Shan Wilson

Shan is Simpson Grierson’s dedicated pro bono partner, a role that was created at the start of 2020. She helps to lead and implement their commitment to investing in New Zealand’s future through practical, hands-on legal support that makes a positive difference in people’s lives.

Simpson Grierson recognises that accessing legal advice can be difficult for disadvantaged and low-income individuals and groups within their communities. Their pro bono practice is about providing legal assistance for these community members, working with and through the non-profit organisations that support them.

Shan is focused on developing their pro bono practice, expanding its scope and ensuring their pro bono efforts deliver great outcomes for the community. She leads and encourages their legal staff to find opportunities to give back as part of their professional experience.

Prior to taking up this role, Shan was a partner in their employment law team, clocking up 28 years of experience advising many leading businesses and public sector organisations. She also worked extensively with the education sector advising school boards on governance issues, student discipline matters, and all manner of issues arising from the Education Act.

Shan considers her experiences as an employment and education lawyer were instrumental in her decision to move into the role of pro bono partner, as those areas of law immersed her in people based issues and the need to find workable solutions.

Outside of her legal roles, Shan has maintained a wide involvement in the community. She currently sits on the Boards of both a primary school (Te Matauranga School) and secondary school (King’s College) and throughout her legal career Shan has also taken up other opportunities to contribute into the community, from being a Committee Member for the Auckland Women Lawyers Association as a junior solicitor, to sitting on the Board of the Auckland YWCA for several years.