Allison is a leading resource management lawyer whose practice spans all aspects of resource management, with particular expertise in major development and large-scale infrastructure projects, district and regional planning, and policy matters. She has extensive experience in alternative consenting processes including direct referral and the referral and substantive stages of the fast-track consent process.

Allison also provides expert advice on a range of public law and local government issues including development contributions and rates, the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act, information disclosure and the role of local authorities in decision making. She is an experienced litigator, regularly appearing before a range of decision makers.

Allison was Chair of Russell McVeagh's Board from 2021 to 2024. Prior to her election as Chair, she served on the Board from 2018.  Prior to her Board role, she served as the firm's National Practice Group Chair for Environment and Planning.

Allison’s experience includes advising:

• Auckland Airport on a range of policy, regulatory, legislative and environmental issues, including in relation to approvals required for a major extension to the second runway and associated noise contours.

• Graymont (NZ) Limited on its referral and substantive fast-track application under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 for the proposed expansion of its Oparure Quarry near Te Kūiti, New Zealand’s largest limestone quarry by output.

• Nelson Airport in relation to obtaining the necessary environmental and planning approvals to enable the future northern extension of the airport's main operational runway and associated noise contours.

• KiwiRail on a number of planning and consenting matters, including housing intensification plan changes nationally, emergency works provisions after recent natural disasters, consents to develop the Palmerston North Intermodal Freight Hub, the City Rail Link and Wiri to Quay Prak projects and fast track consenting processes to redevelop ferry facilities in Picton and Kaiwharawhara, new train stations at Drury Central and Paerata, electrification and upgrading of the North Island Main Trunk Line between Papakura and Pukekohe.

• Helios Energy on consents for the Edgecumbe Solar Farm.

• Woolworths New Zealand in relation to the consenting of Woolworths supermarkets throughout New Zealand, including major multi-use developments in Christchurch and Auckland, and liquor licensing matters for the national portfolio.

• Watercare on a range of policy and legislative matters, including in relation to local government, disclosure and CCO obligations.

Allison is ranked highly in the main legal publications including: 

• Best Lawyers® 2026: Land Use and Zoning Law
• Doyle's Guide 2026: 'Preeminent', Environment and Resource Management;
• Asia Pacific Legal 500 2025: 'Leading Partner', Transport
• Chambers Directory 2025: Environment & Resource Management
• IFLR1000: 'Highly Regarded', Project Development
• Asialaw Profiles 2022: 'Distinguished Practitioner', Environment law.

Allison was the only New Zealand lawyer featured in Chambers & Partners' inaugural DEI Global Report 2024 in recognition of her leadership in advancing Russell McVeagh's Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Strategy. 

Allison was named 'Large Law Firm Leader of the Year' in 2023 in reflection of her work in guiding the firm, with the firm also winning 'New Zealand Large Law Firm of the Year' under her leadership, along with numerous Excellence Awards. Allison has been recognised as an exceptional leader on the NZ Lawyer Elite Women 2023 list, a 'Diversity Champion of the Year' finalist at the Diversity Awards NZ, and has been named in LawFuel's Power List of 'Most Influential Lawyers in NZ' in the Changemaker category. 

Client feedback consistently highlights Allison’s expertise and results-focused approach

• "is a superb lawyer who combines a high level of legal awareness with a determination to get the best results for the client." - Chambers & Partners
• "is an outstanding lawyer. She is highly skilled but very responsive and results-focused." - Chambers & Partners
• "goes above and beyond, stepping in at short notice to a hearing. Stand out skill of connecting very quickly with aggrieved members of the public speaking in opposition, establishing a relationship and getting a clear idea of the actual points of contention." - Legal 500
• "has an exceptional ability to cut through the fog and get to the heart of an issue." - Legal 500