Appointment of two new Partners

Fee Langstone is delighted to announce the appointment of two new partners to the firm, Melissa Bell and Angus Wakeman, effective 1 April 2026.

Melissa Bell has worked exclusively as an insurance lawyer since her admission to practice in Australia in 2001.  She spent six years in London working in insurance and reinsurance litigation and arbitration, including a period as in-house counsel for a Lloyd’s managing agency.  She first joined Fee Langstone’s predecessor firm in 2010 and worked on a range of litigation and complex issues arising from the Christchurch earthquakes.  She then spent several years working in-house for general, life and liability insurers.  She has a strong understanding of the insurance industry, and particular expertise in policy drafting, and regulatory projects.  She continues to work in these areas, along with her practice in first party property, professional indemnity, life and D&O claims.  Her expertise was recognised in the 2026 Asia Pacific Legal 500 where she was ranked as a Leading Associate.

Fee Langstone partner, Virginia Wethey stated “We are very pleased to be welcoming Melissa to our partnership.  Melissa is an extremely capable lawyer with vast experience in the insurance industry as an in-house lawyer, a liability claims handler and a lawyer in private practice.  Our clients appreciate her deep understanding of their business needs and commercial pragmatism.  We are delighted to be working with her in this new role.”  

Angus Wakeman was admitted to practice in New Zealand in 2001.  After working for two Auckland firms, Angus moved to London in 2005 where he practised in commercial litigation with two London firms, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer and Kingsley Napley (gaining admission as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2010).  On returning to New Zealand in 2014, Angus joined Fee Langstone’s predecessor firm.  Angus has a broad commercial litigation and insurance practice with extensive experience in conducting complex, high value commercial litigation and particular expertise in liability and professional indemnity claims and professional disciplinary complaints (particularly lawyers, chartered accountants, and auditors), D&O and fidelity claims.

Fee Langstone partner, Russell Stewart commented “I have had the pleasure of working with Angus since he joined the firm nearly 12 years ago.  Angus' legal work is excellent - without reservation.  He has the personal and technical skills required to competently guide clients through stressful and difficult situations and litigation.  We are looking forward to working with him as a partner of Fee Langstone.”