New Zealand

With offices in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown, Anderson Lloyd provides legal services in banking and finance, projects and infrastructure, and litigation. Partner Geoff Busch has particular expertise in corporate and M&A, projects, structured and property finance and debt capital markets transactions. Partners Alan Paterson and David Holden left the firm during the research period.

Banking and finance

Work highlights

Acted for New Forests Asset Management on the financing of its acquisition of HFF, one of the largest forestry estates in Gisborne, New Zealand.

Key clients

ANZ Bank New Zealand, Foodstuffs South Island, Tilt Renewables

Construction

Work highlights

Advising Tilt Renewables as lead project counsel on its development of Waipipi Wind Farm (WWF), Tilt’s first New Zealand project since it demerged from Trustpower in 2016. WWF is a 133MW renewable energy project located in South Taranaki, which will be owned and operated by Tilt Renewables.

Key clients

Christchurch City Council, Precinct Properties, Ravenswood Retail, Waimea Water

Corporate and M&A

Work highlights

Acted for Silverfin Capital on the purchase of Caniwi Inghams Enterprises Waikato Properties. This was one of the largest agricultural transactions in 2019.

Key clients

NZ Retail Property

Client feedback

“Very pragmatic in its approach and able to work through complex issues across multiple transactions in parallel.” – Corporate and M&A

Dan Williams

“Cool and calm demeanour, and able to think through complex issues. Always reliable and timely in his work—and good fun to work with also.”

Based in New Zealand with offices in Auckland and Wellington, IP specialist firm Baldwins Intellectual Property provides services in all kinds of IP rights, commercialisation, dispute resolution, enforcement and IP strategy. Partner Wes Jones specialises in the development and commercialisation of patent and registered design portfolios.

Top-tier firm Buddle Findlay moved up to ‘Outstanding’ in the banking and finance table this year. Head of the firm’s corporate and commercial practice, Simon Vodanovich, mainly advises on takeovers, M&A and capital raisings. Partner Peter Owles specialises in infrastructure and project development. He also provides corporate and commercial advice to companies with a particular focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors. Partner Laura O'Gorman retired from partnership in March 2019.

Banking and finance

Work highlights

Acted for ANZ Bank New Zealand on the $350 million project financing of SX Next submarine fibre optic cable constructed by the Southern Cross Cables Group. The SX Next cable is a 72 terabits per second fibre optic cable that joins Australia, New Zealand and the US. This is the biggest project financing in New Zealand in 2019 by total transaction size.

Key clients

ASB Bank, Bank of China, China Construction Bank

Competition/antitrust

Work highlights

Advising global payments service provider Verifone on the competition law aspects of its proposed acquisition of the New Zealand business of Smartpay. Verifone and SmartPay are two of the largest providers of payment terminals in New Zealand.

Key clients

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Payments NZ, Toyota New Zealand

Construction

Work highlights

Acted for Auckland Transport and Auckland Council on the construction of City Rail Link (CRL) project. This is New Zealand's largest infrastructure project by value and the first underground railway project in New Zealand. 

Key clients

Landcorp Farming, Massey University, Northland District Health Board

Corporate and M&A

Work highlights

Acted for a consortium comprising Infratil and Brookfield Asset Management on its acquisition of Vodafone New Zealand. This was the largest M&A deal in New Zealand in 15 years.

Key clients

DKSH Australia, Kinetic, Sky Television

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Acting for Southern Response Earthquake Services in defending a large class action initiated by former customers over a settlement of their earthquake insurance claim.

Key clients

New Zealand Industrial Park, New Zealand Steel, Zespri Group

Intellectual property

Work highlights

Acting for Manuka Honey Appellation Society on the IP protection of the term ‘Manuka Honey’.

Labour and employment

Work highlights

Advised a number of clients on the workplace implications of Covid-19, particularly in light of New Zealand's recent declaration of a national state of emergency and the move to alert level 4, which prompted border closures, a nationwide lockdown and the closure of all non-essential businesses.

Private equity

Work highlights

Advised Mobi2Go on all aspects of its series A funding round. This transaction involved venture capital fund, Movac, investing in Mobi2Go to provide capital to fund its growth.

Key clients

IMAGR Holdings, Rangatira

Regulatory

Work highlights

Advising Electricity Authority on regulatory matters in relation to its proposal to introduce a default distributor agreement.

Key clients

Energy Fiji, Ministry for Primary Industries, Tertiary Education Commission

Restructuring and insolvency

Work highlights

Advised EastPack, New Zealand’s largest kiwifruit post-harvest operator, on its capital restructuring.

