I have over 20 years’ experience in dispute resolution both in New Zealand and internationally, with particular expertise in contentious cross-border trust and estate cases, fraud and asset recovery and shareholder disputes. 

I qualified in New Zealand and practiced for several years in the litigation team of a leading commercial firm and as a junior barrister for J Stephen Kos QC (now Supreme Court Justice) before relocating to the Cayman Islands.  During my time in the Cayman Islands, I worked on high value, complex fraud, insolvency, and trust cases, often appearing as counsel at all levels of the Cayman Islands courts.  I also regularly advised both individuals and trustees on Cayman Islands’ law governed trust structures.   In 2016, I relocated to Hong Kong where I was a partner in the dispute resolution team of an offshore firm for several years before joining HSBC Bank.  At HSBC, I advised HSBC International Trustee Limited on all aspects of its trust business and oversaw its contentious trust matters.  In 2021, I relocated to Singapore where I established the Singapore dispute resolution and private client practices for another offshore firm.  I returned home to New Zealand in late 2023, joining Port Nicholson Chambers. 

I have been admitted to practice in New Zealand, the Cayman Islands, England & Wales and the British Virgin islands.  I am also a qualified TEP (Trust and Estates Practitioner) for STEP and I hold a Post-Graduate Certificate in Law with Distinction specialising in Equity and Trusts from the University of London.

I have been ranked in Legal 500 (Offshore Singapore) as a leading individual; Legal 500 Caribbean (foreign based expertise); Chambers Asia-Pacific (Offshore: Dispute Resolution) and Chambers Global (Offshore: Dispute Resolution).  I am described in Chambers Global as “a wonderful lawyer that you will definitely like to have on your side."  Other testimonials from Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners include:

"Joanne Verbiesen is highly recommended. Not only is she qualified in multiple jurisdictions, which gives her the edge in quickly identifying and solving cross-border issues, her sharp intellect coupled with her vast experience is her biggest asset in helping clients with their contentious and complex trust and probate matters. Joanne is also prompt in her responses and in her responses, she offers detailed and practical insights that are invaluable to clients.’"

"‘Joanne Verbiesen, the leading partner, is very commercial minded and understands the business objective of the client very well and is able to deliver timely advice to facilitate the client’s goals.’"

I regularly speak at international conferences across the globe.  Recent speaking engagements include the Private Client Global Elites’ Trust and Estates Litigation Forum, the Singapore Trustees Association Trust Conference and the Serle Court 5th International Trusts and Commercial Litigation Conference.

Memberships

New Zealand Bar Association

New Zealand Law Society

STEP