Among the newly elevated lawyers is the firm's head of infrastructure
Russell McVeagh has promoted home-grown lawyers Michael Loan, Alex MacDuff, Bevan Peachey, and Hannah Wilson to the partnership.
Loan is the firm's head of infrastructure. His practice covers M&A, joint ventures, and corporate and project finance transactions; moreover, he has aided clients in the progression of their projects and investment strategies in renewables and the broader infrastructure sector, Russell McVeagh said.
He has led capital formation and investment transactions across renewable energy subsectors such as offshore and onshore wind, solar, and waste-to-energy. In 2022, he returned to the firm’s corporate advisory team after 13 years in London, where for eight years, he worked with Macquarie’s Green Investment Group.
As a general commercial litigator, MacDuff specialises in restructuring, insolvency, and special situations. He has advised corporates, financial institutions, insolvency practitioners, and other stakeholders on structuring and restructurings, stressed and distressed refinancings. He has also tackled corporate and company disputes.
He rejoined Russell McVeagh in late 2021 after a tenure with Allen & Overy's global restructuring group in London. While with Allen & Overy, he advised on high-profile cross-border and domestic matters.
Peachey concentrates on project finance and matters in the infrastructure and energy sectors. He has worked with domestic and international financial institutions, corporate borrowers, sponsors, and government agencies on a variety of strategic financing transactions and infrastructure projects.
He has handled financing and infrastructure transactions both in New Zealand and internationally. After starting his legal career with Russell McVeagh, he relocated to the UK, where he worked with Norton Rose Fulbright. He then rejoined Russell McVeagh on returning to New Zealand.
Wilson is a specialist in matters involving M&A, commercial contracting, joint venture, and shareholder arrangements. Prior to rejoining Russell McVeagh in January 2022, she logged a stint with Hogan Lovells, where she tackled strategic transactions for clients in the life sciences and automotive industries.
Board chair Allison Arthur-Young highlighted the overseas experience of the newly promoted lawyers.
“Bringing this experience to central areas of considerations for many organisations across Aotearoa, including infrastructure, renewable energy, and environmental, social and governance (ESG) areas, [the newly promoted lawyers] are each helping organisations respond to risks and to take advantage of opportunities across a broad spectrum of areas,” she said.
The promotions are subject to the fulfillment of Law Society requirements.
