The Committee is responsible for the operation and governance of ILANZ and delivers its strategy alongside NZLS staff based in the Auckland office. The Committee represents the interests of the inhouse community in New Zealand. It runs the highly successful annual ILANZ Conference, advocates on behalf of inhouse practitioners, represents inhouse members at the NZLS Council, administers the ILANZ Awards, develops resources and contributes to organising events for networking and CPD opportunities through its valued partners.
You can read more about the roles and responsibilities of the ILANZ committee here.
Meet the 2026 - 2028 ILANZ Committee:
ILANZ President: Benjamin Jacobs – Auckland
I'm a senior lawyer at Xero which has been my home for the last six and a half years. I've now spent over half my career working inhouse and love the varied challenges this brings combined with the ability to build a deep understanding of the business - as well as strong and lasting relationships with my colleagues - to be able to give the best advice.
I moved to New Zealand almost a decade ago and was immediately struck by what ILANZ offered its members - we had nothing like it in the UK. When I started at Xero, I knew I wanted to give something back and put myself forward for the ILANZ committee. I am delighted to have been elected for a second term as President, and my fourth on the committee. I am excited about the upcoming opportunities to build on an already strong offering to continue to connect, support and lead Aotearoa's inhouse community.
Vice President: Bram Van Melle - Auckland
Treasurer: Saar Cohen-Ronen – Wellington
Saar is Pharmac’s General Counsel and the President of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Law Society. He was previously ACC’s Litigation Manager and Crown Counsel in the Crown Law Office.
He specialises in Public Law, enforcement, and litigation and has represented government departments and crown entities as an in-house lawyer for 19 years, some of which as the Secretary of the Departmental Prosecutors Forum.
Saar is an Alcohol Commissioner for Wellington and a panel member of the Porirua District Licensing Committee. He is the former president of the New Zealand Animal Law Association
He is also a trustee of the Porirua Harbour Trust and a musical director of theatre productions in the wider Wellington region.
Secretary: Ran Robinson – Auckland
I am a senior commercial lawyer who has been practicing for over 25 years in a range of private practice and in-house roles. I chose to do things a little differently recently by becoming a fractional in-house lawyer. This enables me to have more flexibility and variety over my working schedule while remaining closely aligned with the commercial organisations that I support.
This has also allowed me to devote a significant amount of time to the work of ILANZ where I have been a Committee member (and Secretary) for the last two years. I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of a dedicated group which is genuinely interested in connecting the in-house community and improving the access that we collectively have to good resources, knowledge and networking opportunities. As a former professional knowledge lawyer, I am a deep believer in the power of learning and keeping our knowledge and skills (both legal and non-legal) up to date and relevant so working on various knowledge initiatives like the Career Development Framework and online communities have been particular highlights.
Outside of work, I am a busy mum of two teenagers who loves to spend time with friends, cooking, reading, yoga and walking my lovely dog Alfie.
Karen Billinghurst – Cambridge
Kia Ora, I am the Principal Legal Counsel Data and Digital at Health New Zealand and have worked in-house in the public health sector since 2019, and previously in commercial organisations.
I have been an ILANZ committee member for two years and have enjoyed being part of a team that actively contributes to our ILANZ member community.
It’s been rewarding to help organise events and webinars plus plan the successful ILANZ conferences in Auckland 2025 and Wellington 2026. I'm looking forward to contributing further during another term on the committee.
I have been the Convenor for The Otago Women's Law Society and was the ILANZ "champion" for Otago; I know the value and benefit of building well connected networks.
Outside of work I like encouraging my children to get off their devices, lavishing attention on my two maine coon cats, attempting CrossFit and rowing (adult novice), and going to live music/theatre.
Matt Farrington – Wellington
I am part of the in-house team at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, channelling a lifelong tech obsession into IT law, legal operations, and strategy. My role involves navigating the modern legal landscape with equal parts excitement, frustration, and anxiety regarding AI’s actual utility for our profession and our clients.
I joined the ILANZ Committee because in-house practice is evolving far too fast to navigate alone. I’m a passionate advocate for building a fiercely connected community that relies on practical, hype-free experiences. Whether we are stripping the marketing gloss off GenAI, exploring alternative practice models, or championing the flexible working arrangements essential for career sustainability, our collective insight is our strongest asset.
