The Legal 500

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

Russell McVeagh’s ‘strong team’ acted for Credit Suisse in the $1.5bn acquisition of a bridge facility by the Reynold’s Group in February 2009. The firm also acted for a bank syndicate on the NZ$400 financing of Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holding’s acquisition of Vector Wellington’s electricity network in August 2008. In Auckland, the firm has eight partners working on financial and capital markets cases and four based in the Wellington office. Guy Lethbridge is ‘excellent’, and John Powell is ‘the leading lawyer’ in export credit agency-supported transactions.

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

‘One of the best’, Russell McVeagh is praised by clients for offering a ‘great’ level of service. In July 2008, the practice acted for the New Zealand Government and New Zealand Railways Corporation in the acquisition of Toll NZ rail and ferry, and the sale of Toll Trucking. A further highlight in 2008 was the instruction by Richina Pacific in the first transaction in a plan to restructure the company in an amalgamation with three Bermuda companies. Another acquisition the practice worked on was CHAMP Private Equity’s acquisition of Alleasing and Integrated Asset Management, worth A$150m. The practice is also advising Lion Nathan on its potential takeover by Japanese beverage company Kirin, worth NZ$44bn. The 16-partner practice is led by Pip Greenwood. Graeme Quigley is singled out as a ‘go-to’ lawyer for his ‘experience’ and ‘diligence’.

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

Although Russell McVeagh’s dispute resolution team lost a partner in 2008, it has been involved in a number of high-profile cases. One of the biggest achievements for the practice was its successful defence, in September 2008, of Shell Petroleum in the first insider trading case to go to court in New Zealand. The practice is also acting for Bank of New Zealand in a $416m tax dispute. Clients praise the firm’s ‘professionalism, dedication, skill and expertise’.

Within Employment, Russell McVeagh is a second tier firm,

Clients praise Russell McVeagh’s employment practice for its ‘top notch’ level of service and ‘sound advice’. Richard McIlraith and Gillian Service are ‘impressive’. A major client for the practice has been Television New Zealand, whom it has advised on its restructuring. Another highlight was acting for Ports of Auckland on the employment implications of consolidating two terminals. The practice also acted for Sky City on the reorganisation of its workforce.

Within Intellectual property

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, Russell McVeagh is a first tier firm,

Clients praise Russell McVeagh’s projects team for delivering an ‘exceptional’ service. The practice has a good reputation and is often the first port of call for its clients for projects work, which suggests that the practice will continue to blossom despite Paul Majurey’s departure in 2009. A highlight in renewable energy projects for the practice in 2009 was acting for Watercare with regard to a project to restore quarried
land on Puketutu Island. The practice has also worked on projects to develop airports, including acting on behalf of Paraparaumu Airport concerning its proposed development worth NZ$750m. Christian Whata provides ‘sound, practical advice’.

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

Russell McVeagh’s restructuring team negotiated the restructuring of Hanover Finance on behalf of trustee Perpetual Trust involving NZ$750m of debt. The practice also advised Perpetual Trust regarding the trust deed to secure its role as a statutory trustee in the moratorium of OPI Pacific Finance. Another highlight for the practice was acting for BOS International in securing a moratorium package concerning its role as a creditor in Strategic Finance’s moratorium. John Powell and Geoff Busch are key members of the practice.

Within Tax, Russell McVeagh is a first tier firm,

Russell McVeagh’s tax practice ‘provides a very high level of service’ according to clients. The practice offers niche advice on Kauri bonds to clients including Queensland Treasury Corporation and Council of Europe Development Bank. However, the team also offers a full tax service, including advising clients such as ANZ National Bank and ASB Bank on residential mortgage-backed security programmes. The practice also advised Rabo Capital Securities on PIE funds of NZ$285m. Fred Ward and Richard Scouler are always ‘good’ according to
clients.