We are proud to share that Ellie Wilson has been appointed partner of the firm, effective 1 April 2024.
An impulsive decision in her late teens to study law was inspired by a movie Ellie can’t even remember. While she doesn’t recommend this method of career choosing, she’s happy to say she found her element and now thrives in the satisfaction that comes from being able to help everyday people overcome challenges that cross their path.
Ellie is part of our Family Law team helping clients predominantly with relationship property matters. But it’s her niche work in Health Law and extensive litigation experience that stands her out from the crowd, assisting patients, practitioners, regulators and insurers with ACC claims, professional disciplinary processes, and privacy concerns among other matters in the healthcare space.
Ellie’s dedication extends beyond her work, supporting Mums and whānau through her role as Board Trustee for the Little Miracles Trust. She actively contributes to the Clinical Ethics Advisory Group at Taranaki Base Hospital, is a member of the NZLS Health and Disability Law Reform Committee, and hosts a local medico-legal discussion group.
Since moving to GQ in 2022, Ellie has demonstrated remarkable expertise and dedication to her work, her clients, and her team and we are proud to share she has been appointed a partner of the firm, effective 1 April 2024.
"I’m beyond excited to be joining the GQ partnership. GQ is justifiably proud of its “people first” culture – and I can say first-hand that this firm walks that talk. It's a privilege to work with such a forward-thinking, progressive, innovative, and down-to-earth team - and an absolute honour to be invited into the partnership. With so many exciting changes on the legal horizon, I can't wait to see the results we can achieve with, and for, our clients and our community."
- Ellie Wilson
Ellie’s appointment marks a milestone of 50/50 gender parity in the GQ partnership. On reflection of the firm’s history, it’s evident that strong female leadership has long been a cornerstone dating back to the appointment of Susan Hughes in 1987 – marking the first female to be appointed partner of a Taranaki law firm. Susan went on to become a Queen's Counsel. Another notable female partner, Emma Smith (partner from 1997-2004), left her mark also by later being appointed to judge.
The legacy of female leadership continues with a strong succession of female Senior Associates in the firm and the likes of long-standing partners Lauren Wallace, Alice Tocher and Catherine Grogan. It’s an honour to now have the addition of Ellie at the GQ leadership table and we look forward to seeing the undoubtedly positive contribution she will have on the culture, direction, and success of the firm.
"Ellie has quickly and deservedly earned the trust and confidence of the partners and her appointment aligns with our commitment to expanding our expertise in critical areas of law that impact our clients. Ellie’s deep understanding of the healthcare sector, combined with her broad litigation and regulatory compliance experience, enable us to further enhance the services offered to our clients, particularly at a time when the healthcare industry faces increasing legal challenges and regulatory scrutiny."
- Alice Tocher
Troy Wano, Alice Tocher, Richard Lyttelton, Catherine Grogan, Lauren Wallace, Ellie Wilson, Paul Franklin, and Richard Williams
From the blog
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