Bankside is delighted to announce that Brian Dickey, Tiana Epati, and Sarah Jerebine have been appointed King’s Counsel, in recognition for their meeting the overarching criterion of excellence in their career in the law.
Attorney-General Judith Collins confirmed the appointment of 12 King’s Counsel today: “The standards to be appointed King’s Counsel are extremely high and I am delighted that our legal profession continues to feature such distinguished individuals.”
Eleven barristers in total have been appointed, from 107 applicants: Brian Dickey, Tiana Epati, Kevin Glover, Katie Hogan, Sarah Jerebine, Paul Keegan, Simon Ladd, Richard Marchant, Balthazar Matheson, Matthew Smith, and Alan Webb.
“All of our new King’s Counsel have demonstrated a particular commitment to improving access to justice alongside their excellent work as advisors and litigators,” said Ms Collins. “They all have strong links to their communities and significant instances of pro bono, legally aided and similar work. I congratulate each of them and their families on their appointment.”
Chief Parliamentary Counsel Cassie Nicholson was also appointed King’s Counsel.
Bankside congratulates Brian, Tiana, and Sarah, and all other new King’s Counsel on their appointment.
Brian Dickey
Brian Dickey is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most senior litigators and dispute-resolution specialists.
Previously Crown Solicitor for Auckland, Brian’s commercial focus is front-line advocacy on large and complex cases, such as the nine-week High Court trial of Green & McCahill Holdings Limited v Williams.
Appointed by the Coalition Government as Chief Crown Negotiator for Treaty of Waitangi claims for the Ngāpuhi and Hauraki groups, Brian also advises other iwi on commercial and land matters.
Tiana Epati
Tiana Epati is a senior litigation lawyer with expertise in complex regulatory and serious criminal investigations with particular expertise in appeals and reviews.
Tiana has appeared as lead counsel in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in over 100 appeals against interlocutory proceedings, extradition, conviction and sentence. She has also appeared as independent counsel to assist the Court of Appeal, the Coroners Court and the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State Care and Faith-based Institutions.
A former Crown prosecutor in both Auckland and Wellington, Tiana is a member of the Serious Fraud Office Prosecution Panel and Crown Solicitors Panel. She undertakes regulatory advice and proceedings for Crown entities and private clients including inquiry work and civil work, particularly in the Māori commercial field.
Tiana is an established leader in the legal profession and community. Tiana was President of the New Zealand Law Society from 2019 to 2022. She was the fourth female President, the first President of Pasifika descent, and one of the youngest people to ever serve in the role.
Sarah Jerebine
A highly experienced civil litigation lawyer, Sarah Jerebine has particular expertise in public law and commercial litigation gained in leading national practices both in New Zealand and the UK.
Sarah has acted primarily for Government as Crown Counsel, has frequently appeared in the High Court and Court of Appeal, and has also appeared in the Supreme Court.
Sarah also has extensive experience in medico-legal matters, having appeared for and against large private health care providers, health care professionals, regulators, and pharmaceutical companies, both in New Zealand and the UK.
In the media
beehive.govt.nz/release/king%E2%80%99s-counsel-appointments-2025
tpplus.co.nz/community/barrister-tiana-epati-named-as-one-of-12-kings-counsel/
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