The stars of the NZ legal profession shone on an unforgettable night
The cream of the crop in the New Zealand legal profession was revealed last night in the unforgettable star-studded affair that was the 2023 NZ Law Awards.
Members of the industry glammed up for a black-tie gala held at the Cordis Auckland to celebrate the top law firms, lawyers, in-house legal teams, arbitrators, mediators and service providers across 27 categories.
Event partner LexisNexis sponsored the Boutique Law Firm of the Year award, while event sponsor Resolution Institute looked to recognise the Mediator of the Year. James & Wells put their stamp on the In-house Lawyer of the Year award, while Russell McVeagh looked to honour the In-house Team of the Year.
Fluid Legal Recruitment sponsored the Employer of Choice (<100 Lawyers) award. LEAP Legal Software sought to award the Mid-Size Law Firm of the Year, while Robert Walters looked to recognise the Large Law Firm of the Year.
NZ Lawyer also celebrated the Excellence Awardees that made judging this year’s awards extremely difficult, showcasing the breadth and depth of legal talent in the country today.
The winners and excellence awardees are as follows:
Winner: Financing for Igneo’s acquisition of Waste Management NZ
Lead firms: Bell Gully, Simpson Grierson
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): ANZ Bank New Zealand, Craigs Investment Partners, MUFG Bank, Hong Kong Branch, Natixis, RBC Capital Markets, Royal Bank of Canada
Judges' comments include: " A complex deal due to the nature of the syndicate and the breadth; A novel approach identified to convert to green loan.; Large, complex and innovative transaction that allows for ESG improvements over time."
Auckland Council Sustainability-Linked Loans
New Zealand sovereign Green Bond Framework and first green bond issuance
Senior Debt for Tourism Holdings Ltd as part of merger with Apollo Tourism and Leisure
Syndicated funding for Allegro’s acquisition of fuel retailer Gull NZ
Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira Inc senior debt facilities to fund the purchase of properties from the Crown
Winner: $2.2-billion Recapitalisation of Air New Zealand
Lead firms: Allen & Overy, Bell Gully, Chapman Tripp, Russell McVeagh
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): Baker & McKenzie, Calibre Partners, Citibank, Citigroup, Craigs Investment Partners, Deloitte, Forsyth Barr, Goldman Sachs, Herbert Smith Freehills, KPMG, Sidley Austin, UBS, Vorigo Advisory
Judges' comments include: "A novel, impressive, complex deal with many facets to manage, undertaken in uncertain market conditions; A worthy winner.; High value, high stakes and public interest - perfectly executed; Significant size and complexity of the transaction at a critical point for the company; This deal meets the judging criteria in all respects."
Heartland Group Holdings $200 million equity raise
Ryman Healthcare $902.4 million capital raise
Winner: Financing of special purpose vehicle to fund infrastructure and urban development projects in Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty
Lead firms: Bell Gully, Buddle Findlay
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): Bank of New Zealand, Chapman Tripp, Crown Infrastructure Partners, Deloitte, KPMG, Mafic Partners, Simpson Grierson, Tauranga City Council, Westpac New Zealand
Judges' comments include: "Complexity of navigating the application of existing funding arrangements to a new regime together with the innovation involved make this deal notable.; First transaction under the IFFA, requiring the lawyers to create documentation that will no doubt be used by all others going forward.; Novel legislation and transaction."
Financing of Lodestone Energy Solar Project
Winner: Crown takes 100% control of Kiwibank with purchase of NZ Super Fund, Accident Compensation Corporation and NZ Post stakes
Lead firms: Chapman Tripp, MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Simpson Grierson, Webb Henderson
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): Cameron Partners
Judges' comments include: "A particularly complex transaction constrained by regulatory requirements demonstrating strong innovation and breadth across multiple regulatory areas.; Innovative response to a transaction that was challenging from a regulatory perspective."
Acquisition of Partners Life by Dai-ichi Life
Acquisition of Z Energy by Ampol
Futureverse roll-up and Series A capital raise
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board’s acquisition of 70% stake of Spark NZ’s passive mobile infrastructure business
Sale of One NZ (formerly Vodafone) Passive Mobile Towers to InfraRed and Northleaf Capital Partners
Winner: Liquidation of CBL Insurance Limited
Lead firm: Anthony Harper
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): CMQ Law, DLA Piper, Duncan Cotterill, Gilbert Walker, GlaisterEnnor, Harmos Horton Lusk, Hesketh Henry, King's Counsel, LeeSalmonLong, Lindsay & Francis, McElroys, McGrathNicol, Meredith Connell, Simpson Grierson
Judges' comments include: "Complex and high value case; First choice for many reasons, including the complexity added due to multi party proceedings involving criminal, regulatory and civil issues as well as innovative use of TAR.; Multi-jurisdictional, multi-party and numerous legal representatives - a complex transaction and settlement, worthy of this award."
