Presenters

Jo-Anne Knight, Partner, Simpson Grierson
Jo-Anne is a partner in the commercial litigation group of Simpson Grierson. She specialises in construction litigation. Jo-Anne has over 20 years' experience acting for contractors, principals, local authorities and consultants in the full range of building and infrastructure disputes. Jo-Anne also advises in the negotiation and drafting of construction contracts with particular emphasis on the allocation of risks within construction contracts, security arrangements and providing tailored mechanisms for avoiding disputes and managing disputes that cannot be avoided in the most effective manner suitable to the particular project or industry. Jo-Anne has represented construction parties and local authorities in well over 100 mediations and judicial settlement conferences. She specialises in adjudications and also appears as counsel in the courts, specialist tribunals and in arbitrations covering the full range of construction issues, including payment disputes, construction defects cases and enforcement of performance bonds.


Colin Hunter, Associate, Hesketh Henry
Colin graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Law (Hons) and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court in 2016. He specialises in civil litigation, with particular expertise in maritime and insurance law. Colin excels at complex legal analysis and cross border claims. Colin has experience across a broad range of trade and transport disputes. He has acted on cargo (wet and dry), international trade, collisions, fires, ship repair, ship arrest and charterparty disputes. Colin has acted for many New Zealand insurers with respect to professional indemnity, directors and officers, income protection, construction works, property, life and disability, and marine insurance. He also has experience with offshore insurers and re-insurers to provide advice on New Zealand insurance law and registration as a New Zealand insurer. Colin has successfully argued before the High Court and supported litigation in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He is a creative problem solver with strong legal knowledge and a pragmatic negotiation style. Prior to being a lawyer Colin was a jazz musician. He has given his time to teach Burmese refugees and students in need. He has a passion for cooking and has regularly cooked for Auckland’s homeless population. Colin has been a member of the Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand since he was a law student. He has given talks at the branch and national conference on marine insurance and admiralty issues.