Tompkins Wake > Hamilton, New Zealand > Firm Profile
Tompkins Wake Offices
WESTPAC HOUSE, LEVEL 8
430 VICTORIA STREET, PO BOX 258
HAMILTON
New Zealand
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Tompkins Wake > The Legal 500 Rankings
New Zealand > Dispute resolution Tier 3
Fielding a ‘strong’ dispute resolution team and praised for its ‘good depth of talent and the ability to handle almost any matter’, Tompkins Wake offers advice to clients in disputes relating to dairy industry regulation, insurance, property, aviation and agribusiness issues. ‘Stand out litigator’ James MacGillivray leads the team and is noted for his expertise in diverse sectors, from aviation and local governance, to the dairy industry. Kate Cornegé, described as an ‘excellent strategist’, specialises in general corporate and commercial dispute resolution.Practice head(s):
James MacGillivray
Other key lawyers:
Kate Cornegé; Chen Jiang; Fraser Wood; Zandra Wackenier; Stephanie Ambler
Testimonials
‘Tompkins Wake’s litigation team are solutions-focused, strategic and able to deliver client service that offers value without waste.’
‘Kate Cornegé is an excellent strategist and able to move seamlessly between her roles as advocate and strategic adviser.’
‘This is a strong team; it has good depth of talent and the ability to handle almost any matter.’
‘James McGillivray is a standout litigator. Calm, perceptive and patient.’
‘Chen Jiang is a hard working rising talent with an excellent knowledge of the law.’
‘Experienced lawyers, great interpersonal skills, organised and responsive.’
‘Clear communication, attention to detail and teamwork are key strengths.’
‘I really enjoyed working with this team and was impressed at how quickly they grasped detailed operational matters specific to our industry, as well as the quality of their legal advice and advocacy.’
Key clients
IBC Japan Limited
Hamilton City Council
South Waikato District Council
University of Waikato
New Zealand College of Midwives
Work highlights
- Advising IBC Japan Limited in nine separate High Court proceedings in relation to an application for leave to bring a derivative action, an interim injunction, an interpleader dispute over a $10m fund, a protest to jurisdiction, and a caveat action.
- Acting for Hamilton City Council in the Environment Court and Land Valuation Tribunal in relation to Public Works Act acquisitions in relation to a major subdivision and development to create 8,000 new homes.
- Assisting a team of barristers with a class action by NZ College of Midwives and over 1,300 midwives against the New Zealand Ministry of Health.
New Zealand > Intellectual property Tier 3
Tompkins Wake houses a ‘great IP practice that delivers results’, noted for its ability to assist clients on a range of matters, including managing trade mark portfolios, litigation, IP due diligence, and design and copyright mandates. The practice is spearheaded by Shelley Slade-Gully, who specialises in trade mark law, with expertise in multi-jurisdictional portfolio management and cross-border IP strategies. Associate Joseph Bracewell, praised for his ‘great technical’ ability, specialises in trade marks, copyright, IP licensing and other commercial aspects of IP.Practice head(s):
Shelley Slade-Gully
Other key lawyers:
Mark Lowndes; Robert Bycroft; Kate Cornegé; Joseph Bracewell
Testimonials
‘Great IP practice that delivers results.’
‘Joseph Bracewell and Shelly Slade-Gully are great technical and personable IP lawyers. Highly recommended.’
Key clients
Barfoot & Thompson
Eagle Technology
New Zealand Plumbing World Group
Work highlights
- Negotiated terms of arrangements for Barfoot and Thompson for the provision of innovative technology and provided IP advice around branding and licencing.
- Advised on the IP aspects of the sale and development of technology for Eagle Technology.
- Advised New Zealand Plumbing World Group on the management of its trade mark portfolio, including IP strategy advice, trade mark filing and IP disputes.
New Zealand > Labour and employment Tier 3
Tompkins Wake works across disputes, collective bargaining, personal grievances, restructuring, and misconduct mandates, in addition to health and safety, dismissal and disciplinary issues. The practice is led by Mark Hammond in Hamilton, and he is particularly astute in representing local government clients, though the wider team also holds expertise in industries such as retail, logistics, and manufacturing.Practice head(s):
Mark Hammond
Other key lawyers:
Fraser Wood; Daniel Erickson
Testimonials
‘The Tompkins Wake employment team has supported us across a wide range of employment issues, from policy updates through to personal grievance claims.’
