Kalev Crossland

Kalev Crossland brings over 35 years of litigation experience to Righteous Law. Before joining the firm, he served as Head of Litigation at two prominent Auckland law practices and worked internationally as an anti-corruption lawyer.

He holds BA and LLB degrees (First in Equity) from the University of Canterbury and three Master of Laws degrees with honours from the University of Auckland. He has also lectured in trial advocacy and contributed to the profession as a mentor and legal author.

Kalev’s practice spans complex commercial and civil litigation, defamation, insolvency, and arbitration. He has acted in numerous reported cases, including appearances in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, as well as overseas appellate courts. Notably, he led the groundbreaking “Bullion in the Basement” cross-border insolvency case and conducted a lengthy teacher misconduct trial in 2021, securing full vindication and significant damages for the claimant.

In recent years, Kalev has developed a strong defamation practice. His recent work includes high-profile jury and judge-alone trials, including a 2025 defence of a Chinese New Zealand politician and a 2023 verdict defeating a responsible journalism defence.

He is a current contributor to several leading legal texts, including Heath & Whale on Insolvency, and has authored scholarly articles cited by judges and the Law Commission. Kalev also serves on The Law Association’s Civil Litigation Committee and is a member of RITANZ.

At Righteous Law, Kalev works alongside Jesvin Boparoy and the litigation team to guide the next generation of advocates and provide strategic counsel to a wide range of clients.