The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Kensington Swan is a third tier firm,

Kensington Swan delivers an ‘excellent’ overall level of service. Catriona Grover advised Assure New Zealand Limited on simplifying its product offerings while maintaining an overall funds under management retention figure of 95%. Other highlights included advising Perpetual Trust Limited on the establishment of the NZ Funds KiwiSaver Scheme, and acting for CentrePort Limited on its NZ$203m revolving cash advance facility with Westpac Banking Corporation.

Within Corporate and M&A, Kensington Swan is a third tier firm,

Kensington Swan has a team of ‘very motivated lawyers’. Martin Dalgleish is ‘a pure M&A man’, and David Shillson a ‘corporate restructuring guru’. The firm recently acted for the Wallace family trusts during a competitive sale process and subsequent sale of shares in Electropar Limited to US-based Preformed Line Products Company; and assisted Oyster Bay Marlborough Vineyards Limited through its takeover by Delegat’s Wine Estate Limited.

Within Dispute resolution, Kensington Swan is a third tier firm,

Kensington Swan is acting for one of the world’s largest international airline operators in the air cargo litigation. Saxmere Company Limited instructed the firm in a case likely to set an important new precedent on costs awards in the Supreme Court. Key clients include AMP Capital, Johnson & Johnson, and Bankwest.

Within Employment, Kensington Swan is a second tier firm,

Kensington Swan’s Anthony Drake is ‘always able to make time to assist’, and has ‘loads of experience’. Greg Cain was appointed as a partner, bolstering the firm’s Wellington team. Highlights included leading and novel cases such as successfully representing Visionstream Pty Ltd in resisting claims that it breached OECD Guidelines. The standalone health and safety practice acted in a number of high-profile cases, including in relation to the death of a Waitakere City Council employee.

Within Intellectual property, Kensington Swan is a second tier firm,

The team at Kensington Swan has a ‘can-do’ attitude, and is ‘excellent, prompt and efficient’. Sheana Wheeldon is ‘very knowledgeable, commercially savvy, practical and always available’. Special counsel Jenni Rutter, previously a partner in the London office of Baker & McKenzie LLP, is a significant senior addition to the team.

Within Projects and resource management, Kensington Swan is a third tier firm,

Kensington Swan gained some significant new clients, including Solid Energy, Transpacific Industries Limited and Unison Networks Limited. It recently acted for the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Within Real estate and construction, Kensington Swan is a second tier firm,

Kensington Swan’s team has a ‘good understanding of client needs and the ability to translate difficult legal issues into layman’s terms’. It is exclusive legal provider to the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation, and board member to the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Kensington Swan is a third tier firm,

Kensington Swan is ‘responsive and commercial with the advice it provides, exceeding expectations’; ‘the overall level of service is excellent’. Significant clients include the Bank of Western Australia; trade creditors in the voluntary administration of Whitcoulls/Borders; HSBC; and Ngati Tama Custodian Trustee Limited. Dan Hughes is noted for his ability to provide commercial solutions in insolvency disputes.