Dentons Kensington Swan > Auckland, New Zealand > Firm Profile

Dentons Kensington Swan > The Legal 500 Rankings

New Zealand > Real estate and construction

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

Dentons Kensington Swan’s full-service transport department has a strong record in handling major PPP projects, and is a regular advisor to major New Zealand transport agencies. Auckland office managing partner and real estate specialist Matthew Ockleston worked with other key names Paul Buetow, Christina Sheard, and Nicky McIndoe advising NZ Transport Agency on the Northern Corridor Improvements Project. McIndoe leads the national environment and planning team, and her work focuses on the Resource Management Act, heritage, conservation, public works, and local government legislation relevant to infrastructure.

New Zealand > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

‘Highly experienced, efficient and solution-oriented’ Dentons Kensington Swan leverages its international network to win instructions on large scale transactions, involving local and offshore components. In one such example, Chris Parke led senior associate Charles Thompson, in acting for the shareholders of Glidepath on the sale of all of their shares to French robotics and automated solutions leader B2A Technology SAS. Head of Asia business Heida Donegan and Korean speaker Wook Jin Lee‘s cross-border transactional expertise, has contributed to the growth of its Asian-based client portfolio. Parke heads the practice from Auckland, which also houses David Lewis who lends 30 years’ experience in high-end M&A transactions, company law and restructuring. He has developed a speciality in regulatory and commercial issues relating to medicines, medical devices and primary healthcare. Nick Scott is another key layer. Wellington-based David Shillson regularly advises on asset and share transactions. He is also instructed by government departments and local authorities in relation to significant commercial projects relating to infrastructure and services provided to communities.

New Zealand > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Dentons Kensington Swan‘s Wellington litigation team is headed by Hayden Wilson , and is nationally recognised for its public and administrative law litigation capabilities, acting for several core Government agencies. Media disputes, defamation cases and ADR are also key areas of instruction. Public law expert Linda Clark  is a key figure and David Campbell leads the Auckland team, which includes James McMillan , a specialist in contentious insolvency work. Senior associate Patrick Glennie, who is qualified in Scots law advises on commercial and trusts matters. The team focuses on infrastructure, corporate, and commercial disputes.

New Zealand > Intellectual property Tier 2

New Zealand > Investment funds Tier 2

Dentons Kensington Swan‘s team offers ‘pragmatic and specialist advice’ in managed funds, superannuation and the KiwiSaver scheme. It also advises offshore funds in relation to New Zealand investments. The team, co-led by ‘standout‘ Catriona Grover and David Ireland, who has a wealth of expertise across all facets of investment law, and is also a trusted advisor to public bodies, national and regional wealth managers, insurance providers and mortgage originators. Ireland is involved in reforms in financial markets regulation, including the recent Financial Markets Services Legislation Amendment Act reforms. Senior associate Tom McLaughlin assists the on all aspects of financial products and services.

New Zealand > Labour and employment Tier 2

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

New Zealand > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

New Zealand > TMT Tier 2

New Zealand > Banking and finance Tier 3

Dentons Kensington Swan combines ‘sound technical and legal knowledge’ with a ‘good understanding and knowledge of market practise and trends.’ The firm stands out for its specialist retirement village development financing and its knowledge of new product structuring and development, including transactional banking, trade finance, and receivables financing products. Continuing to benefit from the addition of Liz Lim in 2020, the firm is building on its global reputation and strengthening its visibility across the Asia-Pacific region with new instructions from leading Australian, Chinese and international banks. Lim’s experience in property finance, acquisition finance and asset based financing has attracted high-end mandates from key players in the New Zealand banking sector. Senior associate Pauline Ho is likewise recommended for corporate and structured lending. Both figures are based in Auckland.