Dentons Kensington Swan > Wellington, New Zealand > Firm Profile

Dentons Kensington Swan > The Legal 500 Rankings

New Zealand > Real estate and construction

Dentons Kensington Swan regularly advises central government bodies, local authorities, domestic contractors, and multinational corporates on major transportation, infrastructure and property development construction contracts, and counts high-value property portfolio acquisitions and disposals, as well as retail, office and industrial leasing matters, in its workload. In the firm’s Auckland office, head of real estate Matthew Ockleston has considerable experience acting for public sector clients in transport infrastructure projects, while Stuart Robertson spearheads the major projects and construction group and advises clients on a range projects, in addition to multi-party claims and construction disputes. In Wellington, Paul Holth and Ish Fraser are key contacts in the real estate team, along with Auckland-based Paula Ormandy and Michelle Hill, while Paul Buetow advises on transport, water and energy infrastructure projects from the firm’s Auckland office.

New Zealand > Transport (rail, road, air and sea) Tier 1

The multidisciplinary infrastructure practice at Dentons Kensington Swan has demonstrable experience in large-scale public-private partnerships (PPPs), counting New Zealand transport agencies, including Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency, as well as local public authorities among its key roster of clients. In the firm’s Auckland office, managing partner Matthew Ockleston, who is praised for his ‘deep public works knowledge’, jointly leads the team alongside construction partner Paul Buetow and Wellington-based Nicky McIndoe, who advises on infrastructure projects and issues relating to the Resources Management Act. In Auckland, other key contacts in the team include Stuart Robertson, who has considerable experience in the construction and infrastructure sectors, and specialist resource management partner Christina Sheard.

New Zealand > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

On account of the firm’s global network, Dentons Kensington Swan ‘has a wealth of international experience’ to advise on cross-border M&A transactions, as well as handling domestic acquisitions and joint ventures for both local and multinational clients. National practice head Chris Parke has demonstrable experience across the food and beverage, infrastructure, media and technology sectors, while Wellington-based David Shillson advises on the full spectrum of corporate transactions, in addition to debt and equity investment deals. Head of the firm’s Asia business team Heida Donegan is ‘a recognised expert in Asia Pacific and China-based investments into New Zealand’, and Wook Jin Lee is praised as a ‘first-class corporate and M&A lawyer’. Other key members of the team include Nick Scott, who advises insurers in relation to the placement of M&A warranty insurance, market veteran David Lewis, and energy expert Gerard Dale, who joined the team in May 2022. All named partners are based in the firm’s Auckland office, unless stated otherwise.

New Zealand > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Dentons Kensington Swan’s national dispute resolution practice offers ‘constructive advice’ and ‘gets to the heart of the issue’ in disputes pertaining to government and regulatory cases, as well as infrastructure and commercial litigation. In the firm’s Wellington office, practice co-leader Hayden Wilson is noted for his expertise in public and administrative law litigation, and has demonstrable experience acting for various government agencies in New Zealand. The Wellington-based practice, which includes public law specialist Linda Clark, has a strong track record in media and defamation cases, in addition to ADR, with key clients including The New Zealand Medical Council and Engineering New Zealand. The Auckland office, which is led by David Campbell, handles infrastructure, corporate and commercial disputes, and houses James McMillan, who is a key contact for insolvency disputes, and senior associate Patrick Glennie, who ‘work diligently through all issues, providing clear and concise advice’.

New Zealand > Intellectual property Tier 2

Counting domestic and multinational blue-chip companies, local government entities and overseas law firms among its key roster of clients, Dentons Kensington Swan is well-placed to advise on the full life cycle of IP assets, from strategic filing and prosecution to IP commercialisation and litigation. Noted for its capability in handling brand protection and enforcement matters, the team is jointly led by Wellington-based commercial IP partner Charlotte Henley, who is a patent attorney, and Jenni Rutter, who operates from the firm’s office in Auckland. Henley has considerable experience in the protection and enforcement of plant variety rights, while IP litigator Rutter represents clients in high-profile disputes and has notable expertise in anti-counterfeiting matters.

