COVER FEATURE / HOT LIST 2014 NZLAWYERMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

HOT LIST BREAKDOWN 2014 HOT LIST FIRMS WITH MOST HOT LIST RUSSELL MCVEAGH – 7 – 3 ANDREW BUTLER RUSSELL MCVEAGH – 6 MINTER ELLISON RUDD WATTS – 3 ANDREW HARMOS HARMOS HORTON LUSK – 4 WYNN WILLIAMS – 2 BRYNN GILBERTSON BELL GULLY BARRY BROWN CHAPMAN TRIPP GENDER SPLIT WHERE THEY CATHY QUINN MINTER ELLISON RUDD WATTS PRACTICE 27 Male lawyers 1 DAVE WETHERELL MAYNE WETHERELL 27 30 6 GAVIN MACDONALD BELL GULLY 3 GEOF SHIRTCLIFFE CHAPMAN TRIPP Tauranga 1 GRAEME QUIGLEY RUSSELL MCVEAGH Dunedin 1 6 GRANT DUNN BUDDLE FINDLAY 3 GRANT KEMBLE RUSSELL MCVEAGH Female lawyers HAYDEN WILSON KENSINGTON SWAN 1 8 JARED ORMSBY WYNN WILLIAMS JASON ROGERS JAMES & WELLS HOT LISTWho’s on the big deals? MOST COMMON AREAS OF SPECIALISATION (self-identified) JEFFREY LAI ANDERSON CREAGH LAI Who’s the talk of the town? M&A JEN CRAWFORD ANDERSON LLOYD Joint ventures JEREMY JOHNSON WYNN WILLIAMS NZ presents an inside Securities law JOE WINDMEYER RUSSELL MCVEAGH look at the hottest private Corporate structuring JOHN STROWGER CHAPMAN TRIPP Administrative law KATHERINE BECK SWARBRICK BECK MACKINNON practice lawyers in the Litigation & dispute resolution KEVIN JAFFE SIMPSON GRIERSON market Private equity MAI CHEN CHEN PALMER Public offerings 2014 Employment law MARK FREEMAN BELL GULLY Property MARK STUART MINTER ELLISON RUDD WATTS Intellectual property MARTIN WISEMAN DLA PHILLIPS FOX Legal practice is a game of mixed fortunes. In the many lawyers who are worthy of accolades but for 20 10 0 deal environment, every year produces a series of one reason or another have never received one. NUMBER OF LAWYERS MICHAEL POLLARD SIMPSON GRIERSON winners and losers as certain lawyers and firms So, in compiling this list of New Zealand’s NEIL MILLAR MINTER ELLISON RUDD WATTS secure the most envied roles on the top deals. hottest lawyers, we do so with a level of caution CHAPMAN TRIPP IT’S COMMERCIAL, STUPID NICK WELLS What we seek to achieve in this feature is to and respect for those lawyers who are not on the PAT BOWLER RUSSELL MCVEAGH take the pulse of the industry and discover which list. No industry survey can ever be entirely A familiar quality ascribed to corporate lawyers is their ‘commerciality’, something generally understood to be a desirable lawyers are being talked about by their peers. We comprehensive in its listing of meritorious PIP GREENWOOD RUSSELL MCVEAGH trait. We were thus intrigued when a source for this feature will be taking a close look at the roles on the NZ lawyers, and we do not purport to be exhaustive RACHAEL BROWN BELL GULLY commented that a dealmaker was “commercial, and in a Government’s mixed-ownership model, which in our showcase of legal talent. positive way”. ROGER WALLIS CHAPMAN TRIPP has particularly dominated the deal landscape of The selection of lawyers for this feature was “It’s a compliment,” the source said. We then asked in what SARAH SIMMERS ANDERSON LLOYD late, and we will also identify lawyers who have based on submissions received from firms and, context being described as commercial would not be a compliment SIMON COLLETT HOLLAND BECKETT come a long way in establishing a ‘personal brand’ for the dealmaker sections, off-record interviews for a corporate lawyer. It turns out that, in some circles, describing a BUDDLE FINDLAY for themselves. We’ll also be taking a look at non- in which respondents were asked to nominate lawyer as “commercial” is a euphemism for “not keen on technical SIMON VODANOVICH transactional areas and noteworthy achievements lawyers they respected not only within their own detail” or “trampling over the finer points of a transaction”. STEPHEN LOWE CHAPMAN TRIPP in community and pro bono work. firms but also at rival organisations. With this in mind, we adjusted our interview methodology to TAMINA SIMPSON GRIERSON LFirst, a cautionary note. Being included in a The opportunity to make submissions for this eliminate any possibility of firms slipping backhanded compliments CUNNINGHAM-ADAMS listing such as this is a significant achievement, feature was also advertised on the NZ Lawyer about their competitors into the mix. ‘Commercial’ has no TIM TUBMAN CHAPMAN TRIPP but we should remind ourselves that there are website (NZLawyermagazine.co.nz). ulterior meaning as used in this feature.