Financial Restructuring and recapitalisation of Kurow Duntroon Irrigation Co.
Receivership of Optic Security Group Limited and Related Sale of Subsidiary
Winner: Sale of Trustpower retail business to Mercury Energy
Lead firms: Chapman Tripp, Russell McVeagh
All other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): Deloitte, Forsyth Barr, PwC
Judges' comments include: "A complex and technically difficult transaction in a highly regulated industry at the top end of the size for this category.; A transaction that had it all for the legal advisers to manage and negotiate their way through; The complexity and breadth of this transaction make it stand out, including restructures, High Court and NZCC approval and the different sectors involved."
Acquisition of Eastland Network by Igneo Infrastructure Partners
Acquisition of the Better Health Company by Nestlé New Zealand
AMP Sale of Collimate Capital
Fisher Funds purchase of Kiwi Wealth
Next Capital sale of New Zealand's largest urban bus operator to Kinetic NZ Holdings
Winner: Claude Smith, Meridian Energy
Judges' comments include: "A standout candidate with a very impressive list of achievements.; Proven to be a truly exceptional lawyer with a strong work ethic.; Shows all the key attributes of a great leader, including resilience, diligence, and empathy."
Amir Ansari, Tourism Holdings
Lisa Cameron, Meta
Charlotte Foster, Warner Bros. Discovery
Angus Haines, DB Breweries
Nerida Kennedy, Datacom
Penny Kitto, Metlifecare
Marcus Playle, Lion
Winner: Jason Nichols, Fonterra Co-operative Group
Judges' comments include: "An impressive array of challenges and achievements over the relevant year; The quality of Jason's innovative work and leadership skills are impressive; Highly complex, big dollar deal work."
Melissa Anastasiou, Spark New Zealand
Penny Bower, Waste Management NZ
Paris Bree, New Zealand Oil & Gas
Kirsten Clayton, Contact Energy
Justine Hollows, Winton
Juliet Jones, One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone)
Jack Lynskey, Wealthpoint
Beth McKay, Crown Infrastructure Partners
Sponsored by James & Wells
Winner: IAG Legal Team
Judges' comments include: "The team has clearly delivered a lot of important strategic and innovative work; A team who are 'on their game' and across all aspects of the business delivering in a challenging environment"
AIA NZ
MAS - Medical Assurance Society
Partners Life Legal team
Perpetual Guardian - Legal
Winner: Meridian Energy
Judges' comments include: "A good submission showing the achievements over the judging period.; Strong focus of the team and organisation"
Genesis Legal Team
Lodestone Energy
Winner: 2degrees
Judges' comments include: "Huge achievements to be proud of; The transactions and how the legal team dealt with them demonstrate the legal team's ability to handle matters of high significance, complexity, and innovation"
One New Zealand
Spark New Zealand
Tuatahi First Fibre Legal & Regulatory Team
Winner: 2degrees
Judges' comments include: "Huge achievements to be proud of; The transactions and how the legal team dealt with them demonstrate the legal team's ability to handle matters of high significance, complexity, and innovation"
Air New Zealand
Crown Infrastructure Partners
Fonterra Legal Team
IAG Legal Team
Meridian Energy
SkyCity Entertainment Group
Waikato-Tainui In-House Legal Team
Waste Management New Zealand
Sponsored by Russell McVeagh
Winner: Bradley Aburn, Russell McVeagh
Judges' comments include: "An outstanding submission- a demonstrated commitment to the law and the institutions that surround it. Surely a long and illustrious career lies ahead.; Great to see a lawyer contributing in so many ways to the legal profession and the public. Relevant achievements well articulated; Strong external recognition."
Shane Campbell, Wynn Williams
Zac Fargher, Simpson Grierson
Tayla Johnston, MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Zac Kedgley-Foot, Bell Gully
Rosa McPhee, Chapman Tripp
Jade Magrath, Rice Speir
Samuel Moore, Wolfe Street Chambers
Jacob Nutt, DLA Piper New Zealand
Elizabeth Ogle, Webb Henderson
Winner: Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law
Judges' comments include: "A well rounded submission showcasing internal and external achievements while also demonstrating the breadth of the expertise of the firm."
Black Door Law
Copeland Ashcroft Law
McBride Davenport James
Richard Upton
Watermark Employment Law
Winner: Gilbert Walker
Judges' comments include: "An impressive list of work, with high calibre and complex client types.; Excellent testimonials and awards received. Clearly known for its dispute resolution practice; Submission is well thought out and covers the achievements of the firm well throughout the judging period."
Winner: Wilson Harle
Judges' comments include: "Impressive range of work and expertise demonstrated.; Professional and compelling; Submission demonstrates the breadth of practice expertise across the firm; Very impressed with this firm's progress - as a relatively new law firm which has quickly become a force to be reckoned with."
