Denise Evans

As an experienced lawyer, mediator and arbitrator, Denise is passionate about finding the right option to help people resolve disputes while recognising individual needs.

With over 30 years’ experience, Denise has committed her career to advancing the dispute resolution profession and developing New Zealand’s unique approach to resolving disputes. Her innovative and skilled method of resolving commercial and private disputes is renowned, placing her at the pinnacle of the dispute resolution profession. Denise has been approved to provide mediation using Māori tikanga approaches and is a student of te reo Māori.

Denise trained and practiced as a lawyer before honing her mediation and arbitration skills.  Denise’s portfolio includes extensive commercial work including high-profile business clients and within the building and construction sector. Denise was a part-time farmer on a life style block for many years and her family has been involved in the rural sector for generations. She has an affinity for issues affecting rural communities.

As a business owner, Denise balances commercial acuity with exceptionally advanced mediation skills to bridge issues and barriers. She is known for achieving successful resolution even in the most complex situations, through her steadfast focus on maintaining relationships and commitment to achieving the best outcomes for all parties involved in the dispute.

Denise is firm believer in dispute resolution. She champions this as a thought-leader in dispute resolution industry and regularly publishes articles, facilitates training workshops and presents at conferences. She previously held a senior role with Fair Way, as Principal, Dispute Resolution.

With a law degree, masters in conflict resolution and as a Fellow of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute of New Zealand, Denise says mediation, negotiation and litigation have always been part of her working life.