Felicity is an experienced civil and commercial litigator who takes a pragmatic approach to the resolution of disputes. She has assisted clients involved in a wide range of disputes relating to contract and tort issues, insolvency, relationship property and trust disputes, telecommunications, insurance and shipping and admiralty claims. She has appeared as counsel in the courts at all levels and has assisted clients in mediations, arbitrations and commercial settlements.
As well as conducting litigation, Felicity has also provided in-depth strategic advice and legal analysis in a variety of areas.
As a dispute resolution specialist, she is recognised as a ranked lawyer for in Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific Rankings, as a Distinguished Practitioner in Dispute Resolution in Asia Law Profiles and as a litigation star in Benchmark Litigation. Her expertise in specialist areas is also recognised through rankings in Chambers and Partners for Shipping, and, in the Asia Pacific Legal 500, as a leading individual in Transport and a Next Generation Partner in both Competition Law and Insurance.
She holds a LLB (Hons) and LLM (First Class) from the University of Auckland. She was admitted to the bar in 2007 and has been with Wilson Harle since then, becoming a partner in 2017. She is an active member of the New Zealand Law Society’s Civil Litigation and Tribunals Committee.
Acting for One New Zealand Limited in relation to a number of contentious legal issues, including numerous regulatory proceedings and prosecutions.
Acting for trustees of family trusts in relation to disputes with beneficiaries and third parties relating to trust assets and management.
Acting for the beneficiaries of family trusts in relation to complex trust disputes, and challenges to trustee actions, including seeking removal and replacement of trustees.
Acting for a solar-energy retailer in relation to a dispute with a supplier of batteries. Acting for private clients involved in complex relationship property disputes and related trust family and estate disputes.
Acting for shareholders in a dispute related to the buy-out of shares in privately-held companies.
Acting for directors of a company in an urgent application for injunctive relief under the Companies Act for removal of another director, and in the arbitration of the broader intra-shareholder/director dispute bringing it to a successful commercial resolution.
Acting for the New Zealand Law Society as intervener in relation to an appeal to the Court of Appeal which invited the Court to make changes to the ability of family-members of deceased victims to seek damages for their death: Hawkins v Te Hei [2025] NZCA 32.
Acting for a large international fashion retailer in an arbitrated dispute with its landlord in relation to late delivery of the premises for its first New Zealand store.
Acting for a landowner in a dispute with an electricity network owner, including successfully defending an injunction proceeding brought by the network owner and resolving issues through mediation.
Acting for a landlord involved in a dispute with tenants relating to access to the property, including the management of an injunction application, referral of the dispute to arbitration and the commercial resolution of the issue.