Who were the big winners at last night’s event?
The legal community celebrated the country’s cream of the crop last night at this year’s New Zealand Law Awards held at the Cordis Auckland.
More than 700 legal professionals attended the gala event, which celebrated the work of the best of the profession in 28 categories, recognising the best firms, in-house teams, and transactions of the year.
Hosted by award-winning stand-up comedienne Urzila Carlson, the night also featured entertainment courtesy of Hipstamatics. NZ Lawyer congratulates all finalists and winners announced last night.
Look out for photos and further coverage of the event next week from NZ Lawyer and the official website www.lawawards.co.nz.
The New Zealand Law Awards 2019 winners are:
Deal Awards
Capital Markets Deal of the Year
Xero convertible note issuance
Firms: Allens; Bell Gully; Chapman Tripp; Gilbert + Tobin; Linklaters
Consumer, Media and Tech Deal of the Year
Bounty Fresh takeover of Tegel
Firms: Chapman Tripp; MinterEllisonRuddWatts; Russell McVeagh
Mid-Market Deal of the Year
Waimea Community Dam
Firms: Anderson Lloyd; Chapman Tripp; Pitt & Moore; Russell McVeagh
International Deal of the Year
AIA acquisition of sovereign life insurance business from CBA
Firms: Ashurst (AU); Bell Gully; Debevoise & Plimpton; Herbert Smith Freehills; Russell McVeagh
M&A Deal of the Year
Shell New Zealand divestment programme
Firms: Ashurst; Bell Gully; Chapman Tripp; Simpson Grierson
New Zealand Deal of the Year
Shell New Zealand divestment programme
Firms: Ashurst; Bell Gully; Chapman Tripp; Simpson Grierson
In-house Awards
Anthony Harper Young In-House Lawyer of the Year (35 or Under)
Paris Bree, General Counsel, New Zealand Oil & Gas
MinterEllisonRuddWatts In-House Lawyer of the Year
Marion Franks, Downer
Simpson Grierson Financial Services In-House Team of the Year
AIA New Zealand Legal Team
Russell McVeagh In-House Team of the Year
Spark New Zealand
Firm Awards
NICHE Recruiting Specialists Employment Law Specialist Firm of the Year
Litigation & Dispute Resolution Specialist Law Firm of the Year
Gilbert Walker
Intellectual Property Specialist Law Firm of the Year
Insurance Specialist Law Firm of the Year
Wotton + Kearney
Boutique Law Firm of the Year
Flacks & Wong
Legal Personnel Employer of Choice (<50 Lawyers)
WRMK Lawyers
Legal Personnel Employer of Choice (51-100 Lawyers)
Anthony Harper
Legal Personnel Employer of Choice (>100 Lawyers)
Bell Gully
Resolution Institute Mediator of the Year
Mark Kelly, Barrister & Commercial Mediator
Artemis Executive Recruitment Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (35 or Under)
Liz Blythe, Russell McVeagh
Managing Partner of the Year (≤100 Lawyers)
Jon Calder, Tompkins Wake
Managing Partner of the Year (>100 Lawyers)
Deal Team of the Year (>100 Lawyers)
Russell McVeagh, Corporate Team
LawPlus Regional/Suburban Law Firm of the Year
WRMK Lawyers
Chapman Tripp