In response to urgent climate challenges, corporate governance assumes a pivotal role in advancing sustainability. Explore New Zealand's evolving climate disclosure landscape, global trends, and greenwashing risks. Navigate essential legal duties in climate litigation and climate risk management strategies. Join to align legal expertise with the imperative of climate action, empowering corporate governance for a sustainable future.

Presenters

Daniel Kalderimis, Barrister, Thorndon Chambers
With over 20 years’ experience, Daniel is a New Zealand and English-qualified barrister who practises at Thorndon Chambers (Wellington), Richmond Chambers (Auckland) and Twenty Essex (Singapore and London) and an adjunct lecturer teaching civil procedure and advocacy at Victoria University of Wellington. He has appeared at all levels of the New Zealand court system and in numerous international arbitrations. Daniel is recognised in all leading directories, where he has been described as “an excellent barrister” with “a very sharp mind” and “awesome oral advocacy skills”, who is “calm and authoritative, preferring substance over theatrics" and “a real pleasure to work with”. Daniel is active before the courts in the emerging area of legal duties and climate change.


Debra Dorrington, Sustainability Consultant, Debra Dorrington
Debra is a sustainability advocate, guiding advisers like lawyers to positively influence sustainable behaviour in business. She sees the legal fraternity as having an integral role in influencing climate conscious behaviour and hopes the profession spearheads positive change at scale. She currently volunteers as the Pro-Bono Coordinator for Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc. For years Debra was a property lawyer in private practice where she built a strong reputation. She combines decades of legal training and experience, with a passion for making a difference.


Jessica Easton, Director, Easton Legal
Jessica Easton is a local government specialist, providing legal, commercial and strategic guidance to local authorities. She operates at all levels, supporting in-house lawyers, executive teams and Councillors reduce risk, while maintaining perspective on regional and national-level issues. Recent work has included post-Cyclone Gabrielle recovery and land categorisation work in the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne, legal risk management following the Whakaari/White Island eruption, legal project management of Edgecumbe floods litigation and public transport service challenges through the Covid-19 pandemic. Having started her career in litigation for a large national firm in Australia, Jessica has worked in both private and public sectors since coming to New Zealand, most recently at the Bay of Plenty Regional Council where she established and led the in-house Legal and Commercial Team. Jessica has an in-depth knowledge of how local government works and the nature of public decision-making and accountability. She is attuned to sector-wide issues and understands the importance of the wider political context and the need for practical advice when applying a legal lens within the local government sector.


Nicola Swan, Partner, Chapman Tripp
Nicola is a Partner in Chapman Tripp’s Dispute Resolution and Climate Risk practices based in Wellington and leads the firm's International Law practice. She has a significant focus on sustainability and climate change risk and reporting and is recognized as a thought-leader in this area. Nicola has expertise in climate related disclosure (CRD) reporting implementation, having advised both government actors and regulated entities (listed issuers, banks, insurers, fund managers) as the legislation and associated climate standards have been developing. Nicola is currently acting for a range of New Zealand banks, fund managers, insurers and listed issuers on climate risk assessment, CRD, emissions targets, and related liability/litigation risk. Nicola is also regularly approached to develop ESG policies, codes of conduct, and to advise on sustainability governance. Nicola is currently acting for several New Zealand corporates in climate related and greenwashing litigation currently before the courts. In the last three years, Nicola has co-authored published New Zealand legal opinions on fiduciary duties and obligations on boards of directors, fund managers and trustees to consider climate risk to businesses and investments, and several guides for company directors, fund managers and trustees to consider climate risk to businesses and investments. Nicola is recognized in Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 and Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration 2024. Nicola was also listed in NZ Lawyer's Elite Women List 2023.


Dr Melanie Baker-Jones, Climate Adviser & Project Manager, Te Whakahaere Āhuarangi Ltd
Melanie Baker-Jones, is a Climate Consultant committed to driving collaborative initiatives that empower individuals and businesses towards a climate-positive and sustainable future. With a foundation degree in Sociology and a background in IT, Melanie's early career has been shaped by problem-solving and a keen understanding of the collective wisdom gained from diverse and shared experiences. Having been admitted as a solicitor and with experience working with both corporates and SMEs, Melanie brings a unique perspective to the table. Her journey of knowledge acquisition includes not only her early career degree but also a law degree and a subsequent PhD. This doctoral research delved into the intersections of regulatory systems, legal liability, resilience, disaster management, and social media, supported in part by the prestigious Bushfire and Natural Hazard Co-operative Research Centre (CRC). This academic journey reinforced the importance of translating research findings into actionable strategies, underlining Melanie's dedication to fostering collaboration and enhancing collective capabilities. Melanie's passion for knowledge dissemination is reinforced through her role as a co-lecturer in climate change law at the University of Auckland. Continuously expanding her horizons, she is currently focused on deepening her understanding of te ao Māori and its relevance to risk perception, while also honing her proficiency in te reo. Drawing on her diverse background and expertise, Melanie continues to focus her efforts on the climate sector. Through collaborative ventures, she endeavours to integrate various strands of knowledge and experience, ultimately driving tangible outcomes for communities and future generations. Join Melanie on her journey as she navigates the intricacies of climate action, charting a course towards a sustainable future for all.


Timothy Pilkington, Barrister, Thorndon Chambers
Tim recently completed a D.Phil at St John’s College, University of Oxford on restitution for a failure of condition. His D.Phil was supervised by Professor Ben McFarlane and examined by Professor Robert Stevens and Justice James Edelman. Tim was previously an Associate Lecturer at the University of Sydney Law School, where he taught property and commercial law. Before that, he was a Judge’s Clerk to Justice David Hammerschlag and then Justice Julie Ward in the New South Wales Supreme Court. Tim continues to do academic work and is presently working on a book on restitution based on his D.Phil. His previous writing has been referred to by courts and leading textbooks around the common law world. He is also currently an Adjunct Lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington, where he is delivering lectures on property law.