John McCay > MinterEllisonRuddWatts > Wellington, New Zealand > Lawyer Profile

MinterEllisonRuddWatts
125 THE TERRACE
WELLINGTON
New Zealand

Work Department

Corporate and Commercial

Position

Partner

Career

John is an experienced commercial and public sector lawyer. He has particular expertise and interest in the resources, technology, gaming, sports, film and entertainment, and arts and culture sectors.

John undertakes a broad range of legal work with an emphasis on corporate governance, commercial contracting and procurement, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, intellectual property, and screen production financing. He advises New Zealand Government agencies, local government, and private sector entities and is a trusted adviser to clients including Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Waka Kotahi and TAB New Zealand.

A leader in New Zealand’s internationally renowned film and media industry for a number of years, John advises technology and media clients, film financiers, and producers on large scale procurement and supply arrangements. He is a board member of the New Zealand Film Commission and New Zealand On Air and sits on both the New Zealand Screen Production Grant Panel (which considers applications for the NZSPG) and the Co-productions Committee (that considers all applications for official New Zealand co-production treaty status).

John is also an experienced public sector lawyer. He specialises in public law, corporate governance in the public sector, public sector contracting, probity, and the development and implementation of government incentive schemes designed to further New Zealand’s economic development.

Languages

English

Education

LLB (Hons), BCA, Victoria University of Wellington (1989)

Lawyer Rankings

New Zealand > Intellectual property

Drawing considerable praise from clients for its ability to marry its ‘tactical knowledge’ with a ‘proactive and pragmatic’ approach, the team at MinterEllisonRuddWatts acts for clients on the gamut of IP matters, from trade mark registration and portfolio management to IP litigation. Leading the practice is the ‘very knowledgeable’ Christopher Young, whose IP expertise ensures that the team is sought out by numerous well-established corporates. Richard Wells regularly advises clients on issues in the commercialisation of new technology and the licensing of IP, and John McCay is noted for his focus on the TMT sector.

New Zealand > TMT

(Leading individuals)

John McCayMinterEllisonRuddWatts

MinterEllisonRuddWatts is noted for its ability to marry a ‘meticulous attention-to-detail’ with a ‘deep industry knowledge’ across the full spectrum of TMT matters. The team boasts expertise in tech transformation projects, large-scale M&A transactions and emerging technologies. At the helm sits Auckland’s Tom Maasland, who is roundly praised for his ‘extensive knowledge, pragmatic approach, and genuine demeanour’; Maasland frequently advises on emerging tech, including cyber security, AI and blockchain-related matters. Ross Patterson routinely represents clients in New Zealand’s highest profile merger clearances, authorisations and Commerce Commission investigations. The Wellington office is home to John McCay and ‘standout performer’ Jane Parker, who is a key port of call for blue-chip clients on critical tech projects. Associate Kate Cruickshank specialises in commercial law with particular expertise in IT contracts, film financing, and consumer legal issues.