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.


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.