2019 Candidate Booklet - Issuer Service Centre
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2019 Candidate Booklet
Council Candidates – In alphabetical order
Christopher John EGGLESTON
I am a Barrister in Chancery Chambers, with over 25 years’ experience spe-
cialising in employment law. I was admitted in 1990 and am a longstanding
member of ADLS.
I was the spokesperson for a group of members who successfully opposed
last year’s repeated attempts to sell ADLS’s iconic building. I was initially
concerned that ADLS members had not been properly consulted regarding
the most important issue that ADLS has faced since its inception. I later
became concerned at the absence of any economically prudent plan for the
organisation, which I would expect to inform such an important decision. Not
only did the signing of the sale and purchase agreement breach an unequiv-
ocal undertaking given by the President, but the sale price that the Council
agreed to was proven by subsequent unsolicited offers to be well below
current market value.
Lessons need to be learned from this experience and this has galvanised me
into standing for Council. I would like to see the organisation develop a com-
mercially sustainable plan to deliver its objectives and I would like to assist
ADLS in fulfilling its potential. It is due to the foresight of previous Councils
in purchasing and maintaining the building that ADLS is currently financially
secure. The building not only gives authority to the organisation, but allows
important core activities to flourish.
I have a cautious, balanced approach and have previous experience on the
Board of another successful charitable trust. I look forward to working with
others to develop the organisation further.
Anthony Robert HERRING
I would like you to re-elect me as an ADLS Council Member for 2019/2020.
I was first elected to Council in 2017.
In addition to being a Council Member, I have been a Member of the ADLS
Documents and Precedents Committee since 2014 and the Property Disputes
Resolution Committee since 2015. I was previously a Member of the ADLS
Property Law Committee (2014-2018) and the Employment Law Committee
(2015-2018).
I have also been actively involved with the New Zealand Law Society, includ-
ing nine years on a Standards Committee. I am currently a member of the Law
Society Panel of Friends.
I believe that ADLS benefits from having a South Island based Council Mem-
ber. Approximately 44% of ADLS members reside outside Auckland, with a
significant South Island membership. The Council continually looks for ways
to strengthen ties within the profession across the country and attract new
members throughout New Zealand.
I have enjoyed my two years as a Council Member and I hope to be re-elected so that we can continue to provide significant benefit to our members. I would like to continue my involvement in growing member based services, including the wonderful CPD programmes that ADLS offers, the representa- tion provided for our members and of course the professional collegiality and assistance programmes that ADLS is well known for. Leadership is so important to our organisation and I believe that I have much to offer if you vote to re-elect me as a Council Member. Tony John SAVAGE I offer members of the Society proven, constructive leadership and governance skills. If elected, I would work to ensure that the Society effectively advances the interests of all the Profession. I have acted as a director and chair for Law Alliance New Zealand and as General Manager for the Lawlink Group of law firms. In those roles I have worked with sole practitioners through to lawyers in large firms, throughout New Zealand. This experience has enabled me to take a long-term view on the issues facing Lawyers and how we can best serve our clients. I am a member of the NZLS Property Law Section Law Reform Panel. I have been a member on the Society’s Technology committee. I have served in governance roles for many voluntary organisations. Some of these include acting as President of the Northland Chamber of Commerce, Trustee of the Northland Foundation, Director of Rotary NZ World Community Service and Trustee of local schools. I obtained a LLB and MBA from Auckland University. I was admitted in 1988. I started as a solicitor at Chapman Tripp, Auckland. I am a director of a firm based in Northland. My legal work is now mainly property. I have had a wide base of legal experience including Litigation, Commercial and Private Client work. If elected, I will be a strong advocate for the Profession, promoting competence, ethical conduct, professionalism and public service by the legal profession.
