The ‘commercially-focused’ team at Bell Gully has been praised for its ability to provide ‘strategic and practical advice’ to its diverse roster of clients. A key port of call for multi-national companies, financial sponsors, financial institutions and government agencies, the team is well-positioned to act on the full spectrum of M&A and corporate matters. The practice is steered by Dean Alderton who works closely with clients and their advisers at both legal and strategic level, hailing from the consumer goods, waste, energy, healthcare, telecommunications, retail, and technology sectors. Anna Buchly, a ‘trusted partner’, regularly advises on New Zealand’s biggest and most complex deals involving blue-chip corporates and world-leading private equity clients. James Gibson is noted for his experience across all types of public and private M&A transactions and securities offerings, while Glenn Joblin is regularly engaged by New Zealand and global insurers on regulatory matters, including approvals required for M&A transactions or group reorganisations. The ‘strategic and practical’ Toby Sharpe advises clients across a comprehensive range of corporate issues. Another key contact is Jennifer Coote who advises corporates, private equity and sovereign wealth funds on transactions spanning an broad range of industries.

The ‘excellent’ team at Chapman Tripp is lauded by clients for its ‘incredibly knowledgeable’ and ‘sensible’ advice. The team acts for a range of domestic and international clients on a range of corporate mandates, and handled a steady flow of transactions in the telecoms sector. Tim Tubman specialises in cross-border and financial services M&A and his recent highlights include advising Partners Life on its sale to Tokyo-listed insurer Dai-ichi Life for $1bn. Rachel Dunne and Roger Wallis are both praised for their ability to provide ‘pragmatic, solution-orientated’ advice. Dunne is noted for her focus on equity capital markets, M&A and corporate governance, while Wallis specialises in corporate and securities law. Lauren Curtayne regularly acts on the energy aspects of business transactions and advises on a wide range of energy regulation compliance and consumer law. Other notable individuals include John Strowger, Joshua Pringle, and associate Philip Ascroft who is noted for his ‘great technical capabilities.’

The corporate team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts is ‘well-versed on commercial realities’ and praised for its ‘very pragmatic and commercial’ approach.’ The team’s expertise covers public and private M&A, private equity and capital markets, corporate governance, and regulatory matters to its clients which operate across a myriad of sectors and industries, spanning food and beverage, manufacturing, agriculture, financial services, transport, healthcare and education. The team is jointly led by the ‘commercial and realistic’ Neil Millar and John Conlan. Millar spearheads the corporate team in Auckland and is a key port of call for some of the world’s largest corporates, while Conlan, who leads the Wellington team, specialises in M&A, corporate advisory and complex commercial contracting and restructuring. Mark Forman is noted for his expertise in overseas investment laws, corporate governance, shareholder agreements, and employee shareholding arrangements. Other notable individuals include Mark Stuart who possesses the capability to advise clients on all aspects of M&A, capital markets, and commercial and business transactions, and associate Igor Drinkovic who specialises in public M&A and securities law.

Praised for its ‘very strong commercial instincts, capability, and complete calm even in the most difficult and stressful situations’, the corporate team at Russell McVeagh handles a steady stream of deals for a diverse portfolio of clients. The team’s expertise is notably pronounced in the financial services, private equity, and government sectors. The practice is spearheaded by David Hoare, who regularly advises high-profile clients on all aspects of complex corporate and commercial transactions. Wellington-based Mei Fern Johnson is noted for her expertise in infrastructure, transport, technology, energy, and joint ventures, with a track record of advising on significant market transactions, including Beijing Capital Group’s $1.9bn sale of Waste Management NZ. The ‘incredibly helpful’ Dan Jones, lauded for his ‘excellent industry knowledge’, specialises in M&A, capital markets and corporate advisory work for public and privately owned clients. A litany of local and international private equity fund managers turn to Ben Paterson for representation in the full scope of corporate transactions. With over three decades of experience, Joe Windmeyer is recommended for M&A, joint ventures, and securities matters, while Cath Shirley-Brown has a specific focus on cross-border transactions. All individuals mentioned above are based in Auckland unless otherwise stated.

