Bell Gully‘s insurance team has ‘an in-depth knowledge of the industry, related case law and all the key players in the industry’. Glenn Joblin co-leads the team and is a leading corporate lawyer and an M&A specialist. Sam Hiebendaal works alongside Joblin as the other co-lead and acts for a number of New Zealand’s insurers and corporates on complex disputes over a broad range of matters. Gabrielle Menzies is an experienced transactional lawyer who regularly advises insurers on M&A transactions and a broad range of general corporate matters. The firm has expertise not only in general claims work, but also in less common claim types such as under warranty and indemnity insurance policies.

The Duncan Cotterill team ‘has delivered excellent service’. Nick Laing and Edwin Boshier were promoted to partner in April 2024, reflecting the firm’s depth in insurance law. Jonathan Scragg leads the Wellington insurance, litigation and disputes team, Duncan McGill advises insurers and insureds on indemnity and defence issues, particularly professional liability claims, while Tanya Wood specialises in complex indemnity proceedings. Aaron Sherriff is also a key name, frequently defending clients in high-profile cases. The firm handles the full range of insurance matters, including standout recent cases relating to construction, engineering and natural disasters.

‘The depth of knowledge on insurance specific issues is first class’ at specialist insurance and commercial litigation practice Fee Langstone. For nearly 30 years, the firm has acted for most of New Zealand’s major insurers and a range of international clients, advising across almost every type of insurance product. The team is led by Philippa Fee, one of New Zealand’s leading litigation and dispute resolution lawyers, and Craig Langstone, a senior insurance lawyer with decades of courtroom and mediation experience. Virginia Wethey, Cecily Brick, and Bradley Alcorn, who was promoted to partner in February 2025, add expertise in professional indemnity, property and contract risk, policy coverage, maritime and transport insurance, and complex litigation.

Wotton Kearney's team 'stands out for the responsiveness and the pragmatism of its advice'. A leading insurance firm in New Zealand, the practice has a sizeable team across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and a Tauranga hub, all specialising in insurance. The team handles the full range of matters, including general liability, professional, product, and employment practices liability, providing both advisory and litigation services. The practice is jointly led by Antony Holden, Sophie Lucas, Misha Henaghan, Caroline Laband, Mathew Francis, Richie Flinn, Rebecca Scott and Joseph Fitzgerald, with key contributors including Sean O’Sullivan, Peter Leman, Matthew Booth, Hugh King , Shane Swinerd, Michael Cavanaugh and James Dymock, who was promoted to partner in March 2024.

Chapman Tripp plays a prominent role in handling substantial insurance claims for both insurers and insureds, often involving large, complex or novel issues. The team’s work spans disputes, transactional advice, and regulatory matters, with frequent involvement at all levels of the court system. The practice is jointly led by Grace Rippingale, John Knight, Penny Sheerin, who specialises in regulatory compliance under the CoFI regime, and Garth Gallaway, a leading health and safety expert with experience in high-profile coronial inquests. Together, the team brings to bear expertise across contested claims, alternative dispute resolution, and coverage advice.

DLA Piper New Zealand combines expertise across corporate, litigation and regulatory matters, and intellectual property and technology to support both insurers and insureds. The team provides specialist support in disputes and regulatory matters, covering professional liability, healthcare, construction, digital and software insurance, and local government-related claims. Rachel Taylor focuses on product design, compliance, and corporate governance matters, while Emma Moran leads on insurance litigation and dispute resolution, including professional indemnity and commercial claims.

Gilbert Walker‘s insurance team is ‘highly competent and capable, with lots of experience and depth’. The team acts on complex claims, including in relation to infrastructure projects and multimillion-dollar liability matters arising from natural disasters. The practice is co-led by Martin Smith, who has over 20 years’ experience advising on insurance and professional liability disputes, appearing in trials, appeals, and mediations. Fellow co-lead Iva Rosic regularly advises on indemnity matters and defends claims across professional, statutory, public, and directors’ liability. Hamish McQueen and Zoe Brentnall advise insurers on indemnity issues and defend claims involving property, professional, and management liability insurance.

Hesketh Henry's insurance practice advises on a wide range of matters, including coverage, business interruption, cyber, professional indemnity, health and safety, and regulatory issues, and has experience working with UK and US law firms on cross-border cases. The practice is co-led by Helen Macfarlane, a litigation partner with experience in property, construction, and insurance disputes, including international cases; Christina Bryant, who has nearly 30 years’ experience of acting for clients such as public hospitals and regulatory authorities, and previously practised in London; and Melissa Russell, who joined the firm from Kennedys in 2024, drawing on past experience of practising in London, Hong Kong and Singapore.

MinterEllisonRuddWatts is an active firm within the insurance sphere, handling both contentious and advisory matters. The team is regularly engaged in complex coverage disputes, regulatory investigations, and compliance issues involving insurance and financial services legislation. Andrew Horne is recognised for his work on high-value and sensitive disputes, frequently acting in complex commercial litigation with insurance dimensions, and Nick Frith continues to establish himself as a key insurance litigator, advising on earthquake-related claims and other coverage issues. Both partners remain central to the firm’s growth in the insurance field.

A team made up of ‘experts in their field who are great to work with’, Russell McVeagh advises insurers, brokers, government entities, corporates, directors, and other industry participants on complex insurance disputes and transactions. The team frequently represents clients in disputes of significant public importance, with a strong specialism in natural disaster and earthquake litigation, and also supports clients with regulatory issues relating to the review of New Zealand’s insurance contract law. Marika Eastwick-Field and Nathaniel Walker co-lead the insurance disputes practice. Emmeline Rushbrook is skilled in contentious and non-contentious insurance matters in the financial services sector.

The insurance team at Wynn Williams is 'client focused, pragmatic and provides excellent service'. The firm advises across all major lines of insurance, with particular expertise in professional liability, statutory liability, fire and general, property, and health and life insurance. Longstanding insurance specialist Richard Hern is an authority on real estate agents’ and lawyers’ liability; Richard Hargreaves focuses on property claims and natural disaster defence cases; Ellie Harrison represents clients in regulatory prosecutions, coronial inquests, and statutory liability claims; and Greg Simms advises on commercial claims, including directors' and officers' and product liability cases.

Robertsons is a specialist firm dedicated to insurance, with a 'capable, insightful, and efficient' team whose partners have over 90 years’ combined experience. Michael Robertson has acted for most New Zealand insurers since 1988, with particular expertise in claims against professionals. Helen Twomey advises on a wide range of liability matters. Sophie Curlett specialises in regulatory investigations and cyber liability. Tom Pasley focuses on large-scale disputes and class actions. Together, the partners provide full coverage of the insurance sector.

Wilson Harle's insurance team has been praised for 'exceeding the quality of the litigation departments in the major firms'. The firm frequently acts for brokers and overseas insurers and reinsurers, including Lloyd’s syndicates and London market firms, with expertise in shipping, fraud (including arson and insurance fraud) and international trade insurance issues. The team is also regularly instructed by insured executives facing investigations or claims involving directors' and officers' coverage. The practice is jointly led by Chris Browne, Ian Denton, Felicity Monteiro, and Guy Tompkins, all of whom are experienced litigators.