Preti Flaherty attorney Simon Leeming currently serves as New Zealand’s
honorary consul to New England, and is actively working to build New Zealand’s
presence within the five-state region, both socially and economically. Leeming
is an advocate for a free-trade agreement between New Zealand and the United
States, and works locally to assist native New Zealanders within New
England.
One of his primary outreach efforts is an annual “hangi” – a traditional New
Zealand feast. The first hangi was held shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks, and was attended by several hundred New Zealanders and American friends
of New Zealand. “The event was an extraordinary coming together at a difficult
time. It helped New Zealanders connect with each other and was truly, by the
spirit of internationalism, an antidote to the difficult events of the terrorist
attacks,” Leeming says.
Along with Leeming’s commitment to build a social connection with New
Zealanders, he also works on broader policy issues, including the fostering of
bilateral trade between New Zealand and the United States, and the passage of a
free trade agreement between the two countries.
Global Forest Partners LLP of West Lebanon, NH is a substantial investor in
forestry, with a strong presence in New Zealand. Together with New Zealand’s
ambassador to the United States, Leeming has met with the company on various
occasions to better foster business relations.
Preti Flaherty has offices in Portland, Bath and Augusta, Maine, and Concord, NH. With more than 75 attorneys, the firm counsels clients in the areas of business law, energy, environmental, estate planning, health care, intellectual property, labor and employment, legislative and regulatory, litigation, technology and telecommunications.