16 | APRIL 2014 APRIL 2014 | 17 COVER FEATURE / HOT LIST 2014 NZLAWYERMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

Stephen Lowe, Graeme Quigley, Barry Brown, Chapman Tripp Russell McVeagh MIXED BLESSINGS Chapman Tripp Chapman Tripp’s Along with Pip Greenwood, who Lawyers who headlined the deals Stephen Lowe had a It’s been another appears later in this list, Graeme leading role advising busy year for Quigley was cited by rival firms environment following the partial Mighty River Power on Chapman Tripp as one of Russell McVeagh’s top all aspects of its IPO and M&A veteran dealmakers, and his profile has privatisation of strategic government assets has also been appointed Barry Brown, who been enhanced by his presence on The NZ government’s Mixed Ownership Model or partial privatisation of to advise the NZ played a leading some significant deals, the most key assets has certainly given the deals environment a much-needed jolt. Treasury on the Genesis role in advising recent of which is his leading Four asset selldowns have either already occurred or are currently in train: Energy selldown. the Crown on the role for Genesis on that entity’s energy companies Meridian, Mighty River Power and Genesis, and national Other examples of his recent work include Air NZ selldown. selldown. One source described carrier Air New Zealand. In this section, we acknowledge some of the firms advising Maui Capital on the establishment of Other landmark deals include advising Quigley’s strength as his “technical and lawyers who played key roles in these significant deals. Please note two private equity funds and investments by those Foodstuffs Wellington on its merger with ability”, but another thought the the listing of lawyers is not exhaustive – not all lawyers on these deals funds, and advising Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres on Foodstuffs Auckland to form New Zealand’s “trusted adviser” tag was the most were included and some appear in other sections of this feature. the sale of its New Zealand Beaurepaires business. largest retail grocery operation. Brown, a apt description here. “He would be One quality for which Lowe has been singled former chairman of the Chapman Tripp seen in NZ as one of those people out for particular praise is versatility: Lowe, well board and a former managing partner of its that the large corporates know known for his expertise in private equity matters, Wellington office, is a member of the Auditor as a trusted adviser, pulling in has had to adapt to a market in which PE activity Regulation Advisory Group of the New extremely complex deals and doing the hard yards,” the source said. “He has been somewhat patchy. “If you built your Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants has enormous energy levels and is seen as a person with huge integrity.” entire practice around PE, you’d be in a pretty and a former member of the New Zealand Quigley also had a leading role advising Fonterra on its corporate sorry state,” said one source. “Clients like Mighty Stock Exchange’s Market Surveillance Panel. restructure and Trading Among Farmers program. River Power would have no particular visibility of [Lowe’s] PE practice, but he’s managed to retain more of that general corporate practice brand, covering both the transactional and advisory ends Mark Freeman, of the spectrum – he’s done that better than most. Bell Gully You’ve gotta have more than one string to your Mark Freeman is described bow in this market, that’s for sure.” However, there as Bell Gully’s senior Joe Windmeyer, is also a view that PE activity is on the mend in statesman in Wellington Russell McVeagh 2014, so maybe the wheel will turn for our and was the firm’s lead Joe Windmeyer is another Russell Brynn Gilbertson, long-suffering PE specialists. lawyer advising the Crown McVeagh lawyer who will be Bell Gully on the Meridian selldown. appearing on the Genesis selldown. Bell Gully picked up two of the Crown roles on “He’s a guy who gets the That particular IPO, however, will the power selldowns – Mighty River Power and deal done, calls a spade a be far from the only significant Meridian – and Brynn Gilbertson was involved in Tim Tubman, Chapman Tripp spade,” said one source. equity deal on Windmeyer’s CV: both deals, taking the lead adviser spot on Mighty Like Lowe, Tim Tubman is another member It is interesting to observe the way Bell Gully he was also one of a collective of River. One source said Gilbertson was now Bell of that elite group of dealmakers who have dealmakers are described. Gavin Macdonald, Russell McVeagh lawyers who took Gully’s most prominent dealmaker: “You see him managed to secure leading roles on more featured later in this list, is described as a lawyer lead roles in advising Fonterra on around a fair bit. He was on the selldown of Meridian than one selldown. In the case of Tubman, who “doesn’t do much talking about stuff he doesn’t the highly complex collection of and Mighty River, acting for the government; that those roles were advising the New Zealand need to, but is very effective”. Brynn Gilbertson is deals related to the Trading Among gives him a bit of profile in my eyes.” government on the sale – by way of an described as “hard-working, a man of few words, a Farmers program. That NZ$8.9bn Another source described Gilbertson as institutional and retail bookbuild – of a 20% reputation for getting the deal done”. It should come deal – which involved the simultaneous launch of a new securities unbelievably resilient. “He’s hard-working, a man stake in Air New Zealand for NZ$365m, as no surprise, then, to hear that Freeman is “plain market, the Fonterra Shareholders’ Market, and the initial public of few words, a reputation for getting the deal done. and also playing a lead adviser role on the speaking, no nonsense, laconic, with long-standing offer of securities in a new fund, the Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund He’s got very loyal client relationships; he’s been Mighty River Power IPO for MRP. Outside of loyal client relationships”. Should we conclude that – was regarded by many as the standout equity deal of 2012. This a long-time trusted adviser for Fletcher Building, the government selldowns, Tubman co-heads Chapman Tripp’s China Bell Gully’s corporate team are not given to flowery certainly didn’t do Windmeyer’s reputation any harm. “He’s scarily in particular.” This includes advising Fletcher Desk, advising Chinese and international clients on investment matters, speech and verbosity? The perception was not smart – he will be down every rabbit hole and know every issue; he’s Building on its NZ$1.3bn takeover of Australia’s including obtaining Overseas Investment Office approvals. He is also a dispelled when we put the question to chairman a safe pair of hands,” said one source. Crane Group, New Zealand’s largest on-market board member of the New Zealand Private Equity and Venture Capital Roger Partridge, himself a straight shooter. “It’s takeover of an Australian public company. Association. good to have a house style,” he affirmed.

