Laura Scampion recognised as a ‘Law Firm Leader of the Year’
DLA Piper is delighted to announce that Country Managing Partner, Laura Scampion, has been named a Law Firm Leader of the Year. Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer acknowledged law firm leaders across Australasia who demonstrate exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and a lasting impact on their firms and the wider profession.
Laura has been ranked as a Leading Individual in Labour and Employment by Legal 500 Asia Pacific for the past three years, and her achievements have also been acknowledged by other prestigious awards, including being named a ‘Changemaker’ in the NZ Lawyer Most Influential Lawyers list for four consecutive years. Under Laura’s leadership, DLA Piper New Zealand was recognised as ‘Best Provider to Financial & Insurance Services’, and a finalist for ‘Best CX Firm: Law & Related Services’ at the 2024 Beaton Client Choice Awards.
Laura’s approach to legal services is marked by innovation. She has overseen introduction into the New Zealand market of DLA Piper solutions that go beyond traditional legal services, such as AI tools for detecting anti-competitive practices and advisory services for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. The firm’s work in this space has been recognised by the Financial Times in its highly regarded ‘Most Innovative Lawyer Awards Asia-Pacific’ and ‘Most Innovative Lawyer Awards Europe’.
Laura’s influence extends to the broader community, where she is recognised as a thought leader, including her recent coverage of modern slavery. And, in collaboration with Te Ara Ture, the national clearinghouse, Laura and DLA Piper hosted a Pro Bono Open Forum hui for the New Zealand legal sector – leading to a groundbreaking initiative with a group of leading firms launching the Framework for Collaborative Pro Bono in Aotearoa. This first-of-its-kind national network aims to enhance access to justice for all New Zealanders by fostering collaboration and supporting pro bono culture across the country.
A champion for diversity and inclusion, Laura has driven impactful initiatives, including DLA Piper’s New Zealand Head Start social mobility programme, which provides full scholarships for university study, internships, mentoring, and networking opportunities for young people from under-represented groups, particularly women of Māori and Pasifika descent. This initiative aims to diversify the legal profession and support talented individuals facing (often socio-economic) barriers to entry.
Laura’s recognition as a Law Firm Leader reflects her dedication to excellence and innovation in the legal profession.
