BERRY SIMONS - Key Persons
Adelaide joined Berry Simons in January 2023, having emigrated to New Zealand from the United Kingdom. She has recently completed her professional legal studies course and is looking forward to being admitted as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand later in 2024.
Prior to joining Berry Simons, Adelaide was a paralegal at the Government Legal Department in London, where she supported solicitors on civil litigation claims in the Justice and Development Department. Adelaide has completed a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Nottingham, including a year abroad at the National University of Singapore.
Adelaide has enjoyed the challenges of navigating a new legal system.
"The nature of Environmental law means that no two days are the same at Berry Simons. It is a credit to the team who navigate this with professionalism, cutting through the noise to obtain the best outcomes for client. It is refreshing to work with and learn from such a supportive and fun team."
After spending the summer of 2020-2021 as a clerk with Berry Simons, Anika joined the firm as a full time graduate in January 2022 and was admitted as a solicitor in October 2022.
Anika graduated from Otago University in 2021 with a conjoint Laws and Arts degree, majoring in Politics. Being involved in Environmental Law has enabled Anika to combine two of her key passions - the law and the environment. Working at Berry Simons has made Anika realise just how much politics influences Environmental Law.
Anika enjoys the constant challenge of the tightrope that Environmental Law needs to walk, balancing the interests of people and society with protecting the environment and natural resources. This kind of problem solving is what Anika values and enjoys the most in her work at Berry Simons. She says:
The balancing of issues and interests does not feel theoretical any more - it lies at the centre of what we do every day at Berry Simons. I feel privileged to be working as part of such a strong and highly motivated team here at Berry Simons. They are forward thinkers and I know I will quickly learn the skills and knowledge that will allow me to be successful here. We have a lot of fun too.
On weekends you'll catch Anika on the netball courts coaching or playing for her local club team. Outside of the netball season, Anika enjoys travelling Aotearoa's beautiful coastline and discovering hidden spots.
Babette joined Berry Simons as a Summer Law Clerk in November 2022 and worked with the team as a Law Clerk in her last semester at university. Babette graduated in 2023 with both a Law degree from the University of Auckland and a Science degree (majoring in Environmental Studies) from Victoria University of Wellington. She was admitted as a solicitor in February 2024.
Babette has a strong passion for the environment and looks forward to developing this further with Berry Simons. She says:
Starting my career with Berry Simons has been an invaluable experience. The team at Berry Simons has made the transition from university into the legal workforce seamless, and I could not be surrounded by more conscientious and kind people. I look forward to working alongside our team of experts to achieve exceptional outcomes for our clients.
Outside of work, Babette enjoys spending time with her friends and family, cooking, photography, and experiencing many of the beautiful beaches Aotearoa has to offer.
Chris studied Laws and Applied Science (majoring in Environmental Management) at the University of Otago, graduating in 2012, and was admitted as a solicitor in 2013. He has been with Berry Simons since 2016.
Prior to joining the Berry Simons team, Chris worked in an Environmental Law team in the South Island. In his 7 years in the field, Chris has gained experience in all facets of Environmental Law, from consenting processes, district and regional planning, strategic advice and advocacy. He has worked on a wide variety of matters, and assists public and private clients of all types.
With his background in Science and Laws, Chris found his passion in Environmental law, and the interaction between people and place. He believes strategic planning is the key toward achieving more effective resolutions for clients, and our environment. He says:
Whether it's future planning, development works, protection of the natural environment or establishment of the built one, there is an environmental component to everything we do as people; it's all-encompassing. Nothing can be done without considering the environment, and that thinking is shown in our approach.
Chris has always held a curiosity for the natural world, and in the weekend you'll likely find him outdoors, tramping, fishing or camping and exploring Aotearoa New Zealand.
After achieving a conjoint degree in Law (Honours) and Social Sciences from Waikato University, Craig was admitted to the bar in 2001. Prior to that he had been an Avionics Engineer with the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Craig has more than 20 years' experience as an Environmental lawyer. He started his legal career with five years in the Environmental team of a large firm before joining Simon Berry's chambers as a specialist barrister in 2006. He joined Berry Simons when the firm was established in 2012.
A very talented lawyer with strong technical skills and a keen eye for detail, Craig has extensive experience in all aspects of Environmental and Resource Management Law, with a particular focus on infrastructure and energy projects.
Preparing for cases and organising large volumes of content in a way that tells a compelling story is a challenge. But the reward is making the point for the client and obtaining a great outcome.
Outside the office, Craig enjoys music, sports and socialising.
