Three Dentons Kensington Swan lawyers have today been named as 'Rising Stars' by NZ Lawyer. The Rising Stars list acknowledges New Zealand’s leading legal professionals aged 35 and under, who have demonstrated the skills and aptitude needed to become future leaders of the profession.

The three Dentons Kensington Swan lawyers named as Rising Stars for 2021 are: Charlotte Evans, Associate; Louise Espin (née Trevena-Downing), Associate; and Tom McLaughlin, Senior Associate.

Tom McLaughlin joined our Banking and Financial Markets team in 2012, and has since achieved significant milestones in his career, including being recognised as a ‘Next Generation Lawyer’ (2019) and ‘Rising Star’ (2020 and 2021) in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific legal directory. Tom has also just been ranked by Chambers Asia-Pacific as a Financial Services ‘Associate to Watch’ for the third year running. Tom specialises in financial services and financial market matters, including investment funds, financial advice, insurance, and fintech offerings. He advises on all aspects of financial products and services, from structuring offerings to meeting compliance and conduct obligations. Tom also has an in-depth understanding of the industry, having spent time on secondment to one of New Zealand’s largest financial service providers, a significant participant in the insurance sector, and a major bank.

Louise Espin (née Trevena-Downing) is a recognised Associate for her experience in a variety of wider environment and planning legal issues, primarily for Government agencies, local bodies, electricity, mining and utility companies, schools and accommodation providers. Louise joined our Environment and Planning team in 2017. Her commitment to law extends beyond her Associate role – Louise is an Executive Member of the Resource Management Law Association for the Auckland Branch. Louise has appeared as Junior Counsel before a Board of Inquiry and at numerous council hearings. She has also taken part in Environment Court mediations, and has extensive negotiation skills through her experience in negotiating construction contracts with key stakeholders on major national projects.

Charlotte Evans is an Associate in our specialist Employment and Health & Safety team whose expertise has made an immediate impact since joining in 2019. Charlotte advises on all areas of employment and health & safety law. Her career has already seen a depth of experience in complex and sensitive employment & safety issues, including representing clients in proceedings before the Employment Relations Authority, the District Court and the Employment Court. Some of the work Charlotte has been involved in includes representing a client in a landmark claim to the Employment Court regarding a contractual mistake and providing cutting-edge advice on the legal complexities of Covid-19. A key client of the firm has described Charlotte as a rare breed who adds real value to their business by enabling them to move swiftly and accurately towards outcomes.

Hayden Wilson, Chair and Partner of Dentons Kensington Swan said ‘it is wonderful and exciting to once again have three of our talented lawyers recognised in the NZ Lawyer Rising Stars list. To confidently excel during unprecedented times is a true testament of the character, skillset, and talent these three lawyers have shown. I have no doubt that this is just one of many more accomplishments they will see in their careers.'

The firm combined with Dentons, the world’s largest law firm one year ago, providing Dentons Kensington Swan’s clients with the ability to access a pool of 10,000+ lawyers across the globe, wherever they do business. Likewise Dentons' clients who want to do business in New Zealand will now have access to the experience and talent of Dentons Kensington Swan.

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Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com