The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Minter Ellison is a second tier firm,

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts’s banking and finance practice offers a ‘very good service’ according to clients. The practice worked for the a host of banks regarding a finance facility for Fisher & Paykel Appliances Group in May 2009, which amounted to nearly $500m. The team acted for four companies in the acquisition of private equity finance facilities worth $40m for its client, Paper Holdings. The practice also advised Goldman Sachs JBWere in 2009. Tom Fail is singled out by clients for his ‘project finance’ experience. Paul Foley is also recommended for his ‘commercial acumen’.

Within Corporate and M&A, Minter Ellison is a second tier firm,

A highlight of 2009 for the corporate and M&A practice at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts was the capital raising for Goldman Sachs JBWere in connection with its placement as manager and agent for investors in NZ$178m worth of shares in SKYCITY Entertainment Group. The practice frequently acted in the acquisition of shares and assets in 2008, including acting for BJ Ball in the acquisition of assets from shareholders such as Archer Capital.

Within Dispute resolution, Minter Ellison is a second tier firm,

Clients praise Minter Ellison Rudd Watts’ ‘excellent service’ and highlight Paul Radich as ‘particularly good’. The practice acted for the Bank of New Zealand in credit card claims proceedings brought by the Commerce Commission. Another highlight for the practice was acting for Korda Mentha in its role as receiver for the property development company, Whisper Cove.

Within Employment, Minter Ellison is a second tier firm,

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts represented Hirequip in defence of a misrepresentation claim put forward by a former employee for more than NZ$6m. In September 2008, the team represented South Pacific Tyres in an internal investigation following an employee fatality. According to clients, the ‘very strong’ employment team offers an ‘excellent’ level of service and is ‘an excellent source of historical information’. Karen Spackman is singled out for her ‘exceptional legal
advice’.

Within Intellectual property, Minter Ellison is a second tier firm,

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts acted on behalf of NZ Communications throughout the launch of its new brand, 2degrees. The practice also acted on behalf of Phil & Ted’s Most Excellent Buggy Company in its acquisition of the ‘Mountain Buggy’ brand; and for De Beers in its launch of the ‘Forever’ brand.

Within Legal market overview,

A handful of full-service firms, namely Bell Gully, Buddle Findlay, Chapman Tripp, Kensington Swan, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts, Russell McVeagh and Simpson Grierson, dominate much of the New Zealand legal market due to their diverse resources and coverage of the North and South Islands.

Within Projects and resource management, Minter Ellison is a second tier firm,

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts is recommended for its ‘strong, commercially orientated service’. The practice is acting on behalf of the 50MW Taharoa Windfarm to secure the go-ahead for the project. The practice also acted for Advanced Metering Services and Pike River Coal in 2008 and 2009. Andrew Montieth provides ‘excellent commercial property-related advice’.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Minter Ellison is a third tier firm,

In 2009, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts advised McGrath Nicol & Partners regarding receivership of Australian ABC early childhood learning companies, involving A$1.6bn of secured debt, and on the receivership of the Geotherm Group, which incurred NZ$90m of secured debt.

Within Tax, Minter Ellison is a second tier firm,

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts recently advised UDC in relation to the establishment of two PIE funds. The practice also advised a credit rating agency with regard to the internal securitisation of residential mortgage-backed securities by major trading banks. Other active clients of the practice include American Express, British Telecom and Morgan Stanley. Andrew Ryan is a key figure in the team.