Chen Palmer was established over 28 years ago because its founders, Mai Chen and the Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Palmer QC, identified a need for expert public law advice to assist members of the public and businesses in their dealings with Government, and to advise Government agencies on their public law obligations and requirements on business and organisations. We are Australasia’s first public law firm.
Chen Palmer specialises in providing advice based on a sound knowledge of Government, and expert legal, political and media knowledge, as this increases the prospects of getting the right outcome.
Our key areas of expertise are public and administrative law, employment law, public law litigation, education law, government/parliament/law reform, New Zealand Bill of Rights, Human Rights, prosecutions by statutory regulators including the Serious Fraud Office, and investigations and inquiries.
We also specialise in applying a superdiversity lens to law, policy and business. We are problem solvers, and we apply a Public Law toolbox approach to ensure successful outcomes for our clients.
Chen Palmer has expertise in public, employment, education, government / parliament / law reform, privacy, official information, local government, regulatory affairs and public law litigation.
Learn moreThe Superdiversity Centre for Law, Policy and Business is a multidisciplinary centre specialising in analysing the law, policy and business implications of New Zealand’s superdiversity.
Learn moreOn 5 July we kicked off our “How to be a Great Lawyer” speaker series! Managing Partner Mai Chen led a discussion about the importance of dreaming big, getting out of your own way and converging your super powers. The […]
We’re excited to announce that Lily Maclean has joined Chen Palmer as an Associate. Lily completed her BA/LLB from Otago University in 2018, during which time she won the Chapman Tripp Negotiation Competition and became a certified mediator and […]
Published by the New Zealand Law Society on 25 June 2021 The Supreme Court recently granted leave to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision in Zheng v Deng (Donglin Deng v Lu Zheng [2021] NZSC 43 [14 May 2021] (“Deng v Zheng (SC)”), […]
Congratulations to our Managing Partner Mai Chen who has been recognised as one of NZ’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers 2021. Mai won in the Change-makers category which features lawyers who have been leaders, innovators or catalysts for positive change in […]
Published in NZ Lawyer on 30 Apr 2021. Chen Palmer principal Leo Donnelly has earned the distinction of Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contributions to the sport of karate. For 46 years, the former ombudsman and karate enthusiast […]