Olivia joined Berry Simons in September 2022 after just under two years of doing compliance and enforcement work for Auckland Council. She was admitted as a solicitor in November 2022.
Originally from rural Canterbury, Olivia studied at the University of Canterbury and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Science degrees in December 2020.
Olivia has combined her background in Law and Science to develop her passion for Environmental Law. Olivia enjoys the challenge of navigating the interaction between the law and the multi-faceted aspects of the way we protect, manage, and use the environment. She is excited by the evolving and transformative phase that Environmental Law in New Zealand is currently undergoing.
I'm delighted to have made the move to private practice at Berry Simons which is an excellent firm to learn in due to the depth and breadth of the team's knowledge and experience, alongside our commitment to achieving our clients' objectives while ensuring that environmental quality is maintained.
I thoroughly enjoy the positive workplace culture and strong team approach at Berry Simons, which is reflected in the team's friendly and supportive nature.
Outside of the office, Olivia enjoys the outdoors and backcountry that Aotearoa New Zealand has to offer. You'll likely find her tramping, snow skiing, gardening, or helping on the family farm.
Job Titles:
- Founding Partner
- Specialist
Simon Berry is a specialist Environmental and Resource Management lawyer with more than 40 years' experience in the field. More than 20 years was spent as a partner in two major law firms followed by eight years as a specialist Environmental barrister before co-founding Berry Simons with Sue Simons in early 2012.
Simon has experience in all aspects of the Environmental law field and regularly represents clients before regional and district councils and the Environment Court. He has assisted his clients to obtain approvals for land development; electricity (generation and distribution); water and wastewater, as well as legal and policy advice to private clients, central and local government. Simon describes his approach as ‘principled pragmatism'. He likes to work closely with his clients, consent agencies, iwi and key stakeholders to achieve results.
I like to work closely with my clients and key consultants to progressively and constructively remove the "why nots?" that are in the way of a project. A well-constructed case at council level often results in avoiding an Environment Court hearing and sometimes even removes the need for a council hearing.
Simon is frequently appointed as an independent hearing commissioner, and has a Chair's certification.
Simon's skills and achievements are recognised by a number of industry awards.
Simon loves music and plays the saxophone - in his own time enjoys rehearsing with his bands. He also enjoys reading and spending time at his bach on Tikapa Moana / Firth of Thames.
Steph joined Berry Simons as a solicitor in October 2021 after two years doing corporate work in one of the large ‘top tier' law firms. She graduated from Auckland University in 2019 with a conjoint Law and Arts degree and was admitted as a solicitor in October 2020.
Steph is passionate about the natural environment both internationally and in New Zealand (particularly our native fauna) and is fascinated by the impact of Environmental Law on the natural environment. She sees her move to Berry Simons as an opportunity to better understand the interaction between Environmental Law and natural systems at what is a transformative and important period in the development of New Zealand's Environmental Law.
Steph has already worked on a number of resource consent applications and a major due diligence exercise. She says:
What I think sets Berry Simons apart from the rest is the passion that each member of the Berry Simons team brings for Environmental Law and Practice, and to producing positive outcomes that balance the myriad of competing issues and interests. I have already learned a great deal and look forward to honing my skills as time goes on.
Sue Simons has been at the forefront of Environmental and Resource Management Law for more than 35 years, working in every aspect of the field. Sue has the breadth of experience to handle the most complex and controversial of projects.
Sue is known as a formidable litigator and presence in court, with a career that features a number of precedent-setting decisions and successes across the varied fields of Environmental and Planning law. Fast thinking and determination are applied to projects across the Environmental legal spectrum.
Best known for obtaining consents for a broad range of large-scale urban planning work including numerous successful CBD, urban and coastal residential developments and mixed use projects, and major greenfield and brownfield developments.
Sue led precedent-setting cases against development contributions imposed on property developers by Auckland-based councils, provides complex opinion work on aspects of the Resource Management Act and frequently works in the difficult areas of heritage scheduling and RMA prosecutions.
In November 2016, Sue won the prestigious Award for Excellence and the Industry Associate Award at the Property Council of New Zealand Auckland Property People Awards for her contribution to the Property and Development industries.
Sue believes that taking the time to truly understand a client's business is the key to finding a strategic, workable answer.
I like the novel, ground-breaking or contentious cases and if it is a tough job, our determination will see clients through to a successful conclusion. In the Environment Court I'm the type of litigator who throws everything into the case and doesn't back down. Clients enjoy our style.
Sue enjoys learning and is an avid reader and podcast-listener. She likes to keep fit attending Barre, walking and hiking long distances, both in New Zealand and overseas.