Profile
“We keep evolving the brand as we grow and expand, which is equally rewarding and satisfying”
Alice Phillips Topping
Ryan Specialty
Samira Taghavi is a dedicated criminal defence lawyer who represents defendants throughout New Zealand. Her gift for strategy and her tireless work ethic guarantee meticulous oversight over her clients’ cases.
Sami holds a Master’s degree in Public Law from the University of Auckland. Criminal defence work has been her ambition since childhood, growing up with a father who was a criminal defence lawyer and later a judge.
Sami also has substantial experience as a lobbyist in the cause of defendant trial rights and human rights more generally. Her tenacity in successfully lobbying against government proposals that would have restricted trial rights earned her the nickname “bulldog” from one government minister.
She has contributed to New Zealand’s justice system at several other levels, including as a frequent seminar presenter, and has authored numerous legally-oriented articles for mainstream publications.
Her other pro bono contributions include serving as a member of the Law Association’s governing council (representing over 5,000 lawyers), as a member of the Leadership Committee of the Defence Lawyers Association and as a Law Association Criminal Law Committee member.
Latterly, Sami has headed the campaign to pressure our government into taking serious action against the Iranian government over that regime’s cruel treatment of its citizens. Her commitment to protecting rights and freedoms is largely born out of her brutal experiences as a young lawyer in Iran, where her work included several cruelly unjust death penalty cases.
51 Pembroke Crescent, Glendowie
0210 261 0060
samira@activelegal.co.nz
linkedin.com/in/samira-taghavi-a484a097
activelegal.co.nz
Samira Taghavi
Barrister
Active Legal Solutions
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Bio
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Profile
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Bio
Milestones
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Bio
Milestones
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females”
Alice Phillips Topping
Ryan Specialty
2010–2024
2020
2023
Present
Present
LLM in Public Law from the University of Auckland
Commenced legal career at ActiveLegal
Election to the governing council of the Law Association
Member of the Law Association’s Criminal Law committee
Member of the Leadership Committee of the Defence Lawyers Association
“Woman, Life, Freedom” campaign leader
Auckland Law School Women’s Mentoring Program
2010–
2024
Director at McCaw Lewis Lawyers
2020
Institute of Directors Emerging Director Award winner for Waikato
2023
Trustee of ConneXu, Angel Casts, Age Concern Waikato, member of the Auckland District Law Society trust law committee, and board observer for WEL Networks
Present
Co-Founder and Creator at The Future of Education Summit since 2023
Deputy Principal at Canterbury College since 2023
Present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
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
• Gold award for Magazine or Newspaper Advertisement
• Silver award for Promotional Email
• Silver award for Most Out-of-the-Box Idea
As a founding member of WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning.), an employee resource group created for all women of Ryan Specialty, Phillips Topping has long championed for women in the industry.
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females,” she adds.
In addition to her sharp marketing eye, the key to Phillips Topping’s success lies in her high-energy approach and positive attitude.
“As the leader of a team, it’s important to motivate and encourage your team members. People work very hard and do their best and it’s important to recognize these efforts. For my career overall, my attitude has been one of curiosity. The more you can learn, the better you’ll understand the business, and then the deeper your knowledge will become, making you a better team member.”
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
“We keep evolving the brand as we grow and expand, which is equally rewarding and satisfying,” adds Phillips Topping.
“Marketing is a very busy space. The challenge is to keep it fresh and keep it new. There’s so much out there. You have to think about how to break through.”
Since joining the firm in 2015, Ryan Specialty has:
• completed 28 acquisitions
• launched 10 companies
“With each acquisition and de novo formation, a large branding component is involved,” says Phillips Topping.
Speaking on the importance of spotlighting marketing professionals, Phillips Topping says, “It’s imperative to shine a light on those who aren’t necessarily brokers or underwriters. There are so many different aspects of the industry. It’s nice to show all the great work that’s being done behind the scenes.”
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