Hilary Grant

Litigator Hilary Grant joined AWS Legal in early 2010, fresh from a London-based leadership role at one of the world's top-10 law firms.

The born-and-bred Southlander divides her working week between our firm's Invercargill and Gore offices, providing business, rural and private clients "on-the-ground" support and advice.

Graduating from Otago University in 2003 with a law degree and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in geography, she began her legal career working for a major Christchurch firm.

There she specialised in civil litigation, with much of her caseload centred on an international insurance company, defending a broad range of professional indemnity claims, as well as OSH prosecutions and general litigation.

Nearly four years later during her OE, Hilary's skills, attributes and strong Kiwi work ethic were snapped up by elite global firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.

Assigned to a division representing one of the firm's largest clients she quickly worked her way up the ranks to lead the team, which headed up the multi-national's regulatory and compliance work.

It was a complex, multi-faceted role. Hilary oversaw the implementation and co-ordination of a comprehensive regulatory monitoring programme throughout more than 120 countries, advice on European Union policy, as well as government lobbying and negotiation.

"The nature of the client meant there was a large element of technical and bureaucratic work, but that was balanced by a significant emphasis on leadership and relationship management, which I really enjoyed," Hilary says.

Returning to Southland, Hilary has come "full circle" to settle back in her hometown of Gore - where her family still farms - with partner Todd, who is also a farmer.

Working out of both AWS Legal's Invercargill and Gore offices, she says, allows her to be readily available for clients in both areas, and also means Eastern Southland clients have easy access to a "full service" office.

"While I cover the full spectrum of dispute resolution work, from risk assessment and management to Court work, we have rural, business and private client specialists working out of Gore, as well, which just adds to the convenience and seamless service for our clients.

"As a litigation specialist, a lot of my work relies on strong communication and building really good relationships, and clients value being able to meet and talk face-to-face on their own turf."

Away from the office, Hilary loves cooking, the great outdoors, running, biking, yoga and working out at the gym.