Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
Chantelle Holland is an associate at McCaw Lewis, specialising in employment law and relationship property within the workplace law and dispute resolution teams. She is dedicated to providing professional legal advice while maintaining a strong sense of empathy, particularly in sensitive matters such as separations, where clients are often navigating emotional challenges. Her approach prioritises achieving favourable outcomes for her clients, with a preference for mediation and collaborative dispute resolution over the complexities of court proceedings.
Her professional journey has been deeply shaped by the mentors at McCaw Lewis, a firm she aspired to join from her time in law school. These mentors have played a crucial role in helping her navigate intricate legal issues while also demonstrating that success in law is multifaceted and can be defined in different ways. Holland embodies the firm’s core values of cooperation, care and excellence, and she thrives on building strong, trusting relationships with clients, colleagues and other legal professionals. This ability to connect allows her to craft tailored solutions for each case, ensuring the best possible outcomes for those she represents.
As an emerging lawyer, Holland is committed to continuous learning and professional growth. She actively seeks new knowledge, asks insightful questions and embraces every opportunity to improve. With a strong start to her career, she is determined to expand her capabilities and ultimately become a leader in the industry. Her dedication to personal and professional development is matched by her commitment to service excellence and her support of colleagues, reflecting her deep involvement in both her profession and the broader community.
L6/586 Victoria Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3204
0273 996 908
Chantelle.Holland@mccawlewis.co.nz
linkedin.com/in/chantelletyler
mccawlewis.co.nz
Chantelle Holland
Associate
McCaw Lewis Lawyers
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“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
2018–2020
2020
2024
2024
Present
Law Clerk at McCaw Lewis Lawyers
2018–
2020
Admitted to the bar
2020
Associate at McCaw Lewis Lawyers
2024
Recognised as a Key Lawyer in the 2024 edition of the Legal500 Asia Pacific rankings in Labour and Employment, Workplace Health and Safety
2024
Senior Associate at Piper Alderman since 2022
Recognised as a Key Lawyer in the 2025 edition of the Legal500 Asia Pacific rankings in Labour and Employment, Workplace Health and Safety
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
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