Anthony Harper > Christchurch, New Zealand > Firm Profile

Anthony Harper > The Legal 500 Rankings

New Zealand > Dispute resolution Tier 2

With offices in Auckland and Christchurch, Anthony Harper acts for domestic and national clients in commercial, construction and insurance litigation, and has demonstrable experience in health and safety disputes, which continues an area of growth for the practice. In the firm’s Auckland office, Dan Hughes leads the team and specialises in construction and insolvency cases in New Zealand, while Christchurch-based Peter Woods focuses on property claims for earthquake damage in Canterbury and Marlborough, in addition to representing clients in contractual, construction, defamation and insurance-related disputes. Other key members of the team include the Auckland-based Lynne Van, a specialist in insolvency litigation.

New Zealand > Labour and employment Tier 2

Praised for its ‘depth of experience and outstanding interpersonal skills’, Anthony Harper is noted for its capability in health and safety matters, as well as employment law work, and has demonstrable experience across the agriculture, food and beverage, transport, retirement villages and tourism sectors. In the firm’s Auckland office, Grant Nicholson leads on high-profile workplace incident investigations in New Zealand and frequently assists clients in dealings with the police and regulators, including WorkSafe. Nicholson jointly leads the practice alongside Kathryn McKinney, whose ‘in-depth knowledge of employment law is exceptional’, advising on employment disputes, industrial relations issues and compliance matters. The Auckland office is also home to senior associate Olivia Walsh, while Anne Wilson joined the firm’s Christchurch team in November 2021 from Chapman Tripp.

New Zealand > Real estate and construction

Anthony Harper’s ‘timely, responsive and personable’ real estate team regularly advises on commercial development projects, capital markets transactions involving the acquisition and disposal of office blocks, shopping malls and retail centres, and leasing matters. In the firm’s Christchurch office, practice leader Tim Barclay ‘offers the rare combination of sound legal knowledge, good communication skills and an excellent commercial sense to boot’, when advising clients on a range of commercial property matters. The ‘efficient construction team’ is led by Auckland-based Ed Dunphy, who acts for leading domestic construction companies, principals and contractors, and experience commercial litigator Karen Kemp, who represents clients in construction risk management litigation. In Christchurch, Daniel French focuses on subdivisions, commercial leasing and unit titles, while Auckland-based Tim Bunker is praised as ‘an excellent lawyer who goes the extra distance’. Christchurch-based senior associate Jessica Hanning is another key contact.

New Zealand > Restructuring and insolvency Tier 2

Counting domestic banks and finance companies among its key roster of clients, the ‘go-to’ restructuring and insolvency team at Anthony Harper acts for receivers, liquidators, administrators and investigative accountants on matters pertaining to distressed businesses, security priority issues and the sale of assets. In the firm’s Christchurch office, Crispin Vinnell leads the practice and has a ‘wealth of knowledge’ in insolvency and corporate recovery matters, while Auckland-based Dan Hughes specialises in insolvency litigation. The Auckland office is also home to litigator Lynne Van, who advises liquidators, receivers and private clients on restructurings, breach of directors’ duties claims and voidable transactions, while Christchurch-based special counsel Chloe Jolliffe focuses on repossession of goods and real property, and personal and corporate insolvency.

New Zealand > Transport (rail, road, air and sea) Tier 2

With ‘great knowledge of the port industry’, Anthony Harper’s Christchurch-based transport and logistics practice advises its roster of clients, including freight forwarders and carriers, ports and exporters, on a broad range of matters, from aircraft charter agreements and shipping contracts to regulatory advice, cargo loss and damage claims. Praised for his ‘commercial nous and practical knowledge of the transport sector and legislation’, practice leader Chris Dann handles mandates relating to domestic and international carriage of goods, freight forwarding and logistics, vessel procurement, and supply and distribution arrangements, among others. Dann frequently collaborates with other teams across the firm on transport and logistics matters, involving health and safety, construction and finance issues, as well as litigation.

New Zealand > Banking and finance Tier 3

Counting ASB Bank Limited, Westpac New Zealand Limited and China Construction Bank among its key roster of clients, Anthony Harper provides a ‘comprehensive service with a very high level of expertise’ in property finance, including development and transactional matters, as well as corporate banking. The Christchurch office is home to practice leader Nigel Oliver – praised as ‘unflappable and a real problem solver’ – who focuses on the financing of commercial property, agribusiness, viticulture, fisheries and aquaculture. In Auckland, Grant Goldsmith has experience in property finance, sponsor-backed acquisition finance and syndicated corporate facilities. Other key members of the South Island team include ‘efficient and capable’ special counsel Pip Breitmeyer, personal insolvency expert Crispin Vinnell and senior associate Alice von Batenburg.

New Zealand > Corporate and M&A Tier 3

Anthony Harper provides ‘a comprehensive service with a high level of expertise’ in mid-market M&A transactions, corporate restructuring, due diligence and regulatory compliance matters. In the firm’s Christchurch office, Chris Dann leads the practice and David Gould has experience in acting for multinational clients in corporate acquisitions and sales, as well as commercial transactions. The Auckland office is home to managing partner and M&A expert Malcolm Hurley, Alex Campbell, who is noted for his expertise in the automotive sector, and Geoff Hosking, who frequently advises on inbound investments into New Zealand. The practice, which is noted for its retirement village expertise, also includes Auckland-based Matt Smith, and Sam Wilson and senior associate Jordan Wright, who operate from the Christchurch office.

New Zealand > Intellectual property Tier 3

With demonstrable experience across the food and beverage, manufacturing and retail sectors, Anthony Harper advises on IP-related transactions, trade mark protection and copyright issues, portfolio development and management, as well as anti-counterfeiting mandates. Counting a number of international brands among its key roster of clients, the team is well-placed to leverage the expertise of the firm’s corporate and litigation groups. From the Auckland office, IP litigator Mark Gavin leads the practice, and is noted for his capability in IP-related disputes and enforcement proceedings.

New Zealand > Investment funds Tier 3

Anthony Harper excels in property-related investment funds, extending to mortgage funds, acting for key market players including Silverfin Capital, Mainland Capital and First Mortgage Managers. The practice also has demonstrable experience in investment funds and other managed investment schemes, counting insurance companies, domestic banks, fund managers, licensed supervisors, property syndicators and other financial services businesses among its key roster of clients. Based in Auckland, ‘standout partner’ Nick Summerfield leads the team, where he covers investment funds, including KiwiSaver, capital markets and financial services regulations. Summerfield is also praised for his ‘depth of knowledge in the New Zealand regulatory space’.