Russell McVeagh is delighted to recognise six outstanding lawyers who have been promoted to Special Counsel and Senior Associate respectively, effective 1 December, across Litigation, Banking and Finance, Government, Competition and Regulation, Corporate Advisory, Property & Real Estate and Private Client practice areas.
Special Counsel promotions:
- Joanna Trezise (Litigation/Private Client)
- Ling Yan Pang (Banking and Finance)
- Matt Consedine (Banking and Finance)
Senior Associate promotions:
- Helen Liava'a (Government, Competition & Regulation)
- Sophie Chester (Corporate Advisory)
- Lawson Davison (Corporate Advisory, Property & Real Estate and Private Client)
In addition, the firm recently welcomed two senior associates: Callum Burnett, who has rejoined our Tax team as a returning alumnus, and Elsie Stone, who joins our Government, Competition and Regulation team from London.
Callum, Ling Yan, Matt and Helen all began their careers at Russell McVeagh before gaining valuable experience overseas, while Elsie, Joanna, Sophie and Lawson all joined with experience gained at other New Zealand firms.
Russell McVeagh CEO Ben McLaren says, “We’re proud to recognise these senior lawyers whose expertise and dedication have strengthened our ability to deliver outstanding results for clients. The calibre of talent developing their careers here and choosing to join our firm speaks to the culture we've built – one that fosters growth, champions excellence and offers opportunities to work with some of New Zealand's leading organisations."
Joanna Trezise – Litigation/Private Client
Based in Auckland, Joanna advises on complex disputes, with a focus on trust, estate and relationship property matters. She is frequently instructed on regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings, particularly in the financial sector, as well as commercial, tort, statutory, cross-border and class action disputes. With a previous career in the arts, Joanna has a particular interest in matters relating to arts and culture.
Ling Yan Pang – Banking and Finance
Ling Yan specialises in debt capital markets and structured finance, including securitisations and covered bonds. She also regularly advises corporates and financial institutions on financial services regulation, and legislative developments and submissions. Ling Yan began her career at Russell McVeagh before working in London, returning to the Auckland team in 2017.
Matt Consedine – Banking and Finance
Matt has extensive experience advising financial institutions, non-bank lenders, sponsors and corporates on complex cross-border financing transactions, including acquisition finance, corporate finance, real estate finance, fund finance, restructurings and margin lending. He is also a private credit expert, having assisted funds managers with fund formation and lending transactions, and assisted borrowers seeking a private credit solution. Matt began his career at Russell McVeagh in 2013 and returned to our Auckland office in 2021 after four years at a 'Magic Circle' firm in London.
Helen Liava'a - Government, Competition and Regulation
Helen specialises in regulatory frameworks, law reform engagement, governance and compliance, and competition law matters including merger clearances for domestic and international transactions, market studies and Commerce Act investigations. She began her career at Russell McVeagh as a graduate, then spent more than a decade in France before rejoining our Auckland team in 2024. Helen brings extensive international experience and delivers pragmatic, commercial advice to both public and private clients.
Sophie Chester – Corporate Advisory
Based in our Wellington office, Sophie specialises in public and private M&A, capital raises, joint ventures, shareholder arrangements, general corporate matters and commercial contracting across a wide range of industries, including the energy, infrastructure, financial services and technology sectors. Prior to joining Russell McVeagh in 2022, Sophie spent four years at the Takeovers Panel, where she advised on several high-profile takeovers and schemes of arrangement.
Lawson Davison – Corporate Advisory, Property & Real Estate and Private Client
Lawson is a commercial and property law specialist with expertise in private corporate advisory, joint ventures, commercial transactions, and development and project finance. Based in Queenstown, he advises a range of clients including overseas investors, closely held companies and high net worth individuals throughout the South Island and New Zealand.