EXCELLENCE AWARDEE: LEAP Legal Software Mid-Size Law Firm of the Year

Cooney Lees Morgan

David Huebel

President

David Huebel is a seasoned business executive with over 30 years of experience leading successful companies in the commercial insurance and reinsurance industry both in Canada and elsewhere. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto, and is a Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP). As President of Ecclesiastical Insurance Canada, David leads and is responsible for the company’s strategy, long-term planning, and financial performance, while leveraging the trilateral business model to ensure brokers and customers benefit from exemplary service and specialist expertise. He is passionate about giving back and inspires his entire team with the spirit of creating a Movement for Good.

President

David Huebel

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As an independent, forward-thinking girls’ school we are committed to preparing girls for a lifetime of learning, leadership and engagement in our global community. We believe in girls. At Ruyton Girls’ School we foster the individuality of each girl in a caring and safe environment, nurturing her intellectual, physical, social and emotional qualities that are essential to flourish. Powerful learning is central to the Ruyton culture, building on our strong academic reputation. We focus on advancing the learning of every girl through the engagement of intellectual curiosity, building their knowledge and skills about how to learn, and supporting them to achieve their personal best and be exemplary citizens. We believe in real-world learning beyond the classroom, collaborating with the wider community to promote growth, discovery and sustainability. We empower our girls to lead lives of purpose with courage, character and compassion. Through the development of values and action-focused learning they are inspired to pursue equity and justice for self and others. By embracing diversity and raising their voices, our girls effect positive change and make a difference.

For the third year running, Cooney Lees Morgan has been recognised as an Excellence Awardee in the Mid-Size Law Firm of the Year category at the New Zealand Law Awards 2024. This reflects the exceptional work we have done firmwide for our clients in the past financial year, including helping Gisborne District Council take enforcement action in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, and the strong performance of our employment law, family law and property and development teams in the face of current economic challenges. We also continue to provide substantial financial support for the wider Bay of Plenty community and charitable causes, and CLM is now a Rainbow Tick accredited employer in recognition of our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Meanwhile, we continue to be the only Bay of Plenty law firm that officially has a CEO. Cecilia Burgess joined us in October 2021 and immediately rolled up her sleeves to help give us a leading edge in all aspects of our business operation. These accolades, while personally satisfying for all our staff and Partners, reflect the level of legal expertise we have right here in the Bay of Plenty. Our firm has a long history of attracting top talent to Tauranga, thanks to the lifestyle our region can offer and the calibre of our clients.

Erin Gattoni

Vice president human resources

Erin is responsible for the strategic direction and management of HR in Canada in support of the company’s strategic plans. She oversees and directs the development and implementation of strategic and operational objectives for talent management, change management, recruitment, compensation, and other human resources initiatives. In addition, Erin works with the wider leadership team to foster a values-based and stronger performance-driven culture, while furthering the organization’s diversity and inclusion agenda. Erin has a Bachelor of Science, SSP Honors, Life Science from Queen’s University and holds a Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.

Vice president human resources

Erin Gattoni

Craig Thompson

Chief Technology Officer

Craig Thompson has spent over 21 years building and implementing technology solutions across the financial services, legal and hospitality sectors to unlock new business capabilities, drive efficiency and solve business problems. Prior to joining Brighten, Craig worked at MA Financial Group as Head of Technology across its asset management, corporate advisory and lending divisions. Craig was responsible for the development and delivery of MA’s IT strategy, transformation program and technology roadmap.

Chief Technology Officer

Craig Thompson

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