Isabella specialises in civil litigation with experience in handling a wide range of liability claims with a particular focus on professional liability, statutory liability, general liability, and construction liability.
Isabella has experience advising insurers in the New Zealand and international market on complex coverage issues and representing insureds in disciplinary matters and civil proceedings brough against professionals across multiple sectors including solicitors, accountants, financial services, construction, and real estate.
Isabella also has strong experience in regulatory investigations and prosecutions brought by various bodies including WorkSafe New Zealand, Maritime New Zealand and regional Councils under the Resource Management Act 1991. Isabella has appeared in various forums including the District Court, Environment Court, Human Rights Review Tribunal and as junior counsel in the High Court.
Beyond her legal practice, Isabella brings a unique foundation of discipline, precision, and performance under pressure, shaped by her years as a high-level dancer. Having represented New Zealand on multiple occasions and trained and performed at a professional level in New York, she developed a strong work ethic, acute attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in high-stakes environments – qualities that now underpin her approach to legal work.
- Acting for insurers defending professional negligence claims on behalf of engineers, architects, accountants, financial advisors, solicitors, trustees, directors and other professionals in civil proceedings (High Court and District Courts) and in complaint matters.
- Representing insureds and private clients in the defence of statutory liability matters including investigations and criminal prosecutions against employers and investigations and prosecutions under the Resource Management Act 1991.
- Advising insurers on policy wording and interpretation of policy conditions and exclusions.
- Advising international insurers, underwriters and reinsurers on complex coverage issues, increased exposure and allocated risk including the analysis of over 200 insurance claims with a total exposure of $250 million.
- Appearing as junior counsel, and assisting Kings Counsel, in the defence of a regulatory prosecution involving novel applications of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011.
- Advising and acting for insurers in subrogated recovery claims (including Class Actions).
- Commercial Litigation
- Product Liability and Recall
- Professional Liability
- Directors and Officers Liability
- Management Liability
- Work Health and Safety
- Construction and Infrastructure
- Financial Institutions and Services
- Professions and Business Services
- New Zealand Law Society
- New Zealand Insurance Law Association
- Young Insurance Professionals