Key clients

Bank of New Zealand, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Client feedback

“Friendly and responsive.” – Banking and finance

“Buddle Findlay's banking and finance practice is fantastic to work with. It is technically on point and extremely commercial so is able to suggest solutions that work for both lenders and clients. The firm is extremely responsive and great fun to deal with.” – Banking and finance

“Accurate and timely responses, and cost effective commercial advice.” – Banking and finance

“Very talented, collaborative and well-coordinated team of finance partners. Takes a very commercial, pragmatic approach to getting deals done.” – Banking and finance

“Client-focused. Enjoyable to interact with and clearly explains the roadmap ahead on any work it is planning. Results-oriented.” – Corporate and M&A

“Good at checking scope. Great understanding of our business—past and present.” – Corporate and M&A

“Diversity of skills across all facets of business, and proactive communication.” – Corporate and M&A

“Speed, responsiveness and attention to detail. Also multi-disciplinary.”– Corporate and M&A

“The firm did a great job in managing a large and complex acquisition.” – Corporate and M&A

“The law firm was very thorough in providing all-round advice. For a client that is not based in New Zealand, the firm ensured that it provided integrated advice. It was extremely responsive to requests.” – Corporate and M&A

“Efficient and excellent communicators. Well-priced. Thorough and detail-oriented.” – Corporate and M&A

“Responsive and good at following up outstanding items.” – Dispute resolution

“Partners and staff solicitors I deal with are very competent and do the job well, with good client rapport.” – Dispute resolution

“Good communication, quick responses, quick access to senior people.” – Intellectual property

“Authoritative leading edge up-to-the-minute knowledge of best practice. Timely professional advice. Value for money. Always conscious of cost to business.” – Labour and employment

“Understanding of core strategic goals of the company and ability to merge US and New Zealand requirements while highlighting balance of cross and no-cross lines.” – Private equity

“Great culture and friendly. Fast service. Responsive.” – Real estate

“The firm is extremely responsive, including to urgent requests. Even with short turnarounds, its advice is always exceptionally clear and pragmatic. The firm also understands our business extremely well, and the complex interplay between our various functions.” – Regulatory

“Highly-skilled. Advanced specialist knowledge. Very responsive.” – Restructuring and insolvency

“Knowledgeable and practical advice. Always available.” – Tax

Miriam Andrews

“Highly responsive in this dynamic environment. Extremely knowledgeable in New Zealand banking and finance. Ability to advise and respond to multi-bank complex transactions.”

“Andrews is a fantastic lawyer. She has superior technical knowledge but that is not all—as she has had more than one stint on the 'client' side—she knows what makes banks tick and tailors her advice accordingly. She has an enviable depth of experience and market knowledge which enables her to provide solution oriented advice that works for us and our clients.”

Scott Barker

“Quick to respond. Comes up with solutions.”

“Very frank, accessible, good at tactics.”

Nick Bragg        

“Was across the detail very well. Extremely diligent and never missed a deadline.”

“Strong communication and balanced advice of legal risk and commercial focus. Bragg has a strong understanding of companies’ risk profile and balances this with the ability to move at speed. He provides a robust pillar for legal counsel.”

David Broadmore

“Good communication, advice and responsiveness.”

Shaun Brookes

“Authoritative subject matter expert. Advice is first class and delivers great outcomes in a timely manner. A real gentleman to deal with.”

Annie Cao

“Fast replies, good at managing deadlines and multiple moving parts of a litigation. Positive attitude, good communication, and thoughtful approach to competing legal arguments.”

Daniel Collins

“Very conscientious, attention to detail.”

Tony Dellow

“Highly responsive, and always provides clear, pragmatic advice. Understands our business and has a very good sense of humour.”

Paul Farrugia

“Commercial. Responsive and clear communicator. Trusted advisor. Great team player.”

“Farrugia is an excellent relationship partner—always focuses on delivering top quality, commercial services in a professional and positive manner.”

Daniel Kelleher

“Friendly, strong expertise.”

Mark Odlin

“Responsive and communicative. Very results-oriented and excellent problem solving skills. Very friendly and personable to deal with.”

Willie Palmer

“Excellent to deal with. Very competent. Good client relationship.”

David Perry

“Perry is personable, incredibly thorough, works to tight deadlines and knows our business back to front.”

Hamish Selby

“Positive and constructive to deal with. Knows our business well. Asks good questions to get to the core of the problem early.”

