‘Jane Holland takes the time to engage well with the issues that the business is facing, practical in how she delegates the work throughout her team of very capable lawyers who each deliver great work, on time and on point.’

‘Bell Gully has supported the development and subsequent award of a major civil works contract. They provided current market thinking and risk apportionment considerations to the process and the outcome was to the highest standards.’

‘Ian Becke in particular is very down to earth and always provides advice that is easily understood and has real context to the project or subject matter that is being discussed.’

‘They are very specialised in this sector and have lots of experience. Based on their knowledge and experiences they give practical advice. Also they are consist of several particular groups which means that their advice is reliable in any circumstances. Partner Karl Anderson is our main contact.’

‘We have been working them for seven years. I think they are very professional and reliable lawyers. I have several good memories in which we had overcome situations. Apart from their skill and knowledge, they are good people. They understand what we need and what is our ultimate goal. I am pretty sure that I can introduce them to my friends as best lawyers in NZ.’

‘One of the best, leading legal firms in NZ. Their strongest points compared to other firms are deep legal expertise, covering all areas of the commercial, transactional and real estate fields. The partners are very strong individually.’

‘Ian Becke is a leading real estate partner with international experience and strong local real estate knowledge who is very commercial and highly client-focused.’

‘This team – particularly  partner Toni Forrest – is particularly solutions-focused. The team is able to not only identify the issues and possible solutions to a problem but to go further to help us find a pathway through that issue in a way that mitigates risk and achieves our organisation’s objectives. The team has been working with our in-house team for less than two years and in my experience it is really rare to have a team so quickly understand our complex organisation’s objectives, risks and drivers in the way that Bell Gully has done.’

‘Toni Forrest is the definition of a trusted advisor. She is exceptionally commercially savvy, solutions-focused and extremely approachable. In a complex organisation like ours, we need advisors who can understand not only the legal and commercial risk the organisation faces, but also reputational and commercial risk. Toni does this effortlessly.’

‘The firm has very good property industrt knowledge that is provided to the client in a very practical and supportive manner.’

‘Its strength is in the relationship between the parties and the ability to “cut to the chase’ and deliver solutions and support without unnecessary rigmarole.’

‘The firm has an industry-leading team that is extremely knowledgeable, hardworking and friendly.’

‘Janine Stewart is a rising star – hardworking, extremely knowledgeable and laser-focused on best outcomes for the client. She demands a lot from her team.’

‘One of the strongest multi-disciplined real estate practices in New Zealand – from property to planning to construction, both front and back end – with great lawyers in each area.’

‘Mark Crosbie and Andrew Monteith are standout leaders in the field.’

‘The team is hardworking, commercial, smart and focused.’

‘The firm provides excellent knowledge and service, particularly from Ed Crook.’

‘I have worked with Russell McVeagh’s construction litigation team, which is excellent. The team is hardworking, well-resourced and experienced.’

‘Partner Polly Pope and senior associate Michael Taylor are both excellent.’

‘The team at Russell McVeagh offers a strength in depth that I rely upon for my projects. They turn around work in good time and I have complete faith in their standard of advice and reporting.’

‘The firm always delivers great results and is very responsive.’

‘Tim Bunker is very responsive and diligent.’

‘The team has an in-depth knowledge of our business structure and company’s history which makes them an extension of our in-house legal team and enables it to provide bespoke, quality advice to fit our needs.’

‘It is technically excellent and has a great understanding of our company which makes it very valuable.’

‘I have full accessibility to the partner who is extremely responsive – often I require extremely tight turnarounds – and transparent. I not only require legal advice but also a commercial approach and this is the service I receive.’

‘Lawyers need to provide not only legal advice but in a commercial manner and without fail, I always receive this service from Davida Dunphy.’

‘DLA Piper was my first choice of firm to work with our establishment. I was absolutely thrilled when they said they would become a pro bono partner for our organisation. Over the last year they have assisted in many fields, including the formation of the organisation and filing appropriate documentation with the Charities Office. We are heavily reliant on funding from industry, so the creation of contracts with funding partners has enabled us to have the assurance that funds are sustainable, and also funders have transparency as to where their monies are allocated.’

‘What has impressed me most about working with DLA Piper has been their total buy-in to the cause that we are advocating for. All the firm’s partners I have worked with, inclduing Davida Dunphy and Mark Williamson, have supported and promoted the work we do. We have also explored ways in which to integrate our programme into the operations of DLA Piper, which is something I am looking forward to doing.’

‘Over the time I have worked in New Zealand’s construction industry I would have to say that DLA Piper has been the most generous law firm I have worked with, nothing is too hard and when I have felt like I had a lot of questions, especially with a start-up, they have reassured me that they are here to support. Having worked in the not-for-profit sector for over 20 years, I have been fortunate to have been supported by many pro bono partners including other law firms, however I would definitely say that DLA Piper has a noteworthy manner of being both approachable and friendly. They also do very well to translate legal terms into layman’s language so we understand processes.’

‘The firm has sound knowledge and abilities.’

‘Justin March has intimate knowledge of leases, especially during Covid times. Heath Brunton is great at working with Development Agreements.’

‘The team is very agile and can respond to queries at a moment’s notice. They are always on hand to give clear, concise and informed advice no matter how trivial. They are experts in their field.’

‘Heath Brunton and Justin March are very approachable. They are extremely knowledgeable in their fields and always on hand to take a call and help out where they can. They go above and beyond call of duty to provide expert advice across all of our property matters.’

‘The team has real life experience of working in the sector, so has impressive depth of sector knowledge. Partners Helen McFarlane and Nick Gillies, and senior associate Glen Holm-Hansen stand out.’

‘They provide pragmatic and commercially astute legal advice and show a willingness to engage and consider alternative solutions.’

‘The team is knowledgeable, professional and attentive. Attention to detail was good on a recent complicated matter where they provided a very good service to us.’

‘Nick Gillies is highly regarded nationally for his skill and experience in complex commercial construction disputes. I found him very astute in his dealings with the matter. He forged a path to a negotiated settlement in difficult circumstances whilst balancing the varied expectations of our team. Glen Holm-Hansen was also excellent. Both were prompt in responding to our queries and requests for guidance.’

‘Hesketh Henry has a strong specialist construction team which is very client focussed and has excellent industry knowledge.’

‘Nick Gillies is a strong commercial construction lawyer with significant expertise with disputes. He is an excellent communicator, he is client-focussed and he takes a constructive and collaborative approach. Christina Bryant is a very experienced advocate with deep industry knowledge and a strong client focus.’