Dentons New Zealand > Auckland, New Zealand > Firm Profile

Dentons New Zealand > The Legal 500 Rankings

New Zealand > Real estate and construction

At Dentons New Zealand, Stuart Robertson heads up the construction team, and is noted for his expertise in advising on disputes in the space. Paul Buetow has substantial experience in handling infrastructure mandates concerning road, rail, water, and energy projects, and Brendan Cash represents clients in contentious work up to Supreme Court level. On the real estate side, practice head Michelle Hill represents multinational clients in commercial real estate matters from the Auckland office, and Matthew Ockleston is active in work involving acquisitions of land for public infrastructure projects. Katrina Van Houtte, Paul Holth and Ish Fraser are key names to note. Buddle Findlay departed the team to join Buddle Findlay in November 2023.

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

Dentons New Zealand’s transport practice draws from the firm’s wider projects, construction, environment, planning, banking, property and corporate practices. The team has an in-depth knowledge of sectors including road, rail, ferries, bridges, public transport and cycling and distinguishes itself through its ability to support at all stages of a project lifecycle, including PPPs. In Auckland, Matthew Ockleston leverages his knowledge of the Public Works Act 1981 to support on public land acquisitions, meanwhile Paul Buetow focuses on significant infrastructure projects; the duo co-leads the team alongside Christina Sheard, an expert in the Resource Management Act.

New Zealand > Corporate and M&A Tier 2

The ‘client-focused’ team at Dentons New Zealand leverages the firm’s expansive global network to advise on complex cross-border M&A transactions and is actively involved in a range of domestic acquisitions and joint ventures. Auckland-based practice head Chris Parke has notable expertise in the insurance, infrastructure, TMT, healthcare and food sectors. The ‘outstanding’ David Shillson is praised for his ‘breadth of experience and depth of expertise.’ Wook Jin Lee, who is ‘smart, commercial and savvy’, regularly acts for listed issuers, private businesses, and private equity fund managers on the full spectrum of corporate deals and capital markets transactions. The team is strengthened by the arrival of tax partner Bruce Bernachhi. Heida Donegan departed.

New Zealand > Data protection and cyber security Tier 2

Trading banks, tech companies and household name brands are among the clients who trust the ‘vastly experienced practitioners’ at Dentons New Zealand with mandates ranging from advising on the implications of New Zealand e-commerce regulations, to advising on compliance with privacy laws and regulatory frameworks such as BS11. Campbell Featherstone and Hayden Wilson oversee matters from the firm’s Wellington office. Featherstone frequently works at the nexus between health information and data privacy, whilst Wilson is a key contact for privacy breach responses. The third co-head Hayley Miller applies her trade in Auckland and is well-placed to advise clients on their use of big data.

New Zealand > Dispute resolution Tier 2

‘A sizeable team with good breadth and depth’, Dentons New Zealand's national dispute resolution practice is actively involved in disputes spanning a wide range of areas including, but not limited to, civil, commercial, and competition-related cases, as well as construction and infrastructure, corporate and intellectual property law litigation. In the firm’s Auckland office, practice co-head David Campbell, praised for his ‘exceptional advice and strategic guidance’, specialises in commercial and civil litigation, with a particular focus on competition law, pharmaceuticals product liability, and liability insurance. Wellington-based Hayden Wilson also leads the team and is recommended for his experience handling complex commercial and public law disputes; Wilson has appeared as counsel in the Court of Appeal, High Court, District Court and a range of tribunals. The ‘diligent’ senior Amberley James is also noted.

New Zealand > Intellectual property Tier 2

Lauded for its ‘excellent knowledge’ and ‘pragmatic’ approach, Dentons New Zealand leverages its extensive global network to advise clients on the full suite of IP matters, encompassing a broad mix of contentious and commercial matters. The practice is steered by the ‘technically excellent’ Jenni Rutter, who is an expert in the commercialisation of IP and brand development for established businesses and start-ups. Key contact Andrew Baker acts for clients across a range of sectors, with a particular focus on agribusiness and healthcare, while senior associate Nadia Ormiston is recommended for her experience in all aspects of trade marks and designs. Charlotte Henley  left the firm in August 2023.