David Thomson

“Responsive, engaging, good client management, knowledgeable, detailed.”

Tony Wilkinson

“Wilkinson is easy to deal with, personable, and has in-depth knowledge of tax.”

“He was responsive and was able to convey and explain complex matters in a simplified manner to someone that is not based in New Zealand. Recommendations are always pragmatic and commercial.”

“Expert in tax, accessible, prompt.”

Based in Auckland, dispute specialist Gilbert Walker has extensive experience as advisors and advocates in complex litigation and regulatory matters. Partner Martin Smith advises a broad range of commercial and civil disputes related to commercial, property, and insurance matters.

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Acted for former directors of Feltex in shareholder class actions brought on behalf of more than 3600 shareholder claimants arising from Feltex’s IPO in 2004.

Acted for Forest & Bird in successful appeals against a decision made by the Environmental Protection Authority to grant consent to a mining operation off the Taranaki coast.

Key clients

ANZ Bank, Jones Lang Lasalle, Spaceworks, Tower Insurance

Corporate law firm Harmos Horton Lusk has a core focus on corporate transactions and strategic advisory engagements. Key partner Andrew Harmos advises on a wide range of corporate transactions, with an emphasis on takeovers, corporate advisory, joint venture arrangements and business acquisitions.

Led by managing partner Erich Bachmann, Hesketh Henry’s corporate and commercial team has particular expertise in assisting overseas entities moving into the Australasian market through either acquiring a business or establishing a new business base in New Zealand. On the construction side, partners Christina Bryant, Nick Gillies and Helen Macfarlane are some of the key contacts.

Construction

Work highlights

Acted for Kahawai Point Development, the owner and development company of Kahawai Point, on its land acquisition and development, property sales, and construction contracts.

Key clients

McConnell Dowell Constructors, Plus Construction, Vero Insurance New Zealand

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Representing Vero Insurance New Zealand and AA Insurance in various proceedings before the high court in relation to claims arising out of the Canterbury earthquakes.

Labour and employment

Work highlights

Advised Metropolitan Glass & Glazing, one of New Zealand's leading glass suppliers, on a range of employment and compliance matters.

Key clients

Corrections Association of New Zealand, Restaurant Association of New Zealand, Suncorp NZ Employees

Client feedback

“Knowledge of partners and senior staff is exceptional. Firm is well regarded, appreciative of our business, and often provided unsolicited ideas to help with broader issues. Supportive of industry bodies and associations.” – Construction

“Thorough and objective assessment of the strengths or otherwise of our position. Good knowledge of construction law.” – Construction

“Good to deal with, easy to get hold off. Partner has a pragmatic approach.” – Construction

“Thorough and professional service, knowledgeable in construction law, construction contracts and industry practice.” – Dispute resolution

“Agile, responsive and practical.” – Dispute resolution

“A proactive approach with cost efficiency aligned litigation management in mind.” – Insurance

“It has a good balance of technical legal and communication skills.” – Insurance

“Lots of things! The firm provides regular updates of the file and it is proactive with its approach. Accommodating with all aspects of enquiries and requests. The firm is also very personable and approachable.” – Insurance

“Responsive, pragmatic and understands our business well. The advice provided is well balanced and culturally aligned. All the lawyers who support us have developed excellent relationships with the relevant members of my team.” – Labour and employment

“Exceptionally open and communicative. Very fast with practical responses. I have built a fantastic relationship with the firm and find it really helpful.” – Labour and employment

“The firm responds to our issues promptly and in a manner that we find easy to understand, it has a number of lawyers that we use that are all very knowledgeable in their respective areas.” – Labour and employment

“Very broad knowledge base, coupled with its accessibility, diligence, attention to detail and promptness.” – Regulatory

Erich Bachmann

“Knowledgeable, approachable, diligent, prompt and friendly.”

Stephanie Corban

“Corban is calm but focused, brings a wealth of experience to each file, and is fully engaged on every file.”

“Great communication and thorough.”

Nick Gillies

“Very good at communication and excellent industry knowledge.”

“Knows the industry well. Always thinking of the most sensible, practical approach. Easy to deal with.”

“Very knowledgeable in construction contracts and dispute resolution processes. Works closely with clients and has team support.”

Glen Holm-Hansen

“Strategic thinking.”

Sam Houliston

“Great advice, very down to earth, well aligned to our approach and culture. Wonderful sense of humour.”

