Introducing our 2025 Scholars, two rising leaders in dispute resolution

We are delighted to announce this year’s recipients of the 2025 AMINZ Scholarships: Lydia Sharpe (Determinative Scholar – focussed on arbitration) and Celia Brownlee (Consensual Scholar – focussed on mediation).

Lydia and Celia represent rising leaders, who are shaping the future of Aotearoa New Zealand’s dispute resolution sector. “The AMINZ Scholarships are an important part of AMINZ’s commitment to growing diversity in dispute resolution, and developing the stars of the future,” says AMINZ Committee Chair, Mark Kelly. “We had some fantastic applications this year, and some really difficult decisions to make. The Scholars who have been selected are amazing young practitioners who I am sure will go far.”

Meet the Scholars

“I am incredibly grateful to be the recipient of the AMINZ Determinative Scholarship for 2025.  I am particularly looking forward to progressing my skills in arbitration through working with a mentor, and forging new connections within the AMINZ community.”  

A senior solicitor in the construction disputes team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Lydia Sharpe has a long-standing interest in cross-border arbitration, informed by both her current work, where she advises on the application of arbitration agreements, and her previous experience in trade and transport law. She coordinated and managed the writing, editing, and publication process for the MinterEllisonRuddWatts construction arbitration article series last year, which achieved wide readership within the arbitration community. 

Lydia is passionate about enhancing accessibility and participation in the legal field, advocating for greater inclusion in the context of disability, as well as racial, gender, and socioeconomic equality.

“I am excited and incredibly grateful for the opportunities the AMINZ scholarship provides to learn from and become immersed in the AMINZ community, gain ‘real-world’ insight into mediation practice and to be able to contribute to the New Zealand ADR profession myself.”

Celia Brownlee is an associate at Lindsay Francis & Mangan, a specialist litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution practice. She supports the senior members of the firm and external bar on a broad range of corporate and commercial litigation matters, and has dual interest areas of tax and mediation. Prior to joining Lindsay Francis & Mangan Celia was a Senior Tax Consultant at Deloitte advising various multinational organisations on a range of tax issues primarily focused on corporate income tax, transfer pricing, international tax and restructuring. 

Celia has a UK accreditation as a civil commercial mediator and is a first-place recipient in the 2019 ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition where she competed with 65 other university teams from around the world in mediation role plays.

Rising Leaders

Over the coming year, the scholars will gain new learnings and experiences in the field of dispute resolution, contributing to the ongoing growth of access to justice. They will receive learning opportunities, mentorship from a highly experienced AMINZ senior member, and leadership development. They will also have the opportunity to present at our annual conference, taking place on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August in Christchurch.

Marcus Martin, College of Law Chief Executive Officer shares, "we’re honoured to be this year's sponsor of the AMINZ Scholarships, and delighted for Lydia and Celia and the promising careers ahead of them.”

The Institute will also benefit from the scholars' experiences. “Their insights and perspectives play a crucial role in ensuring the next generation of practitioners are heard,” shares Monique Pearson, AMINZ Executive Director. At the end of their scholarship, Lydia and Celia will report back to the AMINZ Council to share their thoughts on how AMINZ can better promote diversity, both within the Institute and in the broader landscape of dispute resolution.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to our 2025 Scholarships sponsor, the College of Law for supporting the expansion of education opportunities in dispute resolution by providing aspiring professionals in arbitration and mediation with access to exceptional training, development, and networking.