DLA Piper: senior promotions and strategic hires

DLA Piper has announced three senior promotions alongside two strategic lateral hires, reinforcing the firm’s capabilities in high-demand practice areas across New Zealand. The appointments reflect growing client demand in financial services, employment, infrastructure, renewable energy, regulatory reform, and Māori legal matters.

Deepening capability to meet evolving client needs

• Nick Byrnes (special counsel, Auckland) continues to support the growth of DLA Piper’s real estate, construction, and infrastructure practice. He advises a broad range of clients, including global investors and developers, on all aspects of project delivery across landmark data centre, logistics, purpose-built student accommodation, and renewable energy developments. Recognised by NZ Lawyer as a Future Legal Leader, Byrnes also leads thought leadership on the industry trends shaping New Zealand’s built environment.
• Mike Campbell (senior associate, Wellington) is highly experienced in resource management and local government law. He provides pragmatic advice on complex planning issues, including to corporates with significant landholdings and development interests. Campbell has acted in high-profile litigation relating to freshwater, urban development, and forestry, and is at the forefront of developments in resource management law, presenting regularly on these subjects.
• Tyson Hullena (senior associate, Wellington) strengthens the firm’s dispute resolution and Māori law capability. He advises Māori landowners and post-settlement governance entities on disputes involving tikanga Māori, Māori land, and collective ownership – and their intersection with common law principles. Hullena brings tikanga insight together with commercial pragmatism. He also has a particular interest in the legal and regulatory dimensions of emerging technology issues and frequently assists clients with breach of confidence claims and managing risks around sensitive information.

Strategic hires enhance cross-border and sector depth

• Jennifer Smith (senior associate, Wellington) rejoined DLA Piper recently, after two years with a prominent offshore law firm in Hong Kong. She is known for advising financial market participants on innovative managed investment schemes and product offerings across both retail and wholesale markets. Her experience also extends to Cayman investment vehicles, private equity and hedge funds, where she has advised on fund formation, restructuring and governance.
• Kieron Creagh (senior associate, Auckland) joined DLA Piper in early 2025 from a domestic competitor, bringing significant capability to the firm’s employment practice. Admitted in both New Zealand and Australia, and with experience practising across both jurisdictions, Creagh offers trans-Tasman expertise and provides strategic advice to a broad range of clients on restructures, dispute resolution, minimum entitlement compliance, and health and safety obligations. She was recognised as a Rising Star by NZ Lawyer in 2022.

Country managing partner for DLA Piper in New Zealand, Laura Scampion, commented: “These promotions and appointments deepen our specialist capability in critical areas, ensuring we provide the right expertise locally, while drawing on the strength of our global firm. Each of these lawyers brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for both New Zealand businesses and those that operate globally."

Growing to meet client demand

DLA Piper in New Zealand has also expanded its Associate ranks with the promotion of Wellington-based Michael Fitzpatrick-Cockram, effective July 1, 2025. This growth is complemented by the addition of Anne Hewson, Paul Park, and Jacob Smith, who have joined the firm’s finance, corporate, and litigation/regulatory groups in Auckland.

The firm also congratulated James Wrighton on his promotion to marketing and business development executive, supporting the continued growth of client relationships across New Zealand.

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