The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Russell McVeagh is a first tier firm,

Russell McVeagh’s Guy Lethbridge is ‘very strong’, and played a leading role in structuring New Zealand’s first covered bond programme, including BNZ’s NZ$425m and BNZ-IF’s €1bn initial covered bond issues. Following Telecom New Zealand’s successful bid to deliver the government’s national fibre-to-home proposal, the firm is advising on all finance issues in relation to the demerger, which is the country’s largest in a decade.

Within Corporate and M&A, Russell McVeagh is a first tier firm,

Russell McVeagh’s team is ‘excellent all round’. It acted for Meridian, New Zealand’s largest electricity generator, on the restructuring of the government’s commercial interests in the electricity industry. Pip Greenwood advised Telecom Corporation of New Zealand Limited on its successful proposal to Crown Fibre Holdings to deliver the government’s national fibre-to-home proposal. She also assisted on numerous capital raisings, and was involved in major deals for NAB and Lion Nathan.

Within Dispute resolution, Russell McVeagh is a second tier firm,

The team at Russell McVeagh demonstrates ‘clarity of mind and professional expertise’. The ‘exceptional’ Sarah Katz ‘responds promptly and with clear, unambiguous advice that is appropriately tailored’. In the first insider trading case to proceed to trial in New Zealand, Katz successfully defended Shell against claims exceeding NZ$100m. Other active clients include Auckland International Airport, Vector Limited and Credit Suisse First Boston.

Within Employment, Russell McVeagh is a first tier firm,

Russell McVeagh acts for high-profile clients on some of New Zealand’s most significant employment matters. Recent highlights include successfully representing SKYCITY in relation to union industrial action and lockout issues, and assisting the New Zealand Post regarding the interpretation of an untested point of law under the Holidays Act. Key clients include Telecom, ABB Limited and Ports of Auckland Ltd. Richard McIlraith is noted for his ‘understanding of politics, and sensitivity’.

Within Projects and resource management, Russell McVeagh is a first tier firm,

Russell McVeagh acted for Meridian, New Zealand’s largest electricity generator, on the restructuring of government commercial interests in the electricity industry, and for TrustPower on an amendment to a water conservation order and related resource consent applications relating to the Lake Coleridge project. Derek Nolan ‘gives confidence’, and is noted for his ‘excellent senior advice’.

Within Real estate and construction, Russell McVeagh is a first tier firm,

Providing ‘extremely valuable strategic advice’, Russell McVeagh’s practice is also noted for its ‘scale and depth’. The firm advised Brookfield Multiplex on the leasing and strategic NZ$180m sale of the Deloitte Centre, and acted as sole property adviser to the Auckland Transition Agency on the NZ$8bn Auckland local government amalgamation.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Russell McVeagh is a third tier firm,

In addition to its involvement in aspects of the Whitcoulls/Borders and Yellow Pages Group administrations, Russell McVeagh is acting for Allan and Jean Hubbard in an unusual and complex statutory management case, and for PwC on the NZ$500m OPI Pacific Finance Limited receivership. Other active clients include Kordamentha, KPMG and Ferrier Hodgson (Australia).

Within Tax, Russell McVeagh is a first tier firm,

The highly esteemed Brendon Brown leads Russell McVeagh’s tax practice. The firm played a lead role in structuring New Zealand’s first covered bond programme, and advised the Auckland Transition Agency in relation to the structuring of the NZ$21bn Auckland ‘Supercity’ amalgamation. The firm is also representing Mediaworks NZ Limited and Radioworks Limited in proceedings against the Commissioner of Inland Revenue in respect of the tax consequences of the optional convertible note funding of the New Zealand group.