Bernard Peter SMITH I seek re-election as an ADLS Council Member. I have been a Council member since 2016. ADLS is a strong and vibrant society representing the interests of close to 5,000 members. My commitment to ADLS goes back many years and I have previously been a member of the Documents & Precedent and Property Law Committees. ADLS is committed to providing benefits to its members in an ever changing modern world. As a Council Member I am proud of the work our Society achieves through its CLE programmes, committees, submissions, work with young members of the profession, association with universities and collegiality events. Membership is important and it is pleasing to see ADLS is now very much a national organisation with 44% of its membership outside of Auckland. If re-elected I will continue to focus not just on the continued delivery of our traditional benefits but also to focus on what our profession will look like in the future, the demands it will face and how we can best serve its members and deliver those necessary services. Ellen Grace SNEDDEN I am a LLB/BA Senior Associate at Smith and Partners. I was admitted in 2013 and specialise in Family Law. I am standing for election to the ADLS Council with a spe- cial interest in meeting the needs of the younger and recently admitted members of our profession. I have served on the ADLS Family Law committee and convened the ADLS Newly Suited committee since its inception. I have also enjoyed leading the Future Leaders of West Auckland networking group for a number of years. I am passionate about the continued and extended development of the programmes designed for our younger and recently admitted members which were initiated by former council member, Stephanie Nicolson, specifically: 1) Strengthening ADLS’s relationships with New Zealand law schools – and the Equal Justice Project and development of programmes to aid students transitioning into the profession; 2) Ensuring recently admitted practitioners are represented on ADLS commit- tees – providing a greater voice in all areas and levels of practice; 3) Supporting the Newly Suited Committee– with its events, practitioner guid- ance and CPD for those entering into the profession; 4) Continuing contributions to outreach strategies, including via social media; 5) Promoting ADLS’s buddy programmes – facilitating relationships between practitioners and students to assist them with a smooth transition into the profes- sion;
6) Building on ADLS’s student work experience programmes. I am also passionate about driving a positive change for the legal profession in its culture by providing avenues to assist those affected by bullying, harassment, dis- crimination or underrepresentation within the profession. I would be grateful for the opportunity to sit on ADLS’s Council to serve their needs as well as the needs of the recently admitted.
Presidential Candidates – In alphabetical order
Tony BOUCHIER
The current ADLS Council failed to understand the strong sense of ownership and
connectedness generations of ADLS members have with Chancery. Further, the lack
of respect shown by the Council for the membership’s original vote against the sale
of the building shows new leadership with fresh ideas is needed.
Chancery is the ADLS’s turangawaiwai, its most important asset. It must be protect-
ed from sale by future councils.
Academic/Professional:
MBA and LLB degrees Auckland University. Admitted to the bar in 1987. Practice
Criminal law Barrister sole.
Professional Membership Organisation Governance Experience:
I have previously served on the ADLS Council. Currently on Criminal Bar Association
committee (17 years), four years as President during a major transformation of the
organisation. Past Member Police Association, Director Police and Families Credit
Union, and served as Chairman and member of many professional and community
committees and charitable trusts.
Business Experience:
Amongst varied business interests, I manage a commercial property private invest-
ment company for 30+ years, I have and continue to serve on a number of boards,
trusts, and committees.
Managing Chancery:
My experience managing a portfolio of inner city commercial buildings will enable
me to address maintenance and compliance issues confronting Chancery. I have
a plan which will protect its ownership, build on its current profitability, and future
proof it for the benefit of future membership.
ADLS Governance:
A discussion concerning the ADLS businesses, particularly the governance struc-
ture of the businesses needs to be instigated. I believe better value can be extracted
from the +\-$130,000pa stipend paid to the ADLS President if it was diverted to a
professional governance structure.
Membership Numbers:
I will increase membership by exploring new services attractive to the broader legal
profession than is currently provided by ADLS.
I bring Commercial Business acumen and Professional Representative Organisation
governance experience, along with experience in legal practice, membership of
committees, and time served in the profession; all essential skills for the President
you elect.