With expertise spanning the healthcare, technology, infrastructure, insurance and New Zealand primary sectors, Simpson Grierson draws considerable praise from clients, who turn to the team for its ‘commercial and pragmatic’ approach in a range of corporate transactions. The practice is further lauded for its ‘true full-service’ offering and its ability to handle cross-border transactions. Practice head Andrew Matthews advises a diverse roster of clients, including listed corporates, private equity funds and family offices. Don Holborow has wide-ranging corporate expertise which includes takeovers, securities insurance, corporate restructuring and compliance, while James Hawes has extensive experience in M&A, joint ventures, and private equity and venture capital. ‘Top-class lawyer’ Michael Pollard has been praised for his ‘sharp commercial mind’ and ‘solid and pragmatic advice.’  Simon Vannini has specialist expertise in significant business acquisitions and has been described as a ‘skilled negotiator that remains cool, calm and collected regardless of the intensity of the situation.’

Lauded for its ability to ‘balance legal advice with pragmatic, commercial realities’, and grasp the ‘key commercial issues in relation to M&A deals’, the team at Buddle Findlay is well-positioned to advise clients on the full spectrum of corporate mandates. The team has a track record of advising on complex transactions for both domestic and international clients, regularly drawing on the resources of the firm’s wider legal specialists. The ‘extremely talented’ Grant Dunn spearheads the Auckland-based group and has broad experience in leveraged cross-border M&A, public takeovers, schemes of arrangement, joint ventures and consortium arrangements. Mark Odlin leads the team from Christchurch and acts on the full gamut of corporate issues. The ‘very commercial’ Nick Bragg is recommended for his experience across a broad range of M&A, capital markets and securities transactions, while Sarah McEwan is noted for her banking and finance expertise. Special counsel Benjamin Sutton is another name to note.

The ‘client-focused’ team at Dentons New Zealand leverages the firm’s expansive global network to advise on complex cross-border M&A transactions and is actively involved in a range of domestic acquisitions and joint ventures. Auckland-based practice head Chris Parke has notable expertise in the insurance, infrastructure, TMT, healthcare and food sectors. The ‘outstanding’ David Shillson is praised for his ‘breadth of experience and depth of expertise.’ Wook Jin Lee, who is ‘smart, commercial and savvy’, regularly acts for listed issuers, private businesses, and private equity fund managers on the full spectrum of corporate deals and capital markets transactions. The team is strengthened by the arrival of tax partner Bruce Bernachhi. Heida Donegan departed.

On account of the firm’s global network, DLA Piper New Zealand boasts a ‘technically strong and very knowledgeable’ team, further lauded for its ‘broad range of experience.’ Counting multinationals, listed companies, private equity and venture funds, government agencies and financial institutions among its clients, the team is well-positioned to handle the full spectrum of corporate and M&A mandates. The team is jointly led by Auckland-based Martin Thomson and Wellington-based Rachel Taylor. Thomson is noted for his specialist expertise in domestic and cross-border M&A and venture capital transactions, while Taylor is a key contact for listed companies, insurers, trustees, registrars, and other corporates. Martin Wiseman handles the full gamut of corporate matters, with a track record of acting on some of New Zealand’s biggest and most complex transactions. Reuben Woods focuses on cross-border, multi-jurisdictional transactions, while associate Aoife O’Gorman, a dual-qualified practitioner (New Zealand and Ireland), regularly handles cross-border M&A and venture capital matters.

Harmos Horton Lusk Limited's 'exceptional’ corporate practice is praised for its ‘unmatched work ethic' and ‘pragmatic and commercial approach'. The team is well-positioned to act for its diverse roster of clients on complex and challenging transactions and strategic advisory engagements, specialising in public and private M&A and equity capital markets transactions. Andrew Harmos is noted for his specialist expertise in public M&A transactions, while Nathanael Starrenburg regularly acts for clients on M&A, capital markets, and corporate advisory matters. Tim Mitchelson is ‘very practical, responsive and commercial’, and Paul Oldfield is ‘ a real guru on all New Zealand securities issues.’ 

Praised for its ‘very strong market knowledge’, the team at Mayne Wetherell handles a steady stream of public and private M&A transactions for a range of domestic and international clients. The practice is jointly led by Auckland-based Matthew Olsen and Michael Pritchard. Olsen has extensive experience advising on cross-border transactions and high-value M&A deals and is a trusted advisor to some of the largest global institutional investors, while Pritchard’s clients include public and private companies, private equity firms and other institutional investors. Charlotte Garland was promoted to partner in May 2023.

Webb Henderson works with a diverse roster of domestic and international clients across a range of sectors. The practice is jointly led by Auckland-based Garth Sinclair who acts for a broad range of clients, including international and domestic companies, financial sponsors, high-net-worth individuals and shareholders, and Graeme Quigley is ‘strong technically as well as commercially‘.  A litany of listed entities and private equity firms turn to Michael Gartshore for his advice on the full range of corporate transactions.

