Simpson Grierson‘s banking and finance team has considerable breadth and depth of expertise in New Zealand’s financing deals. The team is best known for its work in leveraged and acquisition finance, debt capital markets, and work related to M&A private equity transactions. Further, the group demonstrates experience in real estate finance, institutional finance, and project and infrastructure finance matters. Josh Cairns spearheads the practice, with a focus on infrastructure financing. Further, Andrew Harkness regularly advises both lenders and borrowers on complex real estate financing matters, while Dominic Toomey is noted for his knowledge of acquisition financing and the implementation of sustainable financing products.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Extremely capable team with the ability to multi-resource large transactions often under tight time frames. Excellent oversight by the partner involved. Practical commercial advice is given, and the team takes a solutions approach as opposed to simply pointing out a problem.'
- 'Extremely proactive and great communication.'
- 'Deep understanding of the bank's requirements and very easy to work with, great at picking up the phone and having a conversation.'
- 'Stuart Evans and his team are standout performers and our preferred solicitors, particularly for larger, more complex transactions. Stu always takes a solution-type approach and will often suggest options/alternatives to resolve risks. '
- 'Technically very strong (as you would expect), however also commercially very savvy, very tenacious and laser focused on the clients' interests'
- 'Dom Toomey was simply superb to deal with.'
Key clients
- ASB Bank
- ANZ Bank
- Arena Global Investors
- Bank of China Ltd
- Bank of New Zealand
- Bank of Queensland
- China Construction Bank (New Zealand) Limited
- Commercial Bank of China
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia
- Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A.
- Dunedin City Treasury Limited
- Heartland Bank Limited
- Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC)
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (New Zealand) Limited (ICBC)
- Infrastructure Holdings Limited
- ING Bank N.V
- Kiwibank
- Mount Capital
- MUFG Bank, Ltd
- National Australia Bank Ltd
Work highlights
Advised Watercare Services Limited on its financial separation from Auckland Council, which included setting up a groundbreaking security structure to support a multi-creditor debt platform and the establishment of its NZ$7billion independent debt capital raise programme.
Advised the sponsor on one of only two known unitranche deals supported by private credit in the New Zealand market in this period.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Josh Cairns
Other key lawyers
Andrew Harkness; Dominic Toomey; Stuart Evans