We are pleased to announce that partners Alexia Mayer and Tonia Brugh have been named on NZ Lawyer’s 2023 Elite Women list.

In June, NZ Lawyer invited legal professionals from across the country to nominate exceptional female leaders for the third annual Elite Women list. Nominees had to be working in a role related to the legal profession and had influenced the profession in a way that demonstrated a passion for the law.

Alexia, a litigation partner, is a founding member of the Culture & Diversity Committee at James & Wells. Alexia is passionate about inclusion, equity, and creating enabling rather than disabling work environments and, for example, has proposed and championed the following initiatives: pay transparency at senior levels; gender pay audits; unconscious bias training; mentoring; and raising awareness of neurodiversity.

Tonia, a trade mark partner, weaves her Pasifika background and culture into her unique way of working with her clients. She focuses on long-term connection and authentic relationship building, placing people and connection at the forefront of everything she does. Tonia walks with her clients for their whole journey – she works to empower her clients to succeed on their own merit and supports them along the way.