Presenters

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.


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.