‘Diversity of competencies and skills.’
‘Knowledge and practical advice, they look to provide a level of ethical fairness to each party.’
‘A highly trusted and experienced team.’
‘Depth of knowledge and experience provides credibility and confidence.’
Key clients
Cotton On Group
Flight Centre Travel Group
Waste Management NZ Limited
Pact Group
Work highlights
- Represented a transport contractor in a health and safety prosecution initiated by Maritime NZ following an incident on the Cook Strait ferry.
- Early Settler Retail Group is a large New Zealand furniture retailer.
New Zealand > Projects and resources management (including environment) Tier 3
The team at Tompkins Wake handles a range of mandates from rural infrastructure and development projects through to major city transport and wastewater projects and large-scale transactions. Based in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions, the practice routinely acts for local authorities, corporate clients and agri-tech companies. The practice is steered by Theresa Le Bas who is noted for her expertise in resource management and local government matters. Hamilton-based Bridget Parham is recommended for her experience in advising on resource management, environmental and local government law.Practice head(s):
Theresa Le Bas
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Hamilton City Council
Otorohanga District Council
Waikato District Council
South Waikato District Council
Waipa District Council
Waitomo District Council
Matamata-Piako District Council
Waikato Regional Council
Rotorua Lakes District Council
Bay of Plenty Regional Council
Kaipara District Council
Tauranga City Council
Far North District Council
Co-Lab (Waikato Local Authority Shared Services)
Work highlights
New Zealand > Real estate and construction Tier 3
Tompkins Wake's practice provides a full range of property services throughout New Zealand. Scott Ratuki leads the commercial property department and has an excellent track record in handling large-scale commercial developments and subdivisions. Property and real estate lawyer Peter Duncan is well known for advising on local government property matters. Peter Fanning's workload includes infrastructure, agriculture, and commercial property mandates, and Rotorua-based Catriona Gordon's broad practice takes in commercial property developments and transactions. Kate Searancke and Campbell Stewart are noted for their commercial property and overseas investor expertise respectively. In April 2023 Gemma Bodle and Rotorua-based Jasmine Findlater made partner, bolstering the team with their expertise in commercial and residential property, covering leasing, transactions, and local government matters. Unless stated otherwise, all named individuals are based in the Hamilton office.Practice head(s):
Scott Ratuki; Peter Duncan
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Stark Property Group
AFI Investments
Fosters Construction
Rotorua Lakes Council
Hamilton City Council
Waipa District Council
WEL Energy Networks Limited
Waitomo District Council
New Zealand > Corporate and M&A Tier 4
Tompkins Wake is ‘very experienced with cross-border transactions and is active and connected throughout the region‘. The team is regularly instructed on large and complex transactions, across every aspect of the company’s lifecycle. The practice is steered by Hamilton-based Mark Renner who handles the full spectrum of corporate mandates, ranging from joint ventures and commercial contracts to private debt and equity financing. Mark Lowndes, based in Auckland, is praised as a ‘visionary in relation to business issues and finding solutions.’Practice head(s):
Mark Renner
Other key lawyers:
Mark Lowndes; Phil Taylor; Tom Arieli; Kerri Dewe; Bryce Davey
Testimonials
‘The entire team (both lawyers and support staff) are personable, commercial, responsive and practical. They are willing to collaborate and become part of the client’s (and the referring lawyer’s) team. They are technically astute, but also adapt their approach (including communication style) to meet the client’s needs.’
‘Mark Lowndes and Kerri Dewe are both super-responsive and personable. They are always a safe pair of hands and look after our client files in a superb manner. I recommend them unreservedly.’
‘Very strong M&A practice – great coverage in skillset, experience, and industry knowledge. Have very good (probably the best I know of) geographic coverage as well.’
