Lane Neave has won the supreme New Zealand award at the Women in Business Law Awards Asia Pacific 2022.
The firm was named New Zealand Firm of the Year – one of four awards – at a glamorous live online ceremony in Hong Kong last night.
Lane Neave won the following categories:
- New Zealand Firm of the Year
- Work-Life Balance National Firm of the Year
- Women in Business Law National Firm of the Year
- Corporate Governance Lawyer of the Year – Joelle Grace
Special Counsel Katharine Hockley was also shortlisted in the individual Environment Lawyer category.
Firm and country/regional winners are judged on their ability to support the development of women in the legal profession and provide work/life programmes to enable women to pursue legal careers. Criteria include the ratio of female-to-male lawyers (at all levels of seniority), the retention of women associates to partner level, and any relevant diversity initiatives.
Individual awards recognise leading women lawyers from the Asia-Pacific region and nominees are judged on the complexity of their work as well as on their advocacy, influence, and thought leadership to promote women in the practice of law.
Employment Partner Fiona McMillan, who led the firm’s submissions process, said she could not be prouder of the work that the Partners and leaders of Lane Neave had undertaken to support, enable and promote female legal staff.
“We have proactively established and embedded policies and processes that support all of our female staff to attain and exceed their goals within the profession.
“Lane Neave’s recognition at the Women in Business Law Awards Asia Pacific 2022 is the result of a clearly articulated strategy to support women in the legal profession,” she said.
Lane Neave Managing Partner Andrew Shaw echoed her thoughts.
‘’It is wonderful for our female lawyers to receive international recognition for their hard work and dedication. As a firm, we aim to continue leading the way by showing our genuine commitment to all our staff and partners, with rigorous policies and practical assistance, that will ensure that our outstanding female lawyers continue to thrive in a profession that benefits greatly from their expertise and experience.”
Corporate Governance Lawyer of the Year Joelle Grace said: “I am thrilled to be recognised following what has been a busy year working with a wide variety of clients both here and overseas. I am grateful to my team without who we could not deliver such great outcomes for our clients.”
McMillan concluded: “These awards confirm something that I have known for a long time – our female lawyers are some of the best in their chosen fields and Lane Neave gives us the tools to bring our A-game.”
All the 2022 winners can be be seen here.
