Alissa Bell takes over as John Woolley steps down from the board.
Alissa Bell.
McVeagh Fleming has announced that John Woolley is stepping down as chair of the board after a tenure spanning nearly five decades. Alissa Bell, who joined McVeagh Fleming in 2011, has been appointed as the new chair. She is a distinguished legal professional with a passion for the law and said she would embrace the opportunity to build on Woolley’s legacy while delivering her vision for the future of the firm.
“McVeagh Fleming has experienced strong growth over the past five years, resulting in the establishment of a new office in Manukau, alongside our Auckland City and North Harbour locations. Our vision is to employ 160 professionals across various fields by 2027,” said Bell.
“We pride ourselves on fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity within our teams. We deliberately nurture talent within the firm by giving our legal professionals sufficient autonomy to work on client files while being guided by seniors who enjoy mentoring and seeing young professionals grow and prosper.”
McVeagh Fleming, [considering] New Zealand’s current cost of living crisis, believes that everyone has the right to high-quality legal advice regardless of their financial circumstances.
“Volunteering and giving back has always been something I have been drawn to and it’s a calling we encourage our people to embrace,” she said.
In addition to her professional achievements, Bell actively volunteers and serves on the committees for ADLSi and Family Court Association; she is president of the Zonta Club of Auckland.
Bell is an avid traveller, continuously seeking new destinations and achieved a goal of visiting every continent before the age of 40. She now aims to complete a half-marathon on every continent.
Woolley, who remains part of the McVeagh Fleming family in a consulting capacity, said: “Alissa’s appointment signifies a new chapter for McVeagh Fleming, blending a legacy of excellence with a fresh perspective. Her appointment underscores the firm’s commitment to nurturing talent.”
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