Steve Keall is an experienced civil and commercial disputes lawyer based in Auckland, New Zealand. Steve provides legal advice and advocacy for civil and commercial disputes. Steve has a particular interest in insurance. He has qualified as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand, and as a solicitor in England. He now practises as a barrister sole in New Zealand, at FortyEight Shortland. "Clients tell me they appreciate the energy and enthusiasm I bring to my work.”
Steve started legal practice in 1999 a law clerk in the Auckland office of Chapman Tripp. Between 2005 and 2013 he worked as a solicitor in London in a commercial litigation and insurance team (now Pinsent Masons). Following his return to New Zealand, in 2014 he commenced practice as a barrister-sole, carrying out general civil and commercial litigation work, with specialist practice areas in insurance law and relationship property.
Steve has a significant amount of trial and hearing experience. Early in his career he did litigation and trial work with litigation partners at Chapman Tripp. This was followed by prosecution work with the Crown Solicitor in Manawatu, Ben Vanderkolk: a valuable opportunity to obtain jury trial experience. London work included substantial experience in the insurance sector as well as general commercial litigation. Since 2014, Steve has operated as a barrister in Auckland, New Zealand (here is a range of selected cases). He is a founding member of FortyEight Shortland, a civil and commercial set of barristers based on Shortland Street in Auckland.
Steve curates an insurance law blog.
What clients have to say:
"Getting Steve’s assistance was invaluable. His submissions were clear and succinct and were key to obtaining a favourable outcome. Thanks Steve for your assistance. You really helped put the matter in perspective. Your words of wisdom were key to maintaining my sanity."
— JH, solicitor, 2018
"I was in need of advice as to a direction on a somewhat involved a historic legal matter involving negligence by a conveyancing lawyer. I had few options, but when I contacted Steve, I found him both communicative and forthright. Overall, I was impressed with his very detailed advice and practical approach as to how to bring about proceedings in the relevant Tribunal; his strategies for presenting the case assisted me greatly and resulted in a win at the high end of the jurisdiction limit. I would strongly recommend him."
— Ian P., lay-client, 2018
"I have been referring clients to Steve Keall for several years now, with successful outcomes. Some of the clients I have referred to Steve have been involved in litigation and others have been seeking to avoid it. I have always been impressed by Steve’s knowledge, competence, and enthusiasm; his strategic and technical advice and skills have been invaluable. I highly recommend Steve to other instructing solicitors and their clients."
— Sue Stodart, solicitor, 2018
