PAKEEZA RASHEED – Special Counsel

Pakeeza Rasheed was admitted to the bar in New Zealand in 2009 and to the New York bar in 2024.

She has over a decade of diverse legal experience in criminal law, administrative law, regulatory reform, international litigation, global compliance and privacy.

Pakeeza has worked in private practice, and for various government departments in New Zealand. She started her career in criminal law and then worked on finance and investment issues for The Treasury and the Overseas Investment Office before moving in-house to work for a legal startup.

Her latest role was as senior in-house counsel at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade where she worked on complex domestic and international legal issues. She successfully assisted to litigate cases on behalf of the government in domestic and international courts, such as the Hague. She has negotiated with the United Nations on grants and commercial matters, advised on serious international offending and worked on global employment issues. She also has experience providing advice on diplomatic privileges and immunities.

Pakeeza has advised on terrorism related laws and provided consultancy services to the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attacks, assisting them to engage with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain.

Pakeeza has sat on several not-for-profit boards and has dedicated a significant portion of her career to human rights pro bono work. She has written op-eds, spoken at conferences and engaged regularly with national and international media in this capacity. She was recognised for her efforts by the New Zealand Law Society and awarded for her extensive and ongoing contributions.

Pakeeza has a talent for translating intricate legal issues into clear, actionable solutions, and brings a calm, focused approach to navigating high-stakes challenges. No matter how diverse or difficult the subject, she is able to confidently tackle it head-on. She takes great pride in being an ethical lawyer, unafraid to face novel and untested legal challenges.