Source: New Zealand Government
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointments of 12 King’s Counsel.
The rank of King’s Counsel is primarily awarded to barristers sole who have met the overarching criteria of excellence in their careers, although some can be appointed in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to law.
“That is the case this year, with Chief Parliamentary Counsel Cassie Nicholson being made a KC in recognition of her significant contribution to the drafting of legislation for New Zealand,” Ms Collins says.
The 11 barristers sole appointed, from 107 applications, are Brian Dickey, Tiana Epati, Kevin Glover, Katie Hogan, Sarah Jerebine, Paul Keegan, Simon Ladd, Richard Marchant, Balthazar Matheson, Matthew Smith, and Alan Webb.
“The standards to be appointed King’s Counsel are extremely high and I am delighted that our legal profession continues to feature such distinguished individuals,” Ms Collins says.
“I am also pleased to note the wide variety of practice areas in which our newest silks have experience, increasing the availability of King’s Counsel in specialist fields,” Ms Collins says.
“All of our new King’s Counsel have demonstrated a particular commitment to improving access to justice alongside their excellent work as advisors and litigators. They all have strong links to their communities and significant instances of pro bono, legally aided and similar work. I congratulate each of them and their families on their appointment.”
Cassie Nicholson
Cassie Nicholson is the Chief Parliamentary Counsel and Chief Executive Officer of the Parliamentary Counsel Office, New Zealand’s law drafting office. She graduated from Victoria University, was a Commonwealth scholar, and holds a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics. She was Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel (drafting legislation) from 2016 and was appointed Chief Parliamentary Counsel in 2021.
Brian Dickey
Brian Dickey specialises in criminal law, and has expertise in commercial regulatory prosecutions. He graduated from Victoria University and was admitted to the bar in 1990. He was the Auckland Crown Solicitor for eight years until 2023 and from 2024 he has led Crown negotiations with Ngāpuhi hapu and Hauraki iwi.
Tiana Epati
Tiana Epati specialises in complex regulatory and serious criminal investigations, with particular expertise in appeals. She graduated from the University of Auckland and was admitted to the bar in 2000. She was a partner at Rishworth, Wall & Mathieson, before becoming a barrister sole in 2022. Tiana served as president of the New Zealand Law Society (NZLS) from 2019-2022.
Kevin Glover
Kevin Glover is an expert in intellectual property litigation. He graduated from the University of Waikato in 1999, was admitted to the bar in 2000 and earned his Master of Laws from the University of Cambridge in 2004. He joined the bar in 2009 and is a member of Shortland Chambers. He has lectured at the University of Auckland and is a co-author of Trade Marks in Practice and Intellectual Property Law.
Katie Hogan
Katie Hogan specialises in criminal law, with particular expertise in the criminal proceeds jurisdiction. She graduated from the University of Otago in 2000, was admitted to the bar in 2002 and, after working as a Crown prosecutor, joined City Chambers in 2018. She has been a legal consultant for the Samoan Attorney-General and has acted for the Cook Islands Crown.
Sarah Jerebine
Sarah Jerebine is a civil litigator, specialising in public law. She graduated from Victoria University and was admitted to the bar in 2001. She joined the Crown Law Office in 2010 and then Bankside Chambers in 2019. Ms Jerebine sits on the New Zealand Bar Association Council and Auckland Branch Council of the NZLS.
Paul Keegan
Paul Keegan is a defence barrister, specialising in criminal jury trial and appellate advocacy. He graduated from Victoria University and was admitted to the bar in 1992. He became a barrister sole in 2004 and founded Marsland Chambers in New Plymouth in 2021. He is a member of the Legal Aid selection committee, the Legal Aid disciplinary committee and is a Ministry of Justice auditor.
Simon Ladd
Simon Ladd is a commercial litigator. He graduated from the University of Auckland and was admitted to the bar in 1995. He earned a Master of Laws from the University of Chicago in 2000 and was a partner at Bell Gully before joining Shortland Chambers in 2021. He is the Director of the Legal Research Foundation and the Chair of the Judicial Tribunal of Athletics New Zealand.
Richard Marchant
Richard Marchant is a criminal lawyer. He studied at the University of Auckland and was admitted to the bar in 1985. He was a partner at Meredith Connell before establishing Regent Chambers in 2016. In 2025 he joined Acacia Chambers. He has been a Commissioner for Transport Accident Investigation and is a convenor for the Parole Board.
Balthazar Matheson
Bal Matheson is a resource management lawyer. He graduated from Otago University in 1998 and was admitted to the bar in 1999. He was a partner at Russell McVeagh before joining Richmond Chambers in 2016. He is a long-standing contributing author to New Zealand’s leading resource management law textbook.
Matthew Smith
Matthew Smith specialises in public law. He graduated from the University of Otago in 2005, was admitted to the bar in 2007 and obtained a Master of Laws from Harvard in 2009. He joined Thorndon Chambers in 2011, is the author of the New Zealand Judicial Review Handbook and is a member of the Legislation and Design Advisory Committee.
Alan Webb
Alan Webb is a resource management lawyer. He graduated from Victoria University in 1988 and was admitted to the bar in 1989. He was a partner at Norris Ward McKinnon before joining the bar and is a member of Quay Chambers. Alan has served on NZLS Complaints Committee and currently serves on the NZLS and The Law Association Environmental Law Committees, and the NZ Bar Association Advocacy Committee.
