Capability
I have more than 25 years experience as a commercial and corporate lawyer: most recently inhouse at OMV New Zealand, but also in private practice in New Zealand and in London, and at the bar. Getting a practical result quickly and without fuss is what makes inhouse practice satisfying for me. I enjoy working inside an organisation to help it best achieve its goals. Experience and wide legal knowledge help me get up to speed quickly in diverse work areas and to think strategically. I am comfortable working on complex, high-value or strategic projects, including leading negotiations and advising on legal and regulatory risk.
Before Juno
OMV New Zealand | Legal Counsel
Capital Chambers | Barrister
MinterEllison | Senior Associate
Watson Farley Williams | Senior Assistant
Bell Gully | Solicitor
Areas of Expertise
- Contracts and procurement
- Administrative and regulatory law
- Insolvency and post-recession interventions and recovery
- Shipping, trade and insurance
- Energy, including offshore
Community/Governance
Committee, Wellington College Rowing Club
What Iain Thorpe's clients say
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We really enjoyed working with Iain. He fitted in with the team really nicely and got on well with everyone. It was great to have an experienced lawyer come on board so quickly and hit the ground running without requiring a whole lot of support. Iain has quite a different background of experience from other members of our team, which meant he had quite a different take on some issues. This was a useful addition to the diversity of thought in the team. His expertise was particularly useful in relation to several litigation/dispute matters. I think we all learned something from having Iain around.
Name provided upon request
Senior Legal Counsel, Energy Company
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We would describe Iain as adaptable, friendly, thorough and competent. We’ve been happy to have Iain back three times and he is very much part of the team. His experience in litigation has been particularly helpful to the Bank and he has been able to assist on a major litigation disclosure exercise, the appropriate scope for directors’ liability insurance, and the potential risks the bank faces when presented with draft trust deed amendments and contracts. It is a perspective that was missing from the team at that level of expertise and has proved of great benefit.
Nick McBride
General Counsel, Reserve Bank
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Iain’s role in the team was to provide additional legal support. During his time, Iain led a number of key matters for us and provided wise counsel in relation to other, more operational matters. In particular, I appreciated Iain’s exceptional advocacy skills and his ability to create compelling arguments. Iain was instrumental in us obtaining a successful outcome to an Ombudsman’s investigation into our refusal to release research information under the OIA. Iain also took a lead role in the sector’s response to the Education (Pastoral Care of Domestic Tertiary Students) Interim Code of Practice 2019. Beyond that, I appreciated Iain’s sense of humour and contribution to the collegial aspects of our team.
Simon Johnson
General Counsel, Victoria University of Wellington
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Iain has back filled a vacancy at KCDC for an extended period of time, due to uncertainties arising out of the Covid lockdown. Iain very quickly established himself as a valuable member of the small in-house legal team and despite not having direct local government experience, he quickly gained the confidence of a wide range of internal clients. This is testament to the common sense pragmatic advice provided by Iain.
Tim Power
Senior Legal Counsel, KCDC
