Patrick Tumelty Patrick Tumelty
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Patrick Tumelty
Senior Associate
Auckland
Litigation
+64 9 367 8113 DDI patrick.tumelty@russellmcveagh.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-tumelty-083a9354/
Profile Experience Insights Recognition
Profile

Patrick is a litigator with specialist knowledge in commercial litigation, health & safety, insurance, and shipping.

Since joining Russell McVeagh in 2020, Patrick has advised a broad client base on a range of commercial and health & safety matters including on strategic aspects of complex multi-jurisdiction disputes, urgent interlocutory applications, and shareholder disputes.

Prior to joining Russell McVeagh, Patrick worked in London in the disputes division of international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. As a Senior Associate, he took a lead role in a number of important cases for high-profile clients and acted in relation to claims, investigations, policies and inquests.  

He has been described in The Legal 500 as “a superb, incredibly diligent, thoughtful senior associate”.

Patrick qualified as a lawyer in England and Wales, and was admitted to practise in New Zealand in 2023. 

Related Expertise

Litigation
Employment, Health & Safety
Investigations
Experience

Patrick's experience includes:

  • Defending three New Zealand companies in relation to a complex cross-border shipping dispute.
  • Acting for CNP Holdings in relation to high-profile litigation concerning the collapsed "Nido Development".
  • Acting for a New Zealand food company in relation to urgent High Court proceedings concerning a long-term supply contract.
  • Acting for a well-known New Zealand company in relation to the successful resolution of a share price dispute.
  • Acting on urgent interlocutory applications in the High Court arising out of a shareholder dispute.
  • Advising Chevron in respect of health and safety investigations following an explosion at a refinery in Pembroke, Wales.
  • Advising BP in respect of an Inquest and civil claims brought against it in the UK and the USA relating to a terrorist attack in 2013 on the In Amenas gas plant in Algeria in which 40 people were killed.
  • Advising multinational companies on Directors' and Officers' (D&O) and Professional Indemnity policy renewals and disputes, including wording for a bespoke D&O policy and structure of global D&O programme.
  • Acting for Diageo in respect of claims brought against it in the UK and Australia relating to the distribution of products containing thalidomide in the late 1950s/early 1960s.
Insights
Recognition

Patrick has been described in The Legal 500 as “a superb, incredibly diligent, thoughtful senior associate”.