Matthew Nathan, Chris Merrick, and Jacob Barry will ‘bring fresh ideas and perspectives’.
Matthew Nathan.
Meredith Connell, Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest litigation firm, has announced the appointment of three top lawyers to the partnership.
This brings its partnership to 33 across Auckland and Wellington.
The three partners join 15 newly promoted senior associates and associates.
Chief executive Sophie Schwass said it was exciting for the firm to welcome these outstanding lawyers to the partnership: “Matthew, Chris, and Jacob will bring fresh ideas and perspectives. Their leadership skills, exceptional client support, and personal values further strengthen our partnership and expand our offering to clients.”
Nathan (Ngāti Whātua, Te Uri-o-Hau) has been in MC’s Crown Specialist team since returning to Aotearoa in 2021.
His career spans two decades prosecuting serious and complex crime on both sides of the Tasman. A highly experienced trial and appellate lawyer leading more than 200 criminal trials, Nathan specialises in prosecuting homicide, serious sexual offending, organised crime, and complex fraud.
Recognising his professional standing, prior to returning to Aotearoa, Nathan was appointed Senior Counsel in 2015 (Silk) and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions for the Northern Territory of Australia in 2018. The following year he was elected president of the Australian Association of Crown Prosecutors.
Born in Papakura, Nathan was raised on the Pōuto Peninsula on the Kaipara Harbour.
Merrick (Te Whakapiko o Ngāti Manaia, Ngāti Wai, Ma’ufanga, Niua) is an experienced litigator, who draws his legal expertise and cultural background together in his advisory work. He has acted for Te Hunga Rōia Māori in matters before the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, and appeared before select committees, including for the Pacific Lawyers Association.
Merrick’s roles have included counsel assisting the Abuse in Care Royal Commission, inquiry lawyer to the Dilworth Independent Inquiry, and deputy chair of the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal. Merrick is a speaker of te reo Māori.
Merrick’s newly established team specialise in navigating Te Ao Māori and Pacific legal issues.
Chris Merrick, left, and Jacob Barry.
Barry specialises in regulatory prosecutions and providing advice to the Commerce Commission. He is also a Senior Crown Prosecutor having led approximately 50 criminal trials in the District and High Courts and has conducted a number of appeals on behalf of the Crown in the Court of Appeal.
Known as a highly persuasive advocate and compassionate prosecutor, he has worked on some of the most high-profile sexual violence matters in recent New Zealand history.
Barry also has a masters degree from Harvard Law School where he studied in 2016-17 before re-joining MC at the end of 2017.
* Nathan and Barry’s appointments are subject to meeting all NZ Law Society requirements.
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