“Sam is responsive and practical; he takes the time to listen and responds accordingly. I never have an issue getting hold of the team; he has a great sense of humour and an excellent knowledge of employment and health and safety legislation.”

Alison Maelzer

“Excellent communicator, strategic thinking and solution-focused.”

Helen MacFarlane

“Committed. Works hours to achieve deadlines where necessary. Excellent legal knowledge.”

Jim Roberts

“Roberts is a partner in the firm and is the lead for our business. We have been dealing with Jim for over 10 years. Through this time, he has built up a substantial knowledge base of our industry and employer. He understands the challenges we have in taking on New Zealand's largest government department.”

K3 Legal offers a broad range of litigation services within a boutique practice. Director James Nolen specialises in dispute resolution, restructuring and insolvency. He frequently acts for receivers, liquidators and commercial creditors on both contentious and non-contentious insolvency and enforcement issues. Director Brent O’Callahan left the firm in April 2019.

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Acting for one of two partners in a long running partnership dispute dating back to 1991 between two international businessmen concerning a fortune amassed from international steel trading and investment.

Acting for a group of shareholders involved in a shareholder dispute with other shareholders regarding the ownership structures of a large hotel chain.

Key clients

New Zealand New Oak Property, Thai Herrick, Vasundhara Enterprises

Restructuring and insolvency

Work highlights

Acting for the replacement administrator for a company placed into voluntary administration.

Advising a client as a secured lender to Arrow International, a large construction company that was placed in voluntary liquidation.

Key clients

Vasundhara Enterprises

Client feedback

“The partners are practical and commercial.” – Dispute resolution

James Nolen

“Nolen is pragmatic and commercial in the advice he gives.”

LangtonHudsonButcher is an employment law and industrial relations specialist law firm. The firm practices across all three of the main employment practice areas, including contentious, non-contentious and corporate transactional work. Managing partner Stephen Langton advises clients on a wide range of employment law and industrial relations issues.

Labour and employment

Work highlights

Representing Restaurant Brands in legal proceedings concerning employee statutory minimum entitlements brought by the labour inspector from the Employment Relations Authority. This case was earmarked in 2019 as a case of interest by the employment court.

Representing GEA Process Engineering in long running proceedings at the Employment Relations Authority against a former employee for breaching his employment duties.

Key clients

Freightways, Godfrey Hirst NZ, Plan B, Vector

Client feedback

“Responsive, understands our business risk appetite and provides pragmatic advice within that context.” – Labour and employment

“Responsive. Friendly. Creative. Provides advice beyond expectations.” – Labour and employment

“Responsive with pragmatic advice.” – Labour and employment

“Pragmatic, cost-effective advice combined with very strategic thinking and a substantial depth of knowledge in its field.” – Labour and employment

“All lawyers are very capable, competent and provide pragmatic advice.” – Labour and employment

“Focused on employment law only. Large, dedicated and highly-responsive team.” – Labour and employment

Emma Butcher

“Butcher is a great listener. She ensures that she has a clear understanding of the situation she is advising on. She understands our risk profile and incorporates that clearly into her advice. She knows how to coach my different leaders to get a great result, recognising their different skills and experience levels. Emma is amazing.”

Stephen Langton

“Responsive and available.”

“Energy, style, depth of knowledge, strategic style, litigation ability.”

“Langton is very intelligent and knows employment law well. He is pragmatic and offers solutions to tricky situations. I never have to second-guess his judgement or decisions. He is prompt, and efficient in his time, and is always available. You do not get sent off to juniors.”

“Personable, intelligent and efficient. Leads the firm well.”

Andrew Schirnack

“Pragmatic and knowledgeable with a great sense of humour.”

Established in 2015 by insolvency specialist and litigator Brent Norling, boutique law firm Norling Law focuses on insolvency and restructuring, and litigation and dispute resolution. The firm is particularly strong at shareholder and construction disputes.

Restructuring and insolvency

Work highlights

Advised 90 Nine on liquidation laws in New Zealand.

With a team of 330 people, including 43 partners and other legal staff in offices across Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, Simpson Grierson is highly ranked across different sectors and practice areas. Stuart Evans is head of the firm’s banking and finance department and regularly acts for banks and non-bank funders across the full spectrum of real estate financing, including construction, development, and investment financing.

Tompkins Wake provides the full range of property law services throughout New Zealand. Mark Renner is head of the firm’s corporate and commercial team and is experienced in M&A, joint ventures, projects and commercial contracts and equity financing, including public securities offerings. Mark Lowndes and Kerri Dewe from Lowndes joined the firm as partners in September 2020.

