Speaker details

IBA Annual Conference Toronto 2025

2 Nov - 7 Nov 2025

Metro Toronto Convention Centre , Toronto, Canada

Speaker information

Gary Hughes

Biography

Gary is a leading independent lawyer in New Zealand with over 28 years experience specialising in regulatory investigations and enforcement cases. Dual qualified in NSW Australia and England & Wales. Deep expertise in a range of areas, such as corporate crime or financial misconduct cases, anti-money laundering, fraud, corruption, competition law & cartels, fintech, insurance and privacy/data law. Active in anti-financial crime groups across Australasia, Gary is co-Chair of the AML & Sanctions Experts subcommittee, and officer in the Regulation of Lawyers committee. Regarded as New Zealand’s most experienced AML/CFT lawyer, Gary has worked on investigations in NZ, Australia, the UK, and Pacific nations such as the Cook Islands. He has been an expert witness in international matters e.g. the Cullen Commission of Inquiry (Canada), and is author of Thomson Reuters Westlaw NZ textbook "AML-CFT Workflows & Guidance for Lawyers". Other non-IBA probono roles include as Advisory Director to ACAMS Australasia, local partner for anti-bribery/supply chain transparency body TRACE International, and industry advisory/trainer roles to the NZ Ministry of Justice and Law Societies in NZ and NSW. First admitted in NZ (1996), Gary has previously been an equity partner in a top boutique firm in Auckland, a salaried partner in a large national law firm, and spent 5 years in the London market with global firms Clyde & Co, AON, and Lovell White Durrant. Gary is often briefed early in investigations, before court action. He has a knack for helping clients find strategic and creative resolution to regulatory issues with government agencies (as well as handling enforcement action, prosecutions, associated civil disputes, liability or D&O insurance matters). Any overseas lawyer with a valid practising certificate in their home country can 'direct brief' Gary under NZ's fused barrister & solicitor system. See Website: www.law-strategy.nz

Session

Session Co-Chair

IBA Bar Breakfast hosted by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and the Law Council of Australia.

Thursday 6 November (0800 - 0930)

Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2W6, Canada

Speaker