Wotton Kearney congratulates four of our outstanding young stars who have been named as 2025 Future Legal Leaders (formerly Rising Stars) by Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer.

Selected based on their achievements, passion for the legal industry, and endorsements from senior professionals, this recognition is a testament to their outstanding work and the value they bring to our firm and clients as the next generation of leaders.

We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to the ongoing contribution they will make as future leaders.

Congratulations to the following:

Diviij Vijayakumar – Special Counsel, Perth

Diviij advises on personal injury, product and property damage claims, as well as coverage. He has represented insurers, self-insurers, corporate entities and SMEs across a range of industries, including mining, construction, manufacturing, retail and agriculture. His experience includes appearing in the Magistrates, District and Supreme Court, as well as the Coroner’s Court and State Administrative Tribunal in general liability claims.

Karim Ibrahim – Senior Associate, Melbourne

Karim specialises in personal injury and has extensive experience acting in catastrophic injury claims, workers compensation, statutory recovery actions and public liability claims. He advises local and global insurers on complex legal issues and significant quantum claims, thoroughly devising strategies to achieve effective outcomes. He has acted on behalf of various builders, occupiers, contractors, retailers and product manufacturers.

Meredith Karlsen – Senior Associate, Auckland

Meredith is a senior associate with Wotton Kearney’s Auckland office, handling professional indemnity and employment disputes. She has broad experience defending professional negligence claims against insureds such as solicitors, trustees, and construction professionals including architects and engineers. She also assists with advising and defending insurers regarding claims for indemnity.

Matt Hutcheson – Senior Associate, Auckland

Matt specialises in employment disputes and statutory liability. He has acted on a broad range of insured and non-insured matters, representing clients in investigations, mediations, and proceedings before the Employment Relations Authority, Human Rights Review Tribunal, and Employment Court. He also advises across the full employment lifecycle. Matt’s statutory liability work includes assisting clients with Council (RMA) and WorkSafe (HSWA) investigations and prosecutions, often resolving issues without charges being laid.