18 | APRIL 2014 APRIL 2014 | 19 COVER FEATURE / HOT LIST 2014 NZLAWYERMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

Gavin Macdonald, Pip Greenwood, Kevin Jaffe, Bell Gully Russell McVeagh Simpson Grierson THE LAWYER Bell Gully was described as Rival firms were generous in their Simpson Grierson having a “very good suite” praise of Russell McVeagh’s Pip chairman Kevin Jaffe’s BRANDS of dealmakers, including Greenwood. “Pip’s the big brand recent work includes the Gavin Macdonald, James there – we would rate her above Solid Energy restructuring The pros so synonymous with big deals in Gibson, Brynn Gilbertson everyone else at Russell McVeagh,” and Hirepool’s purchase and Haydn Wong. “It said one source. Another source said of Hirequip. Like many their firms that they’ve become powerful depends on the flavour that Greenwood was known for her lawyers, Jaffe is seeing personal brands in their own right you like, but the senior partner is Gavin. He’s very “fearless, forthright style” and also some positive trends commercial and a very good deal lawyer to work her organisational ability. “She’s not only a great lawyer but emerging in the deal environment. “The talk in NZ It’s a tough life running the marketing function of a top-flight corporate with. James is seen as a younger version of Gavin,” she also has an excellent project management style in terms is that the market generally is picking up … there . In theory at least the firm is a team; a collective in which the effort said one rival. Another source said Macdonald didn’t of pulling things together – she knows what matters and what was a lot more transaction activity last year, which and kudos are shared in equal measure among the partners. The reality, need to do any schmoozing with clients to bring in doesn’t,” said another source. “She’s very good at cutting the is great,” he said. “Also, some of the deals that however, can be somewhat different – every firm has a heavyweight work. “He doesn’t do much talking about stuff he crap and getting to the heart of the matter.” were done some time ago through the funds are dealmaker who is synonymous with that firm and seems to appear on all doesn’t need to, but he’s very effective,” they said. now needing to be reshaped, so that brings some the significant deals. We asked the firms to nominate who they thought Indeed, Macdonald is known for the longevity of his activity in itself.” were the heavyweights at their competitors, and there was a notable client relationships. Several firms commented on Jeremy Johnson, Wynn Williams consistency in the names that were proffered. Here’s what they had to say. his long relationship with Rank Group, approaching Johnson received the Cleary Prize its 25th year, and with Air NZ, which Macdonald in 2009 for New Zealand’s most Kathryn Beck, advised on its recent partial selldown. promising young legal practitioner, Swarbrick Beck and hasn’t disappointed. Back then, Mackinnon Cathy Quinn, Minter Ellison he had just become the youngest Kathryn Beck has had an Rudd Watts Mai Chen, Chen Palmer counsel to appear before the Supreme interesting run of activity. Minter’s Cathy Quinn has built Best-selling legal author Court in 2008, and since then he has The Swarbrick Beck an extensive reputation as a top and Auckland University grown to become an accomplished Mackinnon partner has dealmaker, according to firms. lecturer Mai Chen has litigator specialising in commercial, equity and trust law. advised in a number of “She’s seen as a person who gets been a growing voice on Johnson continues to be regularly published in leading leading cases, facilitating a deals done; she’s very pragmatic. public radio and writes journals and is a member of the Legislation Advisory range of high-level union- She’s very good at getting herself a column in a major Committee, which reviews proposed legislation for the employer relationships. Beck is also a vice president on deals, very aggressive. She newspaper. Her work has Attorney-General and Parliament. of the NZ Law Society, taking a leading role in the seems to do a good job for clients continued to be ground evolving legal framework, both currently in her and they seem to rate her very breaking, advising big corporates and quasi-public vice presidency and previously as a convener of the highly,” said one source. Another sector organisations from her boutique firm. Her NZLS Employment Law Committee. described Quinn as “very client clients range from Origin Energy to the NZ Racing Simon Vodanovich, Buddle Findlay centric, very much dives