Leveraging its strong nationwide footprint, the corporate team at Anderson Lloyd earns high praise from clients for its ‘genuinely full-service’ offering and ‘exceptional service.’ With offices in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown, the practice is adeptly positioned to assist its client base, consisting of national and international corporates, private equity firms and other institutional investors on a broad range of M&A transactions. The team is led by Christchurch-based Ben Johnston which also includes the ‘exceptional’ Auckland-based Bede Maher and Chris Bargery who regularly advises international private equity funds on investments.

Anthony Harper‘s diverse roster of clients includes a mix of domestic and international corporates to family businesses. The team possesses a wealth of experience across the agribusiness, automotive, construction, technology, and retail sectors. Practice head Chris Dann has extensive M&A experience, aligned with his logistics and transport industry specialisation. David Gould has particular expertise in sales, and M&A transactions, corporate restructurings, equity placements, and management shareholding structures, while Alex Campbell works closely with a range of major international and local manufacturers on a range of commercial matters. Matt Smith focuses on the technology and electricity industries. Other notable individuals include Sam Wilson and associate Jordan Wright.

Corporate boutique firm Flacks & Wong is well positioned to advise on the full gamut of corporate matters, including public takeovers, private M&A, and corporate governance. The Auckland-based practice is steered by Daniel Wong, who is a key adviser to a number of NZX-listed companies, who instruct him on a broad spectrum of corporate and capital markets transactions. Senior associate Katie Green has left the practice.

Operating across a myriad of sectors and industries, the corporate team at Hesketh Henry is steered by Kate Telford who regularly advises on joint ventures, shareholder agreements, manufacturing agreements, distribution agreements, and financing transactions. Praised for his ability to ‘find solutions and excellent compromises’, Erich Bachmann is regularly instructed by local and international clients, particularly investors from Germany and other German-speaking countries. Julika Wahlmann-Smith was promoted to partner in January 2023.

The ‘very knowledgable’ corporate team at Lane Neave is now led by Aaron Pickett who joined from Malugo Darling Law & Advisory following the departure of former head Claire Evans. The team also welcomed Andrew Comer who joined from Stace Hammond. Recent instructions include inbound investments and multimillion NZD M&A transactions.

Matthew Mallett and Daniel Croft lead the newly formed Mallett Partners in Wellington, following the demerger of Morrison Mallett. The practice acts for a wide range of clients, ranging from start-ups and leading corporate entities to international organisations and private equity funds. Mallett excels in M&A and general corporate advisory matters, while Croft regularly advises on a wide array of commercial contracts, including professional services, distribution, franchising and outsources services contracts.

In the aftermath of the Morrison Mallett demerger, Ben Morrison and Victoria Anderson have taken the helm of the newly established Morrison Partners, based in Auckland. Morrison is noted for his experience advising on commercial property transactions, while Anderson is recommended for her specialist expertise in corporate and commercial law, particularly in the areas of restructuring and international investment.

Leveraging the extensive capabilities of the Big Four firm, PwC Legal New Zealand draws on a wide range of services to provide clients with a comprehensive M&A service. Praised as ‘commercial, pragmatic, and responsive’, the team handles the full gamut of corporate transactions including foreign investment, capital raising, and M&A. The Auckland office is jointly led by Tom Logan, a key port of call for clients hailing from the retail, FMCG and technology sectors, and Matt Keenan, who is lauded for his ‘proactive and commercial-based solutions to complex tax and legal issues.’ In Christchurch, the office is under the leadership of  Joelle Grace and Claire Evans, both of whom joined from Lane Neave.

Tompkins Wake is ‘very experienced with cross-border transactions and is active and connected throughout the region‘. The team is regularly instructed on large and complex transactions, across every aspect of the company’s lifecycle. The practice is steered by Hamilton-based Mark Renner who handles the full spectrum of corporate mandates, ranging from joint ventures and commercial contracts to private debt and equity financing. Mark Lowndes, based in Auckland, is praised as a ‘visionary in relation to business issues and finding solutions.’ 

The corporate group at Wynn Williams excels in acquisitions and divestments in the transport and logistics sectors. The team is particularly praised for its ability to ‘work in partnership and provide innovative solutions’. Practice head Hayley Buckley counts large corporates, private equity investment funds, and managers in management buy-outs as her key clients and is supported by managing partner Ash Hill who handles a mix of M&A, capital raising, venture capital, and corporate advisory matters.