Tompkins Wake > Rotorua, New Zealand > Firm Profile

Tompkins Wake > The Legal 500 Rankings

New Zealand > Dispute resolution Tier 3

Fielding a ‘strong’ dispute resolution team and praised for its ‘good depth of talent and the ability to handle almost any matter’, Tompkins Wake offers advice to clients in disputes relating to dairy industry regulation, insurance, property, aviation and agribusiness issues. ‘Stand out litigator’ James MacGillivray leads the team and is noted for his expertise in diverse sectors, from aviation and local governance, to the dairy industry. Kate Cornegé, described as an ‘excellent strategist’, specialises in general corporate and commercial dispute resolution.

New Zealand > Intellectual property Tier 3

Tompkins Wake houses a ‘great IP practice that delivers results’, noted for its ability to assist clients on a range of matters, including managing trade mark portfolios, litigation, IP due diligence, and design and copyright mandates. The practice is spearheaded by Shelley Slade-Gully, who specialises in trade mark law, with expertise in multi-jurisdictional portfolio management and cross-border IP strategies. Associate Joseph Bracewell, praised for his ‘great technical’ ability, specialises in trade marks, copyright, IP licensing and other commercial aspects of IP.

New Zealand > Labour and employment Tier 3

Tompkins Wake works across disputes, collective bargaining, personal grievances, restructuring, and misconduct mandates, in addition to health and safety, dismissal and disciplinary issues. The practice is led by Mark Hammond in Hamilton, and he is particularly astute in representing local government clients, though the wider team also holds expertise in industries such as retail, logistics, and manufacturing.

New Zealand > Projects and resources management (including environment) Tier 3

The team at Tompkins Wake handles a range of mandates from rural infrastructure and development projects through to major city transport and wastewater projects and large-scale transactions. Based in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions, the practice routinely acts for local authorities, corporate clients and agri-tech companies. The practice is steered by Theresa Le Bas who is noted for her expertise in resource management and local government matters. Hamilton-based Bridget Parham is recommended for her experience in advising on resource management, environmental and local government law.

New Zealand > Real estate and construction Tier 3

Tompkins Wake's practice provides a full range of property services throughout New Zealand. Scott Ratuki leads the commercial property department and has an excellent track record in handling large-scale commercial developments and subdivisions. Property and real estate lawyer Peter Duncan is well known for advising on local government property matters. Peter Fanning's workload includes infrastructure, agriculture, and commercial property mandates, and Rotorua-based Catriona Gordon's broad practice takes in commercial property developments and transactions. Kate Searancke and Campbell Stewart are noted for their commercial property and overseas investor expertise respectively. In April 2023 Gemma Bodle and Rotorua-based Jasmine Findlater made partner, bolstering the team with their expertise in commercial and residential property, covering leasing, transactions, and local government matters. Unless stated otherwise, all named individuals are based in the Hamilton office.

New Zealand > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

Tompkins Wake is ‘very experienced with cross-border transactions and is active and connected throughout the region‘. The team is regularly instructed on large and complex transactions, across every aspect of the company’s lifecycle. The practice is steered by Hamilton-based Mark Renner who handles the full spectrum of corporate mandates, ranging from joint ventures and commercial contracts to private debt and equity financing. Mark Lowndes, based in Auckland, is praised as a ‘visionary in relation to business issues and finding solutions.’