Briony Davies > MinterEllisonRuddWatts > Wellington, New Zealand > Lawyer Profile

MinterEllisonRuddWatts
125 THE TERRACE
WELLINGTON
New Zealand

Work Department

Litigation and Dispute Resolution - Public law and regulation

Position

Partner

Career

Briony is an experienced adviser and advocate in public law and regulatory matters. Her expertise lies in developing and applying regulatory frameworks, public law litigation and dispute resolution, privacy and data protection, regulatory compliance and enforcement, and crisis management.

Briony provides a wide range of strategic, legal, and litigation advice to both government sector and corporate clients. Her clients operate across the electricity, local government, disaster response, film and media, tourism, transport, and health sectors. She is the go-to public law adviser for a wide range of Crown entities seeking to successfully operate, and mitigate risk, in complex regulatory environments.

Briony is a strategic thinker who approaches problems in a methodical and rational manner. She is also a skilled communicator, who has a reputation for managing interpersonal relationships with diplomacy, authenticity, and respect.

Trusted by her clients to navigate their most challenging issues with integrity and care, Briony focuses on achieving successful outcomes for those she represents. She assists clients in managing the complex intersections between government, business growth, and regulation. This includes advising extensively on the scope and exercise of statutory functions and powers, regulatory compliance and risk, public sector governance and delegations, Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi obligations, utility price and access control, transport and maritime safety regulation, and official information.

An experienced litigator, Briony represents clients in significant litigation including judicial reviews, declaratory proceedings, and merits appeals across the arts, lifeline utilities, local government, and transport sectors.

New Zealand and overseas-based entities across a range of sectors also seek Briony’s help with their privacy, confidentiality, and data protection obligations. Her expertise includes privacy risk management, resolution of privacy complaints and disputes, and cyber security risk management. She is regularly called upon to help clients navigate new and emerging privacy compliance issues.

Lawyer Rankings

New Zealand > Data protection and cyber security

Privacy and data protection issues handled by MinterEllisonRuddWatts include advising its client roster on handling regulators; advising on privacy risks associated with emerging tech such as AI; and representing clients in privacy disputes before the Human Rights Review Tribunal. Wellington-based co-head Briony Davies frequently acts for clients in privacy complaints and disputes. In Auckland, fellow co-head Richard Wells, praised for his ‘calmness and frankness’, has a proven track record assisting clients in their management of high-profile data breaches. Also in Auckland, June Hardacre and senior associate Suzy McMillan are key contacts.