DLA Piper partner Emma Moran named a finalist for 2026 Inclusion Leader of the Year Award

DLA Piper partner Emma Moran has been named a finalist for the Inclusive Leader of the Year Award at the 2026 Diversity Awards NZ, presented by Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion.

The Inclusive Leader of the Year category recognises senior leaders who drive measurable and lasting change for workplace inclusion, embedding equity at the highest levels of their organisations.

Emma is a partner in DLA Piper’s New Zealand Litigation and Regulatory practice, specialising in public law, life sciences and complex regulatory litigation. Her inclusion-focused leadership is closely connected to her public law work, where she has contributed to the development and interpretation of anti-discrimination protections in Aotearoa.

During the relevant period, Emma led DLA Piper’s submission to the Law Commission’s Ia Tāngata review of the Human Rights Act. The submission addressed how discrimination grounds, statutory exceptions and drafting approaches operate in employment, education and service-delivery settings. The Law Commission’s final report was delivered to Government and presented to Parliament in 2025, forming part of the official consultation record on potential reform.

Emma has also held senior roles in constitutional litigation arising from Make It 16 Inc v Attorney-General, in which the Supreme Court issued declarations of inconsistency in relation to statutory voting-age provisions and age discrimination. The legal principles established continue to inform public and parliamentary debate on electoral and discrimination reform.

Within DLA Piper, Emma’s leadership has focused on strengthening transparency around advocacy and development opportunities, supporting initiatives that broaden access to the profession, and embedding inclusive team practices that are structured and measurable.

Emma Moran says that inclusion has always been connected to the substance of legal work.

“Recently, that work has included leading DLA Piper’s engagement with the Law Commission’s Ia Tāngata review of Human Rights Act protections, and continuing senior involvement in the constitutional litigation arising from Make It 16 Inc v Attorney-General. Both matters engage fundamental questions about discrimination standards, statutory design and institutional accountability”, Emma says.

“This recognition reflects collective effort. I am fortunate to work alongside colleagues and clients who are committed to strengthening rights-based practice in Aotearoa.”

The Diversity Awards NZ recognise individuals, teams and organisations contributing to inclusive workplaces across Aotearoa New Zealand. Finalists for 2026 were announced on 10 February 2026, with winners to be announced in Auckland on 5 May 2026 as part of the Whiria Ngā Kaha Workplace Inclusion Aotearoa conference.