Chapman Tripp has demonstrable experience in multi-jurisdictional commercial disputes, as well as construction, insurance and IP litigation, international arbitration, and regulatory proceedings. Key clients include multinational companies and New Zealand-based entities, such as Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust, where the team continues to represent the Auckland-based Māori hapū in a high-profile judicial review proceeding involving the interplay of customary rights and the statutory settlement processes for historical grievances against indigenous tribes. In the firm’s Auckland office, practice leader Justin Graham focuses on contentious media and IP matters, from defamation and privacy to patent, copyright and trade mark litigation, while Laura Fraser handles contentious private and public law mandates. The Auckland office also houses consultant John McKay, who specialises in high-value construction disputes, and ‘exceptional’ Michael Arthur, who is noted for his expertise in corporate restructuring and insolvency. In Wellington, Tim Smith advises on a broad range of contentious commercial matters, while Nicola Swan handles international arbitrations and has an active civil litigation practice.

Based in Auckland, boutique firm LeeSalmonLong is widely recognised for its ‘capability and intellectual grunt to take on complex litigation’, housing a ‘team of specialist litigators’ who have experience in both trials and appeals, including appearing before the Supreme Court. Praised for running ‘a very efficient practice with a relatively low-cost structure, combined with a deep commitment to pro bono work’, the team's diverse caseload includes contentious tort and public law matters, as well as media and defamation disputes and IP litigation. ‘Excellent strategist’ Michael Heard is noted for his expertise in insolvency and maritime disputes, while ‘energetic and extremely knowledgeable’ Tim Mullins handles commercial and regulatory litigation, as well as IP cases. Isaac Hikaka focuses on multi-jurisdictional trust disputes and Rachel Keane advises property investment companies on contentious rent reviews, while Daniel Nilsson is a ‘principal contact for defamation and privacy disputes’. David Bullock, who was promoted to partner in April 2022, focuses on commercial litigation.

Counting major corporates, financial institutions and public sector entities among its key clients, MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ caseload regularly includes large-scale commercial litigation, ranging from regulatory investigations and insolvency to banking and finance, agriculture, energy and insurance-related disputes. In Auckland, Jane Standage, who ‘provides clear, pragmatic and strategic advice’ to clients in relation to investigations by regulators (including the Financial Markets Authority, Commerce Commission and Reserve Bank) jointly leads the practice alongside Wellington-based Richard Gordon, who has experience in banking and insolvency litigation. Also in Wellington, Stacey Shortall is noted for her expertise in handling the interplay between regulatory investigations, criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits, while Auckland-based Andrew Horne and Nick Frith specialise in insurance disputes. Other key members of the team include Sean Gollin, who operates from the firm’s Auckland office and has a broad civil and commercial litigation practice, and Wellington-based Briony Davies, who handles public law disputes. Oliver Skilton left the firm in April 2022 to join Mills Lane Chambers.

Praised for its ‘strong technical ability and responsiveness’, Simpson Grierson has demonstrable experience across a wide variety of disputes, from public law, regulatory and competition proceedings to insurance, financial services and privacy-related cases, among others. Practice head Jania Baigent ‘achieves desired outcomes’ when advising on commercial litigation issues, namely contractual and tortious disputes, while Richard Lange acts for major corporates and local authorities, and has over 25 years of experience in civil litigation. Firm chair Anne Callinan handles contentious competition matters and investigations, while Wellington-based John Shackleton focuses on contractual cases and tortious claims. In the firm’s Christchurch office, insurance expert Helen Smith is another key name to note, along with Nina Blomfield, who advises on contentious financial market and company law matters, class actions and contractual disputes. All named partners are based in Auckland, unless stated otherwise.

Spread across the Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington offices, Buddle Findlay’s ‘dedicated’ team has a ‘strong capability’ in financial services and insolvency litigation, and counts class actions, as well as property, construction and climate change-related disputes, in its caseload. Scott Barker leads the national practice from the firm’s office in Wellington and focuses on commercial disputes, including insolvency, banking and property litigation, while Christchurch-based Willie Palmer has ‘considerable experience’ in commercial litigation, notably construction, insolvency and insurance-related cases, as well as arbitration and mediation. Other key members of the team include David Broadmore, who handles a wide range of contractual disputes and operates from the firm’s office in Auckland. Seb Bisley retired from partnership in June 2022 and joined Thorndon Chambers as a barrister, while Christchurch-based Olly Peers was promoted to partner in January 2022.

Boutique litigation firm Gilbert Walker counts major corporates, financial institutions and insurers among its client base, with a strong track record in commercial litigation and regulatory matters, in addition to public law cases. Based in Auckland, Matthew Harris, Iva Rosic and Martin Smith collectively lead the ‘agile and collaborative’ team. Praised as ‘highly intelligent and a strong advocate’, Harris’ practice includes commercial litigation, construction and property, insurance and professional liability disputes, while ‘leading light’ Rosic focuses on large-scale commercial disputes, regulatory investigations and insurance litigation. The ‘outstanding’ Smith is praised for being ‘ruthlessly efficient’ when advising on the full range of civil disputes. Senior associates Hamish McQueen and Zoe Brentnall are further key names to note.

Working with a number of clients active across the insurance, financial services, telecoms and construction sectors, Auckland-based specialist firm Wilson Harle is noted for its capabilities in commercial, regulatory and public law litigation, handling trusts, defamation and media disputes. Chris Browne is widely recognised for his broad commercial litigation and public law practice, appearing at all levels of court, while Allison Ferguson handles commercial disputes arising from directors’ obligations, telecoms and regulatory matters. Other figures to note include Ian Denton, a key contact for contractual, tort and competition-related disputes; Felicity Monteiro, who specialises in shipping cases; and Guy Tompkins, who handles insurance disputes and regulatory investigations. All named partners collectively lead the practice.

With offices in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Queenstown, Duncan Cotterill is well-placed to advise both domestic and international clients, and is noted for its strong track record in insurance-related disputes. The practice also continues to consolidate its capability in handling litigious regulatory matters, including health and safety issues, as well as trusts disputes and insolvency litigation. In Wellington, Jonathan Scragg represents clients in commercial, insurance and public law-related disputes, while jointly leading the team alongside Christchurch-based Ayleath Foote, who has acted on many high value claims for insurers and trustees. Other key members of the practice include Rob Coltman and Brian Nathan, who operates from the firm’s offices in Auckland and Nelson respectively.

Founded by experienced trial lawyer Timothy Lindsay and Kim Francis, Auckland-based boutique litigation firm Lindsay & Francis has demonstrable capability in corporate and securities litigation, regulatory disputes and international arbitration. Lindsay has experience across a broad range of disputes, including corporate and shareholder litigation, M&A and post-acquisition disputes, foreign investment cases and regulatory defences, among others. ‘Trustworthy and unflappable’ Francis is noted for his expertise in insolvency-related claims and cases against directors and auditors. Senior associate Thomas Westaway is also noted.

Tompkins Wake’s ‘straightforward, hard-working and efficient’ litigation team primarily operates from the firm’s Hamilton office, acting for national clients in disputes relating to dairy industry regulation, insurance, property, aviation and agribusiness issues, among others. The practice also advises local government entities, including Hamilton City Council and South Waikato District Council, on a broad range of contentious issues, from commercial and property disputes to judicial reviews and electoral matters. Praised for his ‘sharp mind and excellent strategic thinking’, the team is headed up by James MacGillivray. Kate Cornegé, experienced in dairy, energy and telecoms-related disputes, is a further key member of the team. The Auckland-based Chen Jiang joined the practice from Glaister Ennor in October 2021.