Rachael has experience advising domestic and international clients in the conduct of complex commercial litigation in the High Court and alternative dispute resolution forums. She has particular experience in contractual disputes, product liability claims, regulatory and competition proceedings and class actions.
She commenced her career as a Judges’ Clerk to The Honourable Justice John McGrath in the Supreme Court of New Zealand.
Prior to re-joining Chapman Tripp in 2016, Rachael worked for Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London.
Recent highlights
- Represented ASX-listed BlueScope Steel defending a large breach of contract claim against one of its subsidiaries, arising from the sale of a mining asset that did not complete.
- Represented Kathmandu Ltd in a claim against Briscoes Group relating to costs payable under the Takeovers Code following an unsuccessful takeover bid by Briscoes Group.
- Assisting James Hardie in defending “leaky building” claims, including class action proceedings.
- Assisted and advised a major international investment bank in responding to regulatory investigations and defending proceedings related to the fixing of the LIBOR and EURIBOR benchmark interest rates.
- Assisted and advised international clients in the oil and gas and consumer goods sectors in relation to the investigation of bribery and corruption allegations in a number of international markets.
- Represented Siemens AG successfully against proceedings brought by the Commerce Commission alleging that Siemens was involved in a price-fixing cartel for gas-insulated switchgear in New Zealand.
