Russell McVeagh senior associates Yaren Fu (Litigation) and Rachael O'Malley (Corporate Advisory) have been recognised as two of New Zealand's brightest emerging legal professionals, having been named in NZ Lawyer's Future Legal Leaders 2026 list.
Released today, the annual list recognises standout lawyers who have delivered meaningful outcomes for clients, while also contributing to their peers and the wider legal profession over the past year.
Russell McVeagh CEO Ben McLaren said, "Congratulations to Yaren and Rachael on this well-deserved recognition. It reflects the consistently high standard of work they deliver for clients and the leadership they demonstrate within our firm. They both set the bar high with exceptional skills, judgment and dedication and we're proud to see their achievements recognised."
Yaren Fu
Yaren specialises in complex commercial disputes and investigations, advising major listed corporates on matters that often involve highly sensitive reputational and commercial issues. Her experience spans regulatory enforcement, consumer protection litigation and disputes arising from significant corporate transactions. She frequently plays a pivotal role in some of New Zealand’s most significant litigation, often involving novel and developing areas of law.
More recently, Yaren has acted on a number of high-profile matters, including defending a supermarket retailer in a criminal prosecution brought by the Commerce Commission, advising multinational manufacturers in product liability proceedings, and securing urgent injunctive relief for a leading media company in a defamation matter. She has also advised one of New Zealand’s most significant corporates in complex franchising litigation and has previously acted on major investigations and prosecutions involving the Financial Markets Authority and the Commerce Commission.
Rachael O'Malley
Rachael advises on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters and is recognised for her expertise in mergers and acquisitions, takeovers, overseas investment, corporate governance and complex commercial contracting. She is a trusted adviser to some of New Zealand’s most significant businesses and consistently plays a leading role in complex, market‑shaping transactions.
Recent highlights include advising Craigs Investment Partners on the strategic investment in the CIP Group by global private equity firm TA Associates, Fonterra on the divestment of its global consumer business to Lactalis for $4.42 billion and the associated return of capital to shareholders, and NZ Hotel Holdings on the divestment of hotels from its portfolio. She also advised SGX listed City Developments on the full takeover offer in respect of NZX listed Millennium & Copthorne Hotels by its wholly owned subsidiary.