Profile

Zoe advises on a wide range of complex commercial disputes. She has particular experience in the construction and energy sectors, and in international and domestic arbitration. She also advises and acts for clients in relation to professional liability, insurance, tort and contract matters and has recent experience with class actions and regulatory investigations.

Zoe returned to Gilbert Walker in 2020 after spending seven years practising international arbitration at Shearman & Sterling LLP in Singapore, Paris and London. She represented multi-national firms in major commercial and investment treaty arbitrations conducted under the ICC, SIAC and ICSID rules in the construction, energy and infrastructure sectors

Zoe was among the top three graduates in her law school class, being awarded a Senior Scholarship in Law from the University of Auckland in 2010.

She is a member of the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand, and a member of the Auckland Women’s Law Association.

Credentials

  • LLB (Hons) / BA (Auckland)

  • Admitted in New Zealand (2010) and England & Wales (2017)

Experience

  • acting for two listed Australasian construction contractors in relation to a professional negligence claim against the designers of a major roading infrastructure project, and a related insurance dispute

  • acting for a major accounting firm facing a professional negligence claim in a High Court class action arising out of the collapse of listed education company

  • acting for "combustible" cladding supplier in a High Court class action commenced by current and former building owners relating to the safety of the cladding product for use on buildings

  • acting for a New Zealand bank in relation to a regulatory investigation under the CCCFA, including the imposition of a pecuniary penalty

  • acting for a New Zealand electricity "gentailer" in multiple arbitrations relating to disputes arising out of hedge contracts

  • acting for a New Zealand oil and gas company in an international arbitration in Singapore in a dispute arising from a drilling contract

  • acting for a major New Zealand energy services company in relation to disputes with corporate customers arising out of a change in its business model

  • acting for two international construction contractors in an ICC arbitration in London concerning the construction of a major hospital in Qatar

  • acting for a nuclear power plant supplier in an ICC arbitration in Stockholm concerning the construction of a nuclear power facility in Finland