Lowndes Jordan Elevates Dasha Kovalenko-Gormack As Partner

Corporate and commercial law firm Lowndes Jordan has elevated Dasha Kovalenko-Gormack to partner. Formerly a Senior Associate with the firm, she will lead its property team.

Dasha brings with her over a decade of experience in property, private and commercial law as well as holding in house legal roles through secondments. She advises clients on acquisition, development, sale of residential and commercial properties, and leasing. She also provides due diligence, advisory services, terms negotiation, and liquidation sales support.

She is used to working with a range of professionals, including accountants, planners and surveyors, to build a team around her clients and manage complex matters on a demanding scale.

Although specialising in property law, Dasha is no stranger to seeing a variety of legal issues come across her desk. Delivering the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 was a career highlight that brought challenging issues and the opportunity to work alongside passionate, driven and talented people.

Dasha provides excellent guidance by combining comprehensive technical legal support with a considered solutions-based approach, which aligns well with Lowndes Jordan’s philosophy of combining rigorous expertise with innovative thinking to deliver elegant solutions. Her ability to deliver clients positive results, quickly and accurately, while maintaining client relationships, was part of the reason the firm provided her a path to partnership within six months of her hiring.

She recognises that sound legal advice is only a part of the solution, which speaks to her focus on outcomes that align and support her clients’ broader business objectives, not just the legal detail.

“I feel privileged to step into this new role and continue building on the strong relationships we have with our clients and contributing to the future of the property practice by delivering tailored, practical solutions,” says Dasha. “The partnership at Lowndes Jordan is built on strong relationships and is diverse in its legal disciplines. The depth of capabilities here in everything from IP to commercial to litigation is elite. That made joining this team a considered, but ultimately easy decision.”

Strength in property law

Lowndes Jordan is known for providing clients with highly personalised bespoke services, particularly in the property sector where the firm has built a reputation for solving challenging problems.

Dasha sees her appointment as an opportunity to strengthen Lowndes Jordan’s capability in a burgeoning area. “The firm’s strategic and commercial focus provide a clear vision and expectations on client delivery. And I’m committed to building on that by providing our clients pragmatic, results-driven advice on complex property matters and supporting them through transactions that shape their businesses and investments.”

General Manager David White says Kovalenko-Gormack's appointment ensures an expansion to a growing team that works to support major developments and transactions across the country.

“Property is one of the cornerstones of New Zealand’s economy, driving growth, investment, and long-term value,” says White. “Having a strong property practice led by a lawyer of Dasha’s calibre will deliver ongoing value for both our clients and the firm.”

Elevation follows Alicia Murray’s partnership appointment and Liz Gellert’s judicial appointment

Dasha’s elevation follows last month’s appointment of Alicia Murray as litigation partner with specialist expertise in competition and insolvency law. Alicia joined existing litigation partner Karl Stolberger, ensuring continuity of service and capability to Lowndes-Jordan’s long-term clients.

Two Associates Judges have now been chosen from Lowndes Jordan’s ranks, with Liz Gellert’s June 2025 appointment and former partner Rachel Sussock’s 2020 appointment. To have two senior judicial posts filled from its ranks is notable for a firm of Lowndes Jordan’s size and reflects its culture of intellectual rigour, professional integrity and client-focused practice.

“That we’ve had two departing partners head for judicial appointments demonstrates that Lowndes Jordan builds lawyers of capability and high-minded thought. Our people live our values and deliver work that is clear, principled, and unmatched,” says White.

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