Stewart GERMANN I am the principal of Stewart Germann Law Office (SGL) with over 40 years’ experi- ence. I qualified with BCom in 1974 and LLB in 1975 from The University of Auckland and was admitted to the Bar in November 1975. I am a mediator and an Associate of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand. I am also a Notary Public and President of the New Zealand Society of Notaries. SGL is a boutique firm specialising in commercial law with an emphasis on franchis- ing and licensing and it has won many international awards. I have been on numerous ADLS committees over the years - ADLS Young Members Sub Committee, the Companies and Commerce Sub Committee, and Convenor of the Companies and Commerce Sub Committee, Taxation Sub Committee and Com- mercial Law Committee. I am a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors and have twice been President of Governance New Zealand so I have considerable experience in the operation of Boards of directors, both as a director and as chairman. I also have experience in drafting strategic plans and am a lateral thinker who strives to achieve outcomes. and solutions. In relation to service in the community, I am currently a director of the Stroke Foun- dation of New Zealand and past President of the Rotary Club of Auckland. I belonged to ADLS when the Chancery Chambers building was originally pur- chased. It has always been an icon and, because of its position in Auckland Central, the value has increased year by year. Recently I was incensed at the proposal by the existing Council to sell the building and I voted against the proposal along with many other members. If a strategic plan exists (which I would hope) then it should be reviewed and updat- ed. I think that some reform and changes are needed but if I am elected President I would objectively assess the current situation before proposing any action. I also believe that ADLS should promote more congeniality amongst its members and it should have an excellent relationship with the New Zealand Law Society. There are tremendous opportunities for ADLS to expand its reach and to develop and expand its existing businesses which appear to be very profitable. ADLS only exists because of its members and I would always have that in mind.
Brian KEENE QC Brian graduated LLB (Hons) from Auckland University in 1968. He was for 20 years partner in Morpeth Gould & Co in Auckland, specialising as a commercial and securities specialist litigator and arbitrator. Brian went to the independent bar in 1992 and was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2006. Brian’s membership of ADLS has spanned over 30 years. In 2011 he was elected to the Council. In 2013 he was appointed Vice-President. In the years 2014 to 2016 he was elected President unopposed. By the ADLS Constitution a President may not serve continuously beyond three years, so he retired in March 2017. Brian is proud of the direction which ADLS so boldly took in 2012 to become a nationwide organisation. The new Constitution passed by members broke the shackles of Auckland only membership and opened the doors to better gover- nance. Our national profile is now a reality. Over the years of his presidency, ADLS has transformed its relationships with the major Universities to more strongly link Town and Gown. The resulting injection of youth and energy into ADLS has been tremendous and led to mentoring opportu- nities for students and the “newly suited”. He has also worked with the Judiciary of all Courts and Government Ministries. Brian has been a strong contributor to the present success of ADLS. His retire- ment left a number of unresolved issues which he had hoped to address in his three year term. For that matter there were opportunities which he would have liked to develop to fruition. For this reason he stands again as President to con- tribute to ADLS’ rise and rise. Brian’s interests outside of the law are his wife and family of three children and seven grandchildren, tennis, theatre and music. Joanna PIDGEON LLB (Hons) Admitted 1994 I am a partner of Pidgeon Law, a boutique property and commercial law firm in the Auckland CBD with 8 lawyers. I specialise in property and commercial law. Previously I was a partner at Hesketh Henry, and a Senior Associate at Simp- son Grierson. I am the current President of ADLS. Under my leadership membership has continued to grow and digital signing has been released. I am committed to ensuring we have a sound base to continue to provide and develop relevant member services, • increasing collegiality • providing practical guidance and assistance to members • contributing to law reform such as on AML/CFT issues. While experienced, I am youthful and bring energy, enthusiasm and engage- ment to the current issues facing practitioners. 2018 was a challenging year for ADLS with the ADLS Council deciding that decisions on the future of our building should be made by our membership. Discussion was robust, and the decision was made not to sell. ADLS now needs to focus on the key issues facing our members in a fast-changing legal environment which have a huge impact on members and the way that they practice law.
I am an active member of the ADLS Property Law Committee, am heavily involved in the Landonline upgrade and was previously a chair of the Property Disputes committee. I regularly contribute to ADLS CPD Seminars. Outside of the legal profession, I serve as Deputy Chair of the Auckland City Mission and am married with two daughters.
ADLS Telephone: 09 303 5270 Chancery Chambers Facsimile: 09 309 3726 2 Chancery Street Email: reception@adls.org.nz Auckland 1010 adls.org.nz
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