Fee Langstone is a commercial litigation firm with a strong focus on insurance-related disputes. Philippa Fee has extensive experience in commercial litigation and dispute resolution, often acting for insurers and their insured clients. Craig Langstone has appeared frequently in the New Zealand courts as lead counsel and also works extensively in mediation. Virginia Wethey's practice centres on professional indemnity litigation. Russell Stewart and Matthew Atkinson have wide experience in defending negligence claims and handling disciplinary and regulatory proceedings involving professionals. Bradley Alcorn was promoted to partner in February 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team is led by two experts in insurance litigation – proactive, timely, and always putting the client first.'
- 'Fee Langstone are the most experienced firm in NZ, highly respected for dispute resolution expertise.'
- 'Philippa Fee is exceptional – pragmatic, strategic, and always securing the best outcome for her clients.'
- 'Philippa Fee – common sense and practical; Angus Wakeman – detail-focused with strong commercial instincts.'
- 'Their strength in the area of audit negligence is remarkable.'
- 'In my view they have the best lawyers in New Zealand, with hands-on involvement across every detail of a case.'
Key clients
- EY
- Frank’s International
- Grant Thornton
- KPMG Ireland
- KPMG New Zealand
- Lloyds of London (various syndicates)
- NCI Commercial Collections
- NTI Limited
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- QBE European Operations
- QBE Insurance (Australia) Ltd
- NZI & NZI Marine
Work highlights
Acting for Chapman Tripp in defending High Court class action proceedings in relation to the initial public offering (IPO) of shares and subsequent collapse of the Intuieri Education Group in 2017. The proceeding was set down for trial in April 2015 but settled in September 2024.
Assisting Ernst & Young to defend defamation proceedings brought against one of its former liquidators.
Aiding Maersk Connect New Zealand Limited and its parent company, Aersk AS following serous health and safety incidents aboard cargo vessels.
Practice head
Philippa Fee; Craig Langstone; Virginia Wethey; Russell Stewart; Cecily Brick; Matthew Atkinson; Bradley Alcorn