New Zealand > Investment funds Tier 2

Praised as ‘one of the top investment funds teams in the New Zealand market’, Dentons Kensington Swan enjoys long-standing relationships with a host of public entities, including the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and the Financial Markets Authority. The practice has demonstrable experience in superannuation and KiwiSaver scheme work, as well as managed funds, and frequently assists offshore funds in facilitating investments into New Zealand. Catriona Grover is recognised for her ‘expertise in specialist funds management’ and, according to one client, her ability to ‘think strategically and in an innovative way, while also delivering second to none service, has made her invaluable’. Grover jointly leads the practice alongside David Ireland, who offers ‘pragmatic advice’ in relation to reforms in financial markets regulation. Senior associate Tom McLaughlin is another key member of the Wellington-based team.

New Zealand > Labour and employment Tier 2

Dentons Kensington Swan notably acts for high-profile public sector employers, as well as leading corporates, and has demonstrable experience in employment litigation, ranging from union-initiated disputes to unjustified dismissal claims, in addition to restraint of trade, breach of confidentiality and team move issues. The team continues to maintain key relationships with regulators, such as WorkSafe New Zealand, and handles health and safety matters arising out of the infrastructure and construction sectors. Wellington-based Greg Cain leads the practice and specialises in health and safety, whilst also representing clients in cases ranging from dismissals and discrimination claims to enforcement of restraints of trade. In the firm’s Auckland office, Charlotte Parkhill advises on compliance matters relating to the Holidays Act, while James Warren has experience handling the full range of employment law mandates in the UK and New Zealand. Wellington-based senior associate Renee Butler is another key member of the practice.

New Zealand > Projects and resources management (including environment) Tier 2

Counting Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency, KiwiRail and Wellington Water Limited among its key roster of clients, Dentons Kensington Swan is no stranger to major infrastructure development projects in New Zealand, and is noted for its specialist expertise in the Public Works Act. In Wellington,  Nicky McIndoe – head of the national environment and planning team – focuses on matters pertaining to the Resources Management Act, as well as advising clients on planning authorisations for water reservoirs and wastewater treatment plants, and transport infrastructure. The Auckland office is home to co-head of the firm’s national major projects and construction practice, Paul Buetow, and PWA specialist Matthew Ockleston, who is a key adviser to NZ Transport Agency. Key contacts for resource management work include Auckland-based Christina Sheard and Wellington-based Ezekiel Hudspith.

New Zealand > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Dentons Kensington Swan’s restructuring and insolvency practice frequently collaborates with the firm’s construction and major projects department to assist with debt recovery and enforcement work, in addition to priority disputes and voidable transactions. The team also acts for creditors and insolvency practitioners with businesses in financial distress, as well as liquidations and restructurings. In the firm’s Auckland office, James McMillan leads the practice and has demonstrable experience in high-profile restructuring and insolvency cases, as demonstrated by his advice in the voluntary administration and subsequent liquidation of STA Travel Group. Other key members of the team include banking and financial services partner Liz Lim and David Shillson, who operate from the firm’s Auckland and Wellington offices respectively.

New Zealand > TMT Tier 2

Counting domestic and international banks, social media platforms, local government entities and multinational corporations among its key roster of clients, Dentons Kensington Swan has demonstrable experience in the procurement and deployment of technology, privacy issues, compliance matters and e-commerce regulation. In the firm’s Auckland office, Hayley Miller leads the practice and focuses on software development and the launch of SaaS offerings, as well as the commercialisation of new technologies. In Wellington, Campbell Featherstone, who was promoted to partner in January 2022, advises on privacy and date protection matters, in addition to procurement, and is noted for his experience in the health sector. Wellington-based Charlotte Henley, who specialises in protection and commercialisation of IP, is another key member of the team.

New Zealand > Banking and finance Tier 3

The ‘well-rounded’ and ‘solution-driven’ team at Dentons Kensington Swan acts for New Zealand-based financial institutions, funds and corporate trustees on a range of matters, including property financing, securitisations, as well as receivables and asset backed financing. On account of the firm’s global footprint, the team is well-placed to acts for both domestic and international clients. Liz Lim, who ‘goes above and beyond for her clients’, leads the Auckland-based practice and has demonstrable experience in property finance, asset-based financing and acquisition finance. Senior associate Pauline Ho advises on corporate and structured lending, funds and real estate finance matters.