Today, leading New Zealand law firm Simpson Grierson is pleased to announce that Litigation Partner Jania Baigent will become Chair of its Board on 1 January 2027.

Jania succeeds Pip Muir, who has chaired the firm since 2023.

Managing Partner Andrew Harkness acknowledges: “Pip has served the firm with distinction as Chair over the past three years, providing strong and thoughtful stewardship of the Board. We are enormously grateful for her contribution and look forward to continuing to benefit from her leadership through to the end of her term. Jania’s appointment signals another significant step for Simpson Grierson. As a firm leader, she has a deep understanding of our people, culture and clients, and a clear sense of how we can build on those strengths for the future.”

Reflecting on her appointment, Jania says: “I am honoured to have been elected Chair by the partnership. Simpson Grierson is in great shape and well positioned for the future, and that is a real credit to Pip and the kaitiakitanga she has shown.

“There’s excellent momentum across our client base, from major infrastructure projects to corporate transactions, litigation and investment into New Zealand. The Board’s job is to make sure we keep investing in our people and the expertise our clients rely on as their businesses grow.”

As one of New Zealand’s leading litigators, Jania specialises in privacy, media, technology and product liability disputes, often acting in urgent and cross-border matters. She has been a partner since 2013 and has served on the firm’s Board for more than a decade.

Jania adds: “Having spent much of my career at Simpson Grierson, I’ve seen first-hand how our talent and ambition are matched by strong values and culture, and that balance is what makes our firm such a special place.

“Alongside Andrew and our Management Team, I’m looking forward to building on the strengths that set our firm apart.