Ali has significant and diverse legal experience, specialising in commercial litigation. As a clear thinker with meticulous attention to detail, she has provided top-quality representation and insightful legal advice to a wide range of clients.
Ali is a passionate, client-focused advocate. As a natural problem solver and relationship builder she works closely with clients to understand their needs and deliver pragmatic, creative, and tailored outcomes.
As well as her legal skills, clients value Ali’s obvious commitment, responsiveness, and clear, transparent communication. Her offbeat sense of humour and grounded, friendly interpersonal style make her engaging and enjoyable to work with.
Ali began her legal career in Wellington in the Russell McVeagh litigation team. She then spent two years as an Assistant Crown Counsel at Crown Law. After a secondment to Treasury, Ali returned to private practice. She joined the MinterEllisonRuddWatts disputes resolution team as a senior solicitor in 2014 and was promoted to senior associate in 2018. She joined the independent bar and became a member of Mills Lane Chambers in 2019. Ali has appeared as counsel in the Taxation Review Authority, High Court, and Court of Appeal on substantive and interlocutory matters. She has represented clients in arbitrations and in their interactions with regulators, including at Commerce Commission interviews.
Throughout her career, Ali has been involved in numerous high value, high profile disputes. As a result, she is undaunted by complexity, well-practised at operating in large legal teams, and adept at working across disciplines and with expert witnesses.
Career Highlights Include:
• Acting for the plaintiffs in a representative action against ANZ and ASB alleging breaches by the banks of their variation disclosure obligations under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2033 (see bankingclassaction.com)
• Being a member of the pro bono team representing survivors of sexual abuse at Dilworth School and working to obtain justice and redress for those survivors (see dilworthclassaction.com)
• Acting for a property developer in a family dispute over a substantial property portfolio owned by related companies and trusts.
• Acting for a holding company in a claim against an employee of its operating subsidiary alleging conspiracy by unlawful means.
• Acting for a faith-based institution engaging with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in the Care of the State and in the Care of Fatih-based institutions. • Acting for a joint venture party in a cross-border dispute relating to a resort in Fiji.
• Acting for a large, international client on several streams of multiparty oil and gas litigation, including a six-week arbritration.
• Acting for a team acting for Z Energy in the New Zealand Customs Department's enforcement of alleged historical liability for excise duty on 'manufactured' fuel.
For more information, please visit alivanammers.com.