The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Simpson Grierson is a first tier firm,

Simpson Grierson’s banking and finance practice was involved in shaping and securing a handful of innovative financial transactions in 2008 and 2009. The practice obtained the first listed bond issuance by a local authority in New Zealand in March 2009 for Auckland City Council, a NZ$150m retail bond. Andrew Harkness leads the five-partner practice from the Auckland office.

Within Corporate and M&A, Simpson Grierson is a second tier firm,

Simpson Grierson’s 14-partner team, led by Kevin Jaffe, is split between Auckland and Wellington. Simon Vannini was promoted to partner in September 2008. The practice acted for Toll Group on the sale of the New Zealand national rail system back to the Crown.

Within Dispute resolution, Simpson Grierson is a third tier firm,

Simpson Grierson acted for Westpac in high court proceedings with respect to over NZ$800m worth of tax. The practice also acted for Rolls Royce in a NZ$150m damages claim regarding the Kinleith Co-Generation Plant.

Within Employment, Simpson Grierson is a second tier firm,

Phillipa Muir’s employment practice at Simpson Grierson is one to watch according to clients. In February 2009, the practice successfully defended Telecom New Zealand against a NZ$50,000 claim of unfair dismissal brought by a former employee. The practice was also successful in acting for Toll NZ Consolidated, Auckland City Council and the University of Auckland in
2008.

Within Intellectual property, Simpson Grierson is a second tier firm,

Simpson Grierson advised Mars on its $23bn acquisition of Wrigley’s, and also represented The Church of the Latter-day Saints in 2008 in its appeal to oppose a trade mark application by Robert Sintes. The practice is also advising Sony Music BMG in defence of claims brought by Ogilvy.

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, Simpson Grierson is a second tier firm,

Simpson Grierson’s projects practice recently acted for Transpower New Zealand regarding the NZ$800m North Island Grid upgrade project. The practice is also acting for Auckland City Council concerning a multimillion-dollar redevelopment of waterfront land. The team has advised on several other development and redevelopment projects including advising Austral Pacific on the Cheal oil and gas field
project.

Within Restructuring and insolvency, Simpson Grierson is a second tier firm,

Simpson Grierson’s restructuring practice advised McGrath Nicol & Partners on the liquidation of HIH Holdings. A highlight of 2009 was acting for PricewaterhouseCoopers regarding its receivership of Lombard Finance and Investments involving NZ$130m of debt tied up in property developments. The team also tackled a complex restructuring of loan and securities for ASB Bank.

Within Tax, Simpson Grierson is a second tier firm,

Stuart Hutchinson leads Simpson Grierson’s taxation team from the Auckland office. The practice acted for Westpac in High Court proceedings concerning the Commissioner’s assessment of cross-border structured finance transactions amounting to NZ$900m. The practice also advised Mars concerning the tax aspects of the partial acquisition of Wrigley’s for $23bn.