Bankside is delighted to welcome Rachael Jones (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Ngāti Rakaipaaka) to chambers.
Rachael is an experienced litigation lawyer with particular expertise in Māori legal issues and public and administrative law.
She has appeared in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and Māori Land Court, representing clients in precedent cases relating to tikanga Māori in the law of Aotearoa. She has also acted in alternative dispute resolution forums for iwi and hapū clients, and entities who engage with Māori groups.
Rachael began her career as a Judges’ Clerk in the Wellington High Court, assisting Justice Joe Williams and Justice Brendan Brown. She joins Bankside after almost a decade at leading law firm Chapman Tripp, where she worked in the firm’s litigation and Te Waka Ture teams.
“I am thrilled to join Bankside Chambers as a member, with its reputation for excellence and compelling work,” says Rachael. “After nine rewarding years at Chapman Tripp, I am looking forward to advocating for existing and new clients from the different perspective of the Independent Bar.”
Rachael's exceptional work has earned her several accolades, including being named a Rising Star a NZ Lawyer in 2024, and being listed in Legal 500's 2022 Asia Pacific Dispute Resolution directory. In 2018, she received the inaugural Te Pae Tata Award for her contribution to a project that significantly advanced indigenous interests, awarded by Te Hunga Rōia Māori o Aotearoa.
Rachael is available to accept instructions as sole or junior counsel at any stage of a proceeding; she has particular expertise in briefing expert evidence for trial.
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