‘They are very practical and pragmatic – essential in M&A work. Also have depth and skillset for more technical corporate work. The firm and people in it are very experienced with cross border transactions and are active and connected throughout the region.’
‘Mark Lowndes – been my go-to in NZ for many years, ably supported by Kerri Dewe, who is now a Partner and very hands-on. Mark is a visionary in relation to business issues and finding solutions – a lateral thinker and problem solver.’
‘Kerri Dewe is very focussed, and technical, but still commercial and pragmatic.’
‘Exceptional commercial advice when negotiating with clients and bankers. Always available to meet.’
Key clients
Cash Converters International Limited
Property Suite Limited
Hillfarrance Venture Capital
Company-X Ltd
Better Eggs Limited
Open Country Dairy Limited
WEL Networks
The Lines Company
Waipa Networks
Barfoot & Thompson Limited
SKYCITY Entertainment Group
Work highlights
- Advised Hillfarrance Venture Capital on the $15m+ investment by Elevate NZ Venture Fund into the Hillfarrance Fund I.
- Advising Cash Converters International Limited (CCIL) on the acquisition of the remaining 75% shareholding in Cash Converters NZ.
- Advised Property Suite on the sale of its business to US company, MRI Software, an international provider of real estate and investment management software.
Tompkins Wake > Firm Profile
The firm: Tompkins Wake is a nationally recognised law firm with offices in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and Tauranga. With a strong identity and history that dates back to 1922, the firm has grown and is now one of the 15 largest law firms in New Zealand cementing its position in New Zealand’s economic and commercial heartland, the “golden triangle” between Auckland, Hamilton and the Bay of Plenty (Tauranga and Rotorua).
Awarded New Zealand Law Firm of the Year (<100 lawyers) at the 2019, 2020 and 2021 NZ Law Awards, the firm’s philosophy and approach centres on collaboration, and the belief that when specialisation and expertise combine in a collaborative environment, exceptional outcomes are created for its clients.
The firm has built a strong reputation with corporates, multi-nationals operating in New Zealand, local government authorities and private clients and includes 13 local authorities and four of New Zealand’s top ten exporters in its client portfolio.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Chief Executive Officer | Jon Calder | jon.calder@tompkinswake.co.nz | +64 7 838 6027 |
Chair | Commercial Property | Scott Ratuki | ||
Property and Real Estate | Peter Fanning | ||
Banking and Finance | Mark Renner | ||
Employment/Health & Safety | Mark Hammond | ||
Life Sciences | Robert Bycroft | ||
Forestry | Campbell Stewart | ||
Relationship Property/Trust Disputes | Stephanie Ambler | ||
Maori Business | Kate Searancke | ||
Trust Disputes | Kate Sullivan | ||
Private Clients & Trusts | Peter Fanning | ||
Private Clients & Trusts | Peter Duncan | ||
Mergers and Acquisitions | Tom Arieli | ||
Energy | Phil Taylor | ||
Commercial Property | Scott Ratuki | ||
Commercial Property | Kate Searancke | ||
Local Government | Bridget Parham | ||
Environmental and Resource Management | Theresa Le Bas | ||
Corporate and Commercial | Phil Taylor | ||
Corporate and Commercial | Mark Renner | ||
Property and Real Estate | Peter Duncan | ||
Intellectual Property | Shelley Slade-Gully |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Stephanie Ambler | Partner | View Profile | |
Kate Cornege | Partner | View Profile | |
Peter Duncan | Partner | View Profile | |
Peter Fanning | Partner | View Profile | |
Mark Hammond | Partner | View Profile | |
James MacGillivray | Partner | View Profile | |
Philip Monahan | Partner | View Profile | |
Bridget Parham | Partner | View Profile | |
Scott Ratuki | Partner | View Profile | |
Mark Renner | Partner | View Profile | |
Kate Searancke | Partner | View Profile | |
Shelley Slade-Gully | Partner Trade Mark and Brand Strategy, Education Law, Copyright Advice and Protection… | View Profile | |
Campbell Stewart | Partner | View Profile | |
Kate Sullivan | Partner | View Profile | |
Phil Taylor | Partner | View Profile |