Marika is a leading commercial litigation specialist focusing on complex commercial disputes. She has contentious and advisory expertise in insurance, mergers and acquisitions disputes, property and leasing disputes, capital markets and companies law.

Marika represents clients as an advocate in the courts, in arbitrations and other dispute resolution forums. Her contentious experience also allows her to give effective risk mitigation advice on transactions.

Marika brings a commercial and strategic approach to disputes and is valued for her ability to avoid and efficiently resolve issues for her clients. She was a Russell McVeagh Board member from 2021 to 2025. 

Marika was named 'Lawyer of the Year' for Insurance and Reinsurance at the Asia Women in Business Law Awards in 2022 and 2021, and was a finalist in 2023. She is recognised in the Best Lawyers® New Zealand 2025 Guide in the field of Litigation; and is ranked in the Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2025 Guide; and as a 'Leading Partner' for Dispute Resolution in the Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2025 Guide. ​Marika is also recognised as a 'Litigation Star' in the Benchmark Litigation 2025 guide and is named in the Legal 500 Australasian Arbitration Powerlist 2022/23.

Marika co-authored the New Zealand chapter of The Insurance and Reinsurance Law Review – Editions 5 - 8, and the New Zealand chapter in The Securities Litigation Review (Editions 4 - 6). Marika is a member of, amongst other things, the New Zealand Insurance Law Association and The Inter-Pacific Bar Association.

Client feedback in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 legal guides emphasises Marika's expertise in the Litigation sector, stating Marika:

• "is a clear thinker and sensible, smart and articulate."
• "is a trusted advisor on litigious matters. Her strategic and commercial approach to disputes has been a key factor in reaching negotiated settlements."
• "is a well-respected practitioner in the New Zealand market with a down-to-earth and practical approach."
• "is phenomenal with budget management. She is really excellent and stands out across New Zealand and Australia."
• "is incredibly intelligent and surrounds herself with a very good team that has depth and breadth."
• "is impressive. While she is obviously experienced and knowledgeable, she is also a pleasure to work with, is very engaged, timely and communicative regarding costs incurred."
• "spends time listening and clearly understanding the client’s needs. She is very practical and down to earth."
• "understands our business and in particular understands and works within the framework of our position on each matter."