Corporate and M&A

Work highlights

Advised BLIF on its sale of Edenz Colleges tertiary education business to Australian group, Australian Technical and Management Colleges. The firm was involved in all aspects of the negotiations and drafting of the transaction documentation.

Key clients

Danaher Corporation, Zambion Corporation, Zip Co

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Represented two directors of an independent dairy industry processor in defending a substantial high court claim initiated by former potential investors over breach of a joint venture agreement.

Key clients

Hamilton City Council

Founded in 2018, Vince & Rice specialises in banking and finance and restructuring law. The firm advises clients across New Zealand and overseas on financing and restructuring transactions. One of the founders of the firm, John-Paul Rice, has 20 years of experience in banking, restructuring and financial services law.

Banking and finance

Work highlights

Advised Centuria on the New Zealand financing aspects of its takeover of Augusta Capital, including undertaking a detailed due diligence of the target group’s financing arrangements.

Key clients

Ariadne Australia, China Construction Bank (New Zealand), Manuka Health New Zealand, Orams Group

Restructuring and insolvency

Work highlights

Advised Freshmax Global on substantial restructuring to traditional bank covenant structures.

Key clients

Green & McCahill Holdings, Icon Property Group

Client feedback

“Among its key strengths is having an in-depth local and global knowledge of banking and finance law. Very good commercial and M&A legal knowledge and aptitude. Client care is excellent, as well as being transparent and upfront on fees throughout the engagement. Better value for money than the larger New Zealand firms.” – Banking and finance

John-Paul Rice

“Jean-Paul Rice’s performance and contribution has been excellent and invaluable. A highly commercial finance lawyer.”

TMT specialist Webb Henderson advises telecoms operators and media companies on complex and cutting-edge corporate, commercial and regulatory projects. Apart from that, the firm also advises clients on investment projects and energy and infrastructure transactions. The firm’s M&A team comprises four partners: Garth Sinclair, Graeme Quigley, Michael Gartshore and Henry Willis. Nicole Xanthopol joined firm in July 2019. Her practice covers structured financing transactions, acquisition financing, debt capital markets, and retirement village development work.

Banking and finance

Work highlights

Acted for ANZ Bank New Zealand on the stage three financing of Northbridge Lifecare Trust.

Key clients

9 Spokes

Corporate and M&A

Work highlights

Acted for SilverTree Equity and Pioneer Capital on the acquisition of shares in Agility CIS, a leading provider of utility customer information and billing systems software headquartered in New Zealand.

Key clients

AMA Group, BSI Group Assurance, New Zealand Frost Fans

Restructuring and insolvency

Work highlights

Advised GR Media Holdings on the capital restructuring of MediaWorks.

Key clients

Pacific Dawn, Pepkor, Stevenson Group

Technology and telecommunications

Work highlights

Advised Spark New Zealand Trading on the sale of its entertainment streaming business ‘Lightbox’ to Sky Network Television.

Key clients

Avaroa Cable, Chorus, NBN Co

Client feedback

“Good communication with clients, knowing what is going on in the client's business sector, and having senior members of staff working on your files.” – Corporate and M&A

Henry Willis

“Willis is very responsive and provides solid legal advice.”

Founded in 2002, litigation specialist Wilson Harle focuses on commercial, public law disputes, and regulatory matters. The firm is also known for handling trust disputes, defamation, media litigation and commercial services regulations. Partner Chris Browne’s practice covers commercial litigation and public law practice. Litigation partner Ian Denton regularly advises on a wide range of commercial issues including competition and regulatory matters.

Competition/antitrust

Work highlights

Acting for Wilson Parking in the commerce commission’s proceedings regarding a non-notified acquisition of a carpark building lease in Wellington.

Dispute resolution

Work highlights

Acting for New Zealand Retail Property Group in a commercial dispute against Auckland Council and Auckland Transport over the design and construction of a new town centre in West Auckland.

Key clients

Auckland District Health Board, Keyland Investments, Napier City Council

Client feedback

“The firm has good technical knowledge of competition law. It is personable, easy to work with and has good client skills.” – Competition/antitrust

“The firm offered comprehensive assistance and advice, including management of extensive discovery obligations.” – Dispute resolution

Chris Browne

“An outstanding dispute resolution lawyer with extensive experience and skills.”

Ian Denton

“Denton is an excellent lawyer. He has great technical skills, and is excellent at communicating with clients.”