Dentons has promoted seven new partners, which will take place over the next six months across all its offices in New Zealand. Those being promoted are Sara Cheetham (major projects and construction), Joy Wang (corporate and commercial), Oliver Hobbs (real estate), Kate Rouch (litigation and dispute resolution), Catherine Deans (health law and litigation), Amberley James (health law and litigation), and Nicole Thompson (litigation and dispute resolution).
These promotions will strengthen the company’s presence nationally. It’s notable that everyone is being promoted from within Dentons – testament to the firm’s exceptional talent and growth in recent years.
Cheetham and Wang joined the partnership on July 1.
Subject to them satisfying the Law Society’s requirements, Hobbs and Rouch will join soon.
Deans, James, and Thompson will join the partnership by January 1, 2026 – again subject to them satisfying the Law Society’s requirements.
The firm continues to demonstrate its commitment to creating a culture that is supportive, inclusive, and celebrates diversity. The promotion of six women over the next six months positions Dentons among the leading firms in the market for gender diversity, with women making up 40% of its partners from January 1, 2026.
Chief executive of Dentons in New Zealand Charles Spillane said: “It is a massive milestone for us to be able to announce the promotion of seven new partners. All seven promotions are well deserved, given the commitment they have already shown to our clients and the development of our team here at Dentons. We are so proud of what each of them has achieved and look forward to enjoying their contribution to our culture as the next generation of our leaders.”
Oliver Hobbs and Kate Rouch.
Cheetham joins the leadership of the major projects and construction team. She is based in Auckland and has experience in private practice and in-house roles. She advises parties involved in construction, development, and infrastructure projects, providing legal support with the front-end procurement of projects and during their implementation/delivery. Her strong legal skills and practical approach make her a trusted adviser on complex, high-value projects.
Our corporate and commercial team’s leadership expands in Auckland with the promotion of Wang. She is a highly experienced corporate and commercial lawyer who began her career with the firm. She regularly advises domestic and offshore clients on M&A, corporate structuring, joint ventures, and commercial contracts. Wang is an expert in New Zealand’s overseas investment regime and has played a key role in securing consent for a wide range of clients under the Overseas Investment Act. Known for her pragmatic and commercial approach, Wang helps clients navigate complex legal issues with clear, pragmatic solutions. Her promotion highlights the value of her experience, client relationship skills, and the leadership role she already is playing within the team.
The leadership of our Wellington Real Estate team will be enhanced by the addition of Hobbs. With more than 10 years of experience in advising on property and construction matters in both New Zealand and Australia, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the partnership. He has represented government entities, iwi, and major corporations in large-scale transactions, development projects, and infrastructure deals. Hobbs has expertise and dedication in his specialist area, and his ability to manage complex negotiations, provide pragmatic advice, and deliver successful outcomes has earned high praise from clients and colleagues, including by being recognised as a Future Leader by NZ Lawyer.
Rouch will join the leadership of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution team in Wellington. She is a highly experienced litigator and advocate, having acted for large public and private sector clients. Rouch blends a practical approach to issues with an acute understanding of the law and a meticulous eye for detail. Her specialist areas include civil disputes (particularly in contract and tort), judicial review, public law litigation, insurance, and natural disaster damage litigation. She is known for her ability to be across both the finer points of a case and the broader litigation strategy, while aligning with the client’s public and policy objectives. In April 2025, Kate was recognised as a future leader by NZ Lawyer, showcasing her technical expertise and leadership skills which she brings to the partnership.
Our health law practice will be significantly boosted by the appointment of two new partners: James and Deans.
Deans is an experienced litigator with a broad client base in both the public and private sector. She has represented clients at all levels of the courts and before specialist tribunals. Deans is responsive to the needs of her clients and provides clear, tailored advice across a wide range of issues relevant to the health sector and her broader practice areas. She will be Dentons’ second partner in the Christchurch office, alongside Willie Hamilton.
James is a skilled litigator with a particular interest in professional regulatory and disciplinary proceedings across a range of professions. She brings a wealth of experience from both New Zealand and the UK. She will be based in Wellington. James is also an expert in public law and privacy. Her thoughtful and strategic approach allows her to understand a client’s underlying drivers and provide practical advice which helps achieve the best possible outcome.
In the new year, Nicole Thompson will join the leadership of the litigation and dispute resolution team in Auckland. She works on a wide range of commercial disputes, including contract, property, insurance, and banking disputes. She also works on contentious and non-contentious restructuring and insolvency matters. Nicole has appeared in various courts and tribunals in New Zealand, and has extensive experience with alternative dispute resolution processes. She has also worked in-house at a large bank in London. Her dual perspective as both external counsel and in-house lawyer gives her a practical edge when navigating disputes and understanding what our clients wish to achieve.
Hayden Wilson, chair of Dentons in New Zealand and global vice-chair, said: “We know our latest round of partner promotions are all leaders in their field. We know this because we work with them every day and have seen how they deliver for our clients and their commitment to our people. It is exciting for us here at Dentons to be welcoming such great homegrown talent to the partnership over the next six months. It is going to be even more exciting to support them to thrive in their careers and watch their success.”
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