Profile
"West Oak’s success has come from always putting our clients’ best interests first and always finding ways to improve and add more value to them"
Andrew mcquiston,
west oak family office, wellington-altus private wealth
Richard Hargreaves is someone who makes it a priority to look after his clients’ best interests. The senior associate, who focuses on insurance defence as part of Wynn Williams’ dispute resolution team, has built a reputation as “the hairdresser who cuts other hairdressers’ hair” for his proficiency in defending other lawyers in relation to their professional indemnity policies.
“Other legal professionals trust him to defend their practices, livelihoods and reputations. He is frequently requested specifically from insurers’ panels by lawyers he has defended before,” Wynn Williams shares.
“The nature of his work is normally highly sensitive and confidential, and this discretion means that his most successful work has not reached
open court.”
Even though he is based in Christchurch, Hargreaves is sought after by clients across the country. Although he is known for his defence of fellow lawyers, the insurers he works with have also directed him to act for architects, brokers and real estate agents, among others. He has appeared before the High Court, District Court and the New Zealand Law Society Lawyers Complaints Service.
Professional indemnity defence has generally been a practice area focused in Auckland only, however, Richard’s presence in Christchurch is appreciated by professionals in other parts of the country,” Wynn Williams says. “Of note, there have been four stories reported across national media in the past year, where Richard acted for the professionals involved (two lawyers and two real estate agents).”
He acted for a major insurer on earthquake-related concerns brought by insurance policyholders, and has also provided guidance on fire and general insurance claims. He has knowledge of all aspects of policy interpretation and claims response.
Handling sensitive issues such as professional disciplinary complaints and negligence accusations brings much stress, and Hargreaves has made it a point to look after his clients’ mental health and wellbeing as well.
“Richard has completed training around wellness and mental health to undertake his legal work in a way that defends a client’s mental wellbeing as well as their legal issues,” Wynn Williams says. “This often means taking additional time to explain procedure, and focusing on the need to separate the legal issues from self-worth and personal wellbeing.”
Despite the pandemic restrictions, he makes an effort to be accessible to clients through Zoom and Teams meetings. His reputation for honesty and fairness has also earned him respect from regulatory investigators.
“Richard is known in the firm as a leader. Given his expertise he is used frequently as a sounding board for ethical problems by partners and junior lawyers alike,” partner Emily Walton says.
Richard has mentored junior lawyers across Wynn Williams’ offices in Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown, and has helped them to refine their craft by delegating and overseeing their work.
He is admitted as a barrister in England and Wales, and obtained his degree from Oxford University. He started with Wynn Williams as a foreign-qualified law clerk in 2012 before cross-qualifying in 2013.
Richard Hargreaves
Senior Associate
Wynn Williams
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Richard Hargreaves
Senior Associate
Wynn Williams
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Richard Hargreaves
Senior Associate
Wynn Williams
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
2020
2019
2018
2020-2021
2014-2022
2020
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Received Best Lawyer in Canada Award (Employment and Labour Law)
2020
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2019
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
TeD Talk Speaker
2019
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2018
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
title of milestone
2018
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2020-2021
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Received Lexology Client Choice Award (Labour and Employment – Canada)
2020-2021
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2014-2022
human resources | key media
Received Best Lawyer in Canada Award (Employment and Labour Law)
2014-2022
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Milestones
Career Accolades
2012-present
2010
2006-2009
2012–present
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Senior Associate at Wynn Williams
Acknowledged by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
2012–present
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2010
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Admitted to the bar (England and Wales)
2010
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2006–2009
human resources | key media
University of Oxford
2006–2009
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Career Highlights
2012–present
2010
2006–2009
2012–present
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Senior Associate at Wynn Williams
Acknowledged by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
2012–present
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2010
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Admitted to the bar (England and Wales
2010
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2006–2009
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
University of Oxford
2006–2009
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Milestones
Milestones
wynnwilliams.co.nz
linkedin.com/in/richard-hargreaves-109929b2
richard.hargreaves@wynnwilliams.co.nz
+64 22 068 5218 / +64 3 379 7622
Level 5, Wynn Williams House, 47 Hereford Street, Christchurch 8013
2020
2019
2018
2020-2021
2014-2022
2020
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Receive an excellence award
2020
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2019
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
TeD Talk Speaker
2019
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2018
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
title of milestone
2018
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2020-2021
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Received Lexology
Client Choice Award
(Labour and Employment – Canada)
2020-2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2014-2022
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Received Best Lawyer in
Canada Award
(Employment and Labour Law)
2014-2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Career Accolades
Milestones
2012–present
2010
2006–2009
2012–present
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Senior Associate at Wynn Williams
Acknowledged by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
2012–present
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2010
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Admitted to the bar (England and Wales)
2010
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2006–2009
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
University of Oxford
2006–2009
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Milestones