From firm to business: Making the move in-house
Hear from three SHIFT Advisory lawyers — John Hanson, Bianca Miller, and Lisa Holt — about their journeys from firms to in-house roles, and what they’ve learned along the way.
Banking on flexibility without losing ambition
Three of SHIFT’s clients, colleagues, and friends - Stefania Esposito (Westpac), Macayla Hughes (Kiwibank), and Larissa Vaughan (TSB) - are legal leaders at three of New Zealand’s major banks. Like those on Emma McLean’s Part-Time Power List, they show why role models matter —proving you can build big careers while raising families, and bringing to life the mantra: you need to see it to be it.
Shaping success above and below ground – Ali Khan
From Canada to Christchurch, Ali Khan has built her career across industries and now leads the legal team at one of New Zealand’s global tech success stories. She talks about Seequent’s impact, why flexibility matters, and what she values about working with SHIFT.
Reaching new heights at Tower — Victoria Palfrey
Recently promoted to Head of Risk, Remediation & Regulatory Affairs at Tower, Victoria Palfrey shares how her career has evolved and the importance of balance as a working parent.
The GC’s Guide to Good Data Governance
The GC’s Guide to Good Data Governance. Following our successful and informative Shift Advisory and Shift GC Network event month, ‘A GC’s Guide to Data Governance’, we’ve captured insights from our powerhouse panel: Rachel O’Brien – Director at O’Brien Legal Tim Fletcher – Chief Legal and People Officer at Modica Group Rebecca Holdsworth – Head of Privacy and Responsible AI at One NZ Caroline Wishart – Head of Information Management at Fonterra In this article, we share some of their key perspectives on how GCs can navigate the challenges and opportunities of data governance with confidence.
SHIFT the way we lead
Social cohesion is built by leaders who are willing to listen, learn and help others do the same. Shift Advisory client and GC of NZTA Waka Kotahi Meredith Ussher has bought a culture of inclusivity and togetherness to her team in her role as a leader:
SHIFTing the conversation
Social Cohesion in New Zealand Report co-author and chief economist at Simplicity Shamubeel Eaqub, discusses why New Zealand’s social fabric is fraying, why its time for business leaders to step up.
Claire Adams’ ILANZ Takeaways: Tikanga, Law & Inspiration
Claire Adams' joined Prue Tyler and Caroline Ferguson at this year's ILANZ Conference in Tāmaki Makaurau. One session in particular on tikanga Māori and law reform left a lasting impression.
Buying tech? How to play it safe to avoid legal and commercial traps when procuring technology
Procuring software and technology (particularly SaaS) comes with legal and commercial risks that in-house counsel must navigate carefully, so how do you make sure your agreements protect your organisation? At the Legalwise In-House Counsel Conference 2025, key insights were shared on negotiating contracts, managing vendor performance, and mitigating risks—especially when dealing with major global providers versus local vendors. Shift Advisory Consultant Julie Daniels attended to find out more.
How GCs are adapting to AI
GenAI is transforming businesses across all sectors, and the legal industry is no exception. We spoke with two General Counsels—Guy Smith from Holmes Group and Jason Hawthorne from Serko—about their experiences and how GenAI is changing the legal landscape.
