Congratulations to our finalists!

This year's ILANZ awards attracted yet another high standard of nominations from across the country! The finalists were selected based on their exceptional legal skills, leadership abilities, and commitment to their organisations and communities.

Our judges want to emphasise that each nominee should be proud of their achievements, regardless of the final outcome. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence have not gone unnoticed.

Individual award finalists

MinterEllisonRuddWatts Private Sector In-house Lawyer of the Year:

• Harriet Blackburn - Vector Limited
• Jason Hawthorne - Serko
• Kirsten Clayton - Contact Energy
  
  

Public Sector In-house Lawyer of the Year:

• Andrew Riseley - Commerce Commission
• Greg Brogden - Health New Zealand
• Joseph Bergin - Tāmaki Regeneration Company
• Neena Ullal - High Performance Sport NZ (HPSNZ) 
• Philippa Miller-Ibos - New Zealand Police
• Rose Mein - Maritime New Zealand
  
  

MAS New In-house Lawyer of the Year:

• Romina Seylani - Douglas Pharmaceuticals Limited
• Suzanne Trounson - Maritime New Zealand
  
  

Sole In-house Lawyer of the Year:

• Matt McGrath - Hawke's Bay Regional Council 
• Roxy Robertson - Affco New Zealand Limited
  
  

Team award finalists

Chapman Tripp Private Sector In-house Team of the Year: 

• AIA New Zealand Legal & Regulatory
• Chorus Legal Team
• Fisher Funds Legal Team
• New Zealand Rugby Legal Team
  
  

Greenwood Roche Public Sector In-house Team of the Year:

• Ngā Ratonga Ture | Legal Services, Auckland Council
• Health New Zealand Legal Team
• Maritime NZ Legal Services Team
  
  

Anthony Harper Small In-house Team of the Year*:

• High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) Legal Team
• KPMG 
• Stuff Group Legal Team
• Zespri Group Limited Legal & Intangible Assets Team
  
  

Special award finalists:

Artemis In-house Innovation Award:

• KPMG
• Rocket Lab Legal Team (NZ)
• Serko
  
  

Simpson Grierson People & Culture Excellence Award:

• New Zealand Rugby Legal Team
• Philippa Miller-Ibos - New Zealand Police
• 2degrees Legal Team
  
  

ComplyWith Community Contribution Award:

• Philippa Miller-Ibos - New Zealand Police
• Rocket Lab Legal Team (NZ)

The winners of the 2025 ILANZ Awards will be announced at the Meredith Connell Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony as part of the ILANZ Conference on Friday 9 May, at the Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland.

Tickets to the Meredith Connell Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony can be purchased when registering for the conference.

*no more than 10 full-time equivalent lawyers