Bankside congratulates member Anna Adams on her appointment as Solicitor-General and Chief Executive of the Crown Law Office.
Attorney-General Judith Collins KC made the announcement on behalf of the Government this afternoon.
“Ms Adams is an outstanding lawyer and leader,” Ms Collins said. “She is widely respected for her judgement, integrity and commitment to the law. I am confident she will provide strong and effective leadership at Crown Law and continue the high standards expected of the Solicitor-General.”
Anna is a national-level expert in public, health and regulatory law with over 25 years’ experience in advisory work and litigation, ranging from large-scale public cases through to small, personal matters. She has appeared as lead counsel in more than 100 cases in the District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal, as well as complex coronial inquiries and major inquiries.
Before joining Bankside in 2023, Anna was a partner at Meredith Connell for over fifteen years, including chair of the firm’s board for four years, and a Crown prosecutor.
She is a member of the New Zealand and New York Bars and a graduate of Yale Law School and the University of Auckland. She also holds governance roles, including on the board of PHARMAC.
The Solicitor-General is appointed by the Governor-General and is a key constitutional role.
Anna will serve as the Crown’s principal legal adviser, providing advice to the Prime Minister, the Attorney-General and Cabinet, and will lead the Crown Law Office.
Anna’s distinguished appointment as Solicitor-General is a first for a Bankside member. Bankside is also home to former Attorney-General Hon Chris Finlayson KC.
“We are absolutely thrilled for Anna,” says Bankside Board Chair Philip Skelton KC. “We have no doubt that she will be an outstanding Solicitor-General.”
Anna will be Aotearoa New Zealand’s 18th Solicitor-General and succeeds Una Jagose KC, who completed ten years in the role in February 2026.
“I am honoured by this appointment and grateful for the Government’s confidence in me,” says Anna. “Through the Solicitor-General role and the teamwork of the Crown Law Office, I intend to deliver the Crown and the people it serves with high-quality legal advice, robust representation in the country’s courts and measurable legal outcomes in the community. This is an exciting and energising opportunity and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Anna begins her five-year appointment on 11 May 2026.
Comment