New Zealand > Investment funds Tier 2

Dentons New Zealand houses a ‘very supportive and capable team’, noted for its expertise in managed funds, superannuation and assisting offshore funds in relation to New Zealand investments. Counting public entities, fund managers and banks among its key clients, the team is known for its work with clients in the fintech area, with a particular focus on digital financial advice. The practice is jointly steered by Wellington-based partners Catriona Grover and David Ireland. Grover specialises in investment funds, including KiwiSaver, managed funds and superannuation schemes, while Ireland, noted for his ‘excellent technical advice’, is regularly engaged by both large and boutique providers of investment funds and investment management services. Senior associate Mark Schroder has extensive experience in funds management and financial services law.

New Zealand > Labour and employment Tier 2

Dentons New Zealand is particularly proficient in representing private sector clients, though is likewise well-regarded by aviation, technology, retail, and creative industry clients. Dual qualified in both the UK and New Zealand, James Warren sits at helm the department and is active on whistleblowing, employee relations, compliance, and fraud matters, in addition to the employment aspects of corporate transactions and insolvency; he is based in Auckland where Charlotte Parkhill leverages in-depth knowledge of the Holidays and Human Rights Acts. In Wellington, Renee Butler is a 2022 partner who is already leading a high-end caseload.

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

The environment and planning team at Dentons New Zealand is the premier choice for major clients, such as Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency, KiwiRail, Wellington Water Limited and Airbnb. Lauded for its ‘very practical and pragmatic’ approach, the team regularly handles complex infrastructure development projects and is noted for its particular expertise in water infrastructure. The practice is jointly led by Wellington-based Nicky McIndoe and Auckland-based Christina Sheard. McIndore is sought after by clients for her focus on the Resource Management Act, heritage, conservation and public works, and local government legislation relevant to infrastructure. Sheard has expertise obtaining designations and alterations to designations for projects. Paul Buetow is a key port of call for government agencies, local authorities, large principals and contractors in the construction space.

New Zealand > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

The team at Dentons New Zealand is frequently instructed by banks, trade creditors, directors and insolvency practitioners. The practice works closely alongside the firm’s construction and major projects practice to assist with debt recovery and enforcement work and has particular expertise in this area. Auckland-based practice head James McMillan draws on 19 years of experience acting for banks, insolvency practitioners, directors and construction companies. David Shillson and Liz Lim have a corporate focus, specialising in banking and finance matters from the Wellington and Auckland offices, respectively.

New Zealand > TMT Tier 2

Praised for its ‘responsive and pragmatic’ approach, the team at Dentons New Zealand is noted for its wide-range of capabilities in the full spectrum of TMT matters, which includes advising on matters involving privacy issues, compliance, the procurement and deployment of tech, and e-commerce regulation. Leveraging the firm’s extensive global network, the practice regularly assists international clients on a host of complex tech-related transactions. In Auckland, the ‘excellent and really pragmatic’ Hayley Miller leads the practice. Miller is recommended for her expertise advising on the law relating to the development, use, procurement and deployment of tech, with a particular focus on the launch of SaaS offerings.

New Zealand > Banking and finance Tier 3

With a diverse roster of large corporates and financial institutions on its books, the ‘very strong’ team at Dentons New Zealand handles a range of matters, spanning property and construction financing to securitisation and asset-backed financing. The practice also has a notable track record advising on complex cross-border transactions. Leading the team is the ‘pragmatic, quick and efficient’ Liz Lim, who is regularly engaged by banks, borrowers, issuers, and corporate trustees on the full host of mandates. Pauline Ho is noted for her extensive experience in drafting and negotiating a variety of financial security agreements, both for debtors and secured parties.