Elisabeth Welson brings more than 30 years experience advising clients on competition and regulatory matters and is enjoying applying her expertise from the other side of the table.
Compliance with the Commerce Act has been a strong feature of her work to date. Elisabeth has come to the Commission from Simpson Grierson where she advised on competition issues such as merger applications and authorisations, as well as assisting clients in the electricity and telecommunications sectors on industry regulation matters.
“I’ve always been involved with and interested in the area of law where economics and legal issues interface. The wide variety of work the Commission does, combined with my background, make this a natural evolution,” said Elisabeth.
Elisabeth says she has left legal practice with mixed feelings. But all that she enjoys; the legal analysis, strategic thinking and applying law in a business context will still be part of her daily tasks. “The new dynamic that is added is being one of the decision-makers instead of the advocate.”
Commission Chair Dr Mark Berry says Elisabeth brings extensive experience in competition law and regulation to the Commission. “She is a highly respected senior commercial lawyer and her prior experience means she can add immediate value to the team.”
Elisabeth will be involved in the Commission’s decision-making on issues relating to the Telecommunications Act, Commerce Act, Fair Trading Act, Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act and Airports (Part 4 of the Commerce Act).
Elisabeth co-led Simpson Grierson’s competition and regulatory group and also headed up the energy, natural resources and utilities market group. Elisabeth’s term began on 20 September and she has been appointed for four-and-a-half years, replacing Gowan Pickering whose term had ended.