Before my current role, I practiced in a range of in-house, private practice, and newlaw roles across the public and private sectors. I also survived a far more demanding environment: taking time out as a stay-at-home dad to two wonderful, fiercely strong-willed kids. Away from the office, I am a maker, tinkering with hobby projects involving AI, code, electronics, 3D printing, and woodworking.
Jessica Muckle – Hamilton
Kia ora koutou, ko Jessica Muckle tooku ingoa. He uri ahau noo Ngaati Kahungunu, Ngaati Raukawa, me Te Arawa.
I am a Legal Advisor at Waikato-Tainui and a member of the ILANZ Committee for the 2026–2028 term.
I am relatively new to the in-house legal community, having joined the Waikato-Tainui Legal Team in 2026. My work focuses on delivering practical legal advice that supports the kaupapa and strategic objectives of Waikato-Tainui, and advances Maaori and iwi interests.
Previously, I worked across local and central government in resource management and regulatory roles. Through this work, I developed a strong career centred on serving my community. I also spent several years living in France and London, experiences that continue to shape my perspective and global outlook.
Through my involvement with ILANZ, I am committed to fostering a strong and connected in-house legal community that reflects the diversity of lawyers across Aotearoa.
Outside of work, I am kept busy by my young whaanau — a sport-loving household with two children and SPCA rescue dog, Pumpkin. Weekends are spent on the sidelines of netball, rugby, and hockey, or at karate and hip-hop dance. On the rare occasion I get free time, I enjoy cultural festivals such as WOMAD and Te Matatini, and holidays at our bach at Te Kaha.
Kelly McAuslan – Auckland
I am a Senior Legal Counsel at High Performance Sport NZ and have previously held commercial roles in NZ and the UK spanning elite sport, banking and media.
I got my first taste of being an in-house lawyer during a secondment to Lion in my second year of practising and was hooked! I loved being invested in business decisions and seeing projects through from inception to execution.
Having been an active member of ILANZ, and fortunate enough to receive the Small In-house Legal Team award last year, I’m excited to give back by serving on the committee. I am passionate about the power of community and believe we can achieve so much more together than we can alone. ILANZ plays a critical role in supporting, developing and connecting in-house lawyers across the motu, and I am committed to continuing its ongoing success.
Outside of work, I enjoy any form of social exercise (you might see me instructing classes from time to time) and cheering on our amazing kiwi athletes as we punch above our weight on the world stage!
Karyn O’Loughlin – Auckland
I have 30 years' experience as a practising lawyer, with the last 13 as part of the in-house community. I am currently enjoying being part of the team at Giltrap Group, which is broadening my past in-house experience in global companies in the quick-service restaurant and FMCG industries.
It is important that the committee of ILANZ represent all in-house lawyers across the sector, so I feel I bring the valuable perspective of a multi-juridictional in-house counsel to ILANZ. I can continue to explore and contribute this knowledge and experience to benefit ILANZ as a whole. I strongly believe a healthy network of peers is important particularly for those of us operating in smaller local teams, so want to enable this in any way I can, in addition to contributing to the ever-popular annual ILANZ conference.
Harry Beaumont – Queenstown
I am a Senior Legal Counsel at the Queenstown Lakes District Council. I mostly work on construction and commercial work, but in-house at a local authority means I end up working on a wide range of matters from reserves to roads and everything in between.
I moved in-house after a number of years in private practice and enjoy the ability to give more nuanced advice to my client based on a deeper knowledge of the organisation. That being said, anyone who claims to understand every aspect of Local Government is brave, and so every other day is a chance to learn about some new aspect of Local Government I hadn't previously appreciated.
I joined in the ILANZ committee to fly the flag for the growing number of Local Government lawyers (as well as the South Island!) As a relatively new in-house lawyer, I look forward to helping ILANZ assist new in-house lawyers, whether coming over from private practice or starting their careers in-house.
Life in Queenstown is basically how it looks on the postcard - when I'm not working, I'm out biking, skiing, climbing and swimming in the lake, although I will admit the latter is largely a summer activity.