Morris
Norling Law
Russell Legal
Winner: AJ Park
Judges' comments include: "A very strong and compelling submission.; Very impressive work- especially the number of applications filed.; The firm delivers responsive client service and high-quality, actionable advice."
Henry Hughes IP
James & Wells
Zone Law
Winner: TBB
Judges' comments include: "A demonstrated market leader in the commercial property field with a team comprising respective and high calibre lawyers serving clients in major projects.; Submission showcases not only deals done by the firm but also identifies key awards received by employees and celebrates their contributions."
AlexanderDorrington
Convey Law
Domain Legal
Kate Sheehan Lawyers
Winner: Wotton + Kearney Lawyers
Judges' comments include: "Clear evidence of expertise, thought leadership and innovation; Well articulated internal and external achievements.; Impressive track record of representing high profile clients in complex and high-value litigation. Calibre lawyers."
Darroch Forrest Lawyers
Gilbert Walker
Winner: Webb Henderson
Judges' comments include: "Strong client highlights; The list of clients and work is impressive; Deep expertise in corporate, M&A and finance transactions and a rapidly growing competition law practice, involved highly complex transactions; Very impressed with the depth and breath of work this firm undertakes."
BlackmanSpargo Rural Law
Dixon & Co Lawyers
Flacks & Wong
Juno Legal
Sponsored by LexisNexis
Winner: Lane Neave
Judges' comments include: "impressive array of programmes and investment in their people; Great submission putting people transformation at the heart of the business."
Winner: Wynn Williams
Judges' comments include: "All rounded approach to supporting employees; impressive range of initiatives; People clearly are very important in everything they do"
AJ Park
Juno Legal
McCaw Lewis
Norling Law
Norris Ward McKinnon
PwC Legal
SHIFT Advisory
Sponsored by Fluid Legal Recruitment
Winner: Simpson Grierson
Judges' comments include: "A comprehensive and wide range of programs; Impressive D&I policy, pro bono programme and authentic treatment of pro bono hours; Really solid and building on their impressive foundation with initiatives that evolve with the times; All relevant criteria addressed cohesively."
Anderson Lloyd
Anthony Harper
Bell Gully
Chapman Tripp
Dentons
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Russell McVeagh
Tompkins Wake
Winner: Mayne Wetherell
Judges' comments include: "A top tiered mid-sized firm with an impressive list of clients and projects. Traditionally regarded as a Banking and Finance boutique firm, the depth of expertise that the firm now has will give big sized law firms the run for their money.; Very impressed with this firm and its achievements"
Cooney Lees Morgan
Harmos Horton Lusk
K3 Legal
McCaw Lewis
Sponsored by LEAP Legal Software
Winner: Russell McVeagh
Judges' comments include: "Expertise across a range of practices and an impressive list of projects.; The D&I strategy refresh deserves special recognition; A serious investment in people and culture.; The firm continues to execute quality work."
Anthony Harper
Bell Gully
Buddle Findlay
Chapman Tripp
Dentons
DLA Piper New Zealand
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Simpson Grierson
Tompkins Wake
Sponsored by Robert Walters
Winner: Wi Pere Mita, Laidlaw Law and Consultancy
Judges' comments include: "Large quantum of high-quality work, including pro-bono, across many areas, provision of scholarships and training means great knowledge sharing and upskilling for future professionals.; CSR initiatives deserve special praise.; Standout community contribution; Very impressive submission."
Simon Roughton, Orb Solutions Ltd
Sue Smith, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata | Human Rights Commission
Sponsored by Resolution Institute
Winner: Tim Walden, James & Wells
Judges' comments include: "Admirable bandwidth and results achieved for and with the firm; Impressive overall approach to leading.; Well rounded with achievements well articulated across the judging period."
Glenn Forster, McCaw Lewis
Sam Hood, Norris Ward McKinnon
Matthew Jones, Wynn Williams
Helen Mackay, Juno Legal
Sally Morris, Morris
Edwin Morrison, K3 Legal
Brent James Norling, Norling Law
Winner: Allison Arthur-Young, Russell McVeagh
Judges' comments include: "A great range of impressive leadership activities.; Vision and energy to take the firm forward from difficult times; The accolades and testimonials as well as the awards that Alison has received is a testament of her leadership qualities and skills.; Compassionate leader with a number of important focuses during the judging period"
Jon Calder, Tompkins Wake
Jennifer Caldwell, Buddle Findlay
Malcolm Hurley, Anthony Harper
Kerry O'Donnell, Anderson Lloyd
Laura Scampion, DLA Piper New Zealand
Hayden Wilson, Dentons
Winner: Laidlaw Law and Consultancy
Judges' comments include: "A long list of achievements aimed at access to justice during the judging period.; Hugely impressed with this firms investment in D+I; Strong impact in helping other organisations to build on tikanga practices"
Anderson Lloyd
Buddle Findlay
Dentons
DLA Piper New Zealand
MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Russell McVeagh
Simpson Grierson
The full list of winners can also be found here.
