Rachael Brown

Rachael specialises in public and administrative law, Māori legal issues and employment law. Rachael builds strong client relationships and is a trusted advisor to organisations in both the public and private sector.

Rachael is a litigator who has experience across a range of areas. She provides advice on public and employment law obligations, and appears as counsel in the Courts and the Employment Relations Authority, and in mediations.

Rachael has particular expertise in Māori legal issues. She has acted for a number of iwi and Māori organisations on matters such as settlement negotiations with the Crown, challenges to mandates and representation in both the Waitangi Tribunal and the Courts, and post settlement issues. She has also advised clients in both the public and private sector on their obligations to, and relationships with, Māori. Doyles Guide 2021 ranks Rachael as a recommended lawyer for Māori Law, Māori Land and Te Tiriti o Waitangi matters in New Zealand.

Rachael is ranked as a leading lawyer for public law in Chambers Asia Pacific 2022. She is recognised for assisting clients on a variety of public law-related issues and is particularly noted for her experience across litigation, employment law and Māori legal issues, with the current edition stating that she is “clearly an expert in her field” and combines a willingness to “allow clients to choose how much guidance they want”​ with “not being afraid to tell it how it is and deliver hard truths,”​ all within a context of “both immediate and long-term interests.”​ In a previous edition, clients noted her “ability to think laterally”​ and “clarity of thinking.”​

Rachael is also ranked as a leading labour and employment lawyer in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2022 where Rachael is described as “outstanding” with a client noting “her astuteness, approachability and quiet humour, combined with her expertise and wisdom, made a somewhat tortuous situation navigable”​. She has also been ranked in previous editions where clients have applauded her team's “responsiveness”​ and “ability to continually deliver during an extremely challenging period”​ and noted that Rachael “is highly adept at managing expectations”​​… “her pragmatic approach to providing advice and guidance and her ability to cut to the heart of the matter… is a key strength”.

Rachael was named as one of New Zealand Lawyer’s Elite Women 2021 which showcases women around the country who are working inside their firms, the profession and the community who are making real and positive change for good.

In 2009 Rachael was appointed by the Minister of Internal Affairs on the recommendation of the Attorney-General to chair the Forum for Complainants of Police Misconduct.