Deborah has been a powerful advocate for expanding the definition of “property” in relationship cases and for addressing economic disparity, particularly in support of traditional wives. She has also written extensively and taught on these important issues.
Lady Deborah was admitted to the bar in 1983 and worked with leading law firms Russell McVeagh, Meredith Connell and Butler White and Hanna. In 1989 she commenced practice as a barrister sole and was made silk in 2007. Her extensive litigation experience includes frequent appearances in the Family Court, High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
See Deborah’s Bankside profile.
Jeremy Johnson
Jeremy Johnson joins the Power List this year, and is one of the lawyers most-suggested by the profession to be added to the list.
Commended for his sharp intellect, legal skills and network of professional and business connections, he has been a leading dispute resolution practitioner in the Chambers and Partners Global and Asia-Pacific Guides for over ten years. Jeremy is the youngest Fellow of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ) and also received the Ronald Davison Award for excellence in arbitral award writing.
Jeremy is valued for his discretion and is considered as one of New Zealand’s leading private wealth barristers and he often undertakes cross-border private wealth work. He is a member of Bankside Singapore, the first and only New Zealand group of barristers, arbitrators and mediators committed to an enduring presence in Singapore.
Jeremy’s community involvement includes his roles as Chancellor of the Diocese of Waiapu, Fellow of Christ’s College and Chair of the New Zealand String Quartet Trust.
See Jeremy’s Bankside profile.
Tiana Epati
“Her leadership has been instrumental in driving discussions on mental health, work-life balance, and ethical practices within the legal profession.”
Recognised as LawFuel’s Lawyer of the Year in 2019 for her fresh perspective and impactful leadership as President of the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) from 2017 to 2019, Tiana Epati has been a champion for diversity, inclusion and reform in the legal sector. She was the first NZLS President of Pasifika descent and one of the youngest people to serve in the role.
Her expertise in complex regulatory and serious criminal investigations, and particular expertise in appeals and reviews, has seen her appear as lead counsel in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in over 100 appeals against interlocutory proceedings, extradition, conviction and sentence. A former Crown prosecutor in both Auckland and Wellington, she is a member of the Serious Fraud Office Prosecution Panel and Crown Solicitors Panel.
Tiana has also been praised for her outspoken advocacy in tackling bullying and harassment within the legal profession.
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