The NZ Lawyer Future Legal Leaders list recognises emerging lawyers who are building strong market profiles and making a growing impact in their areas of specialisation. For Simpson Grierson, this recognition speaks to the quality and momentum of our senior associates as trusted advisers and future leaders of the firm.

Sophie Hawksworth is a Senior Associate in Simpson Grierson’s Banking and Finance National Practice Group, working within the Financial Services Litigation team. Her practice focuses on insolvency, restructuring and enforcement matters, acting for insolvency practitioners, directors, creditors, major trading banks and non‑bank lenders. She regularly appears in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal.

Sophie is trusted with complex, high‑profile matters and is regularly sought out for her specialist expertise, responsiveness and ability to deliver strong outcomes efficiently. Her recognition as an IFLR1000 Rising Star in 2025, as the firm’s only non‑partner ranked that year, reflects her growing market profile. Beyond her technical practice, Sophie plays a key role in developing team capability, mentoring junior lawyers and contributing to industry dialogue through thought leadership and professional involvement. Her combination of technical excellence, commercial insight and trusted client relationships marks her as a deserving Future Legal Leader.

Josiah Koh is a Senior Associate in Simpson Grierson’s Corporate team in Auckland, advising on complex domestic and international M&A transactions, financial services regulation, securities law and corporate governance. He regularly leads matters end‑to‑end and is a trusted day‑to‑day adviser for key client relationships.

Over the past year, Josiah has played a leading role on several high‑profile transactions across the financial services, private equity, manufacturing and funds sectors. Known for navigating complex regulatory and commercial issues with precision and pragmatism, he is actively involved in business development, client engagement and firm‑wide financial services initiatives. Josiah mentors junior lawyers across the firm, provides internal training and manages matters with strong commercial discipline. His clarity, responsiveness and commercial insight underpin long‑term client relationships and mark him as a Future Legal Leader.

Ashleigh Inder is a Senior Associate in the firm’s employment practice, advising clients in New Zealand and internationally across employment and health and safety law. Her work spans complex investigations, restructures, senior executive arrangements, restraint of trade disputes, incentive schemes, privacy issues and day‑to‑day advisory matters.

Ashleigh advises leading organisations across critical sectors on the employment aspects of major transactions and disputes, helping clients manage risk and protect their reputations. She is regularly trusted with high‑stakes, reputationally sensitive matters, providing clear, pragmatic advice under pressure. Ashleigh also contributes to firm‑wide AI initiatives and pro bono work. Her ability to combine strategic insight with practical solutions has established her as a trusted adviser and a deserving Future Legal Leader.

Chris Ryan is a Senior Associate in Simpson Grierson’s market‑leading Planning and Environment practice, advising local authorities, council‑controlled organisations and corporate clients on complex local government and resource management matters. He is frequently the primary point of contact on high‑profile, strategically significant work.

Over the past 12 months, Chris has acted on major judicial review and Environment Court proceedings, sensitive governance matters and public law challenges for public sector clients across New Zealand. He is highly regarded for his collaborative approach, technical expertise and mentorship of junior lawyers, and regularly supports other practice groups and internal training. Known for his sound judgement and pragmatic advice, Chris consistently delivers clear, commercially astute solutions under pressure, marking him as a deserving Future Legal Leader.

We congratulate Sophie, Josiah, Ashleigh and Chris on this well‑earned recognition, and extend our congratulations to all individuals recognised in the NZ Lawyer Future Legal Leaders 2026 list.