into Industry Board. Buddle Findlay senior corporate partner what the client is after from a Simon Vodanovich was cited by rivals as a Martin Wiseman, transaction or a negotiation and is tenacious”. They said: “It’s a respected name in the dealmaking world. DLA Phillips Fox small market and sometimes in New Zealand lawyers have their John Strowger, “His name does come up, and considering When retail giant eye on the next deal and the next client, but Cathy is absolutely Chapman Tripp that he’s at a second-tier firm, those people Foodstuffs, franchiser of devoted to what the client wants from their transaction.” Unsurprisingly, several have to do quite well to get noticed in those PAK’nSAVE and other Another source wanted to know why Quinn hadn’t moved firms named M&A veteran firms. He seems to be another guy who is well-known grocery to a “top” firm, although they acknowledged that her current John Strowger as a leading good at getting deals done,” said one source. brands, went shopping for location made sense. “She’s the big fish in that pond and very adviser. “He delivers Without seeking to buy into the perennial a dealmaker last year, they well regarded for it,” they said. “There’s only so much room commercial answers and debate about the demarcation of top tier and chose DLA Phillips Fox for the deal-doers and only so many deals without getting thinks like a business second tier, the source seems to have made chairman Martin Wiseman. conflicted. She’s a fantastic person in the right place to do that person. That’s his standout a fair point in that a lawyer outside the traditional ‘three’ would have to Wiseman, who has acted for the Foodstuffs entities as they don’t have so many conflicts [at Minter].” feature,” said one source. work just a little bit harder to establish themselves. for many years, was lead adviser to the merger Quinn is also the firm’s chair and, with managing partner Strowger is one of the lead lawyers who will advise Recent deals for Vodanovich include acting for Olam on the selldown parties on a deal that saw Foodstuffs Wellington – Mark Weenink and their team, has overseen notable growth in the Crown on the Genesis selldown. Other recent of its stake in Open Country Dairy, acting for Infratil on the acquisition an industrial and provident society – and Foodstuffs revenues of over 30% in four years. Minter is now focusing on deals include advising Fisher Funds on its successful of its stake in Metlifecare and the Z Energy IPO, and acting for the joint Auckland, a company, create a merged cooperative organic growth, after its previous strategy of lateral hires. acquisition of Tower Investments for NZ$79m. lead managers of the Meridian Energy IPO. with annual revenues of greater than NZ$6bn.

20 | APRIL 2014 APRIL 2014 | 21 COVER FEATURE / HOT LIST 2014 NZLAWYERMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

Wetherell acknowledges that the traditional Roger Wallis, Jeffrey Lai, full-service model is under pressure, but adds that Chapman Tripp Anderson LANDMARK this is reflective of the challenges facing the legal Roger Wallis is described as Creagh Lai market generally, particularly the top end. “I don’t the young gun of Chapman Jeffrey Lai has ACHIEVEMENTS think full service versus boutique is the real issue; Tripp’s corporate offering; been a busy man. there will always be room for both. Rather, the issue the rising star who has come The Auckland Lawyers who have recently enjoyed notable is how firms respond to the apparently shrinking into his own in recent years. lawyer recently pool of top-end work and the cost pressures “Historically, Roger has advised Triodent and defining moments in their careers associated with that,” he says. “Culture, not size, is worked with John [Strowger] Holdings and its In this section, we pay tribute to the lawyers who have particular reasons the key determinant, but the beauty of a boutique, as a senior associate – Roger major shareholder to remember 2014 as a key point in their professional careers. The as against full service, is it permits flexibility and was, back in the old days, on the landmark reasons may be obvious – for example, a significant anniversary – or innovation and presents the ability to break down the walking encyclopaedia sale of dental matrix more subtle, such as a coming of age in the eyes of the market; a sudden the silo mentality evident in full-service offerings. on NZ companies and business Dentsply purple patch on the deals front; or overcoming a hurdle to success. Put it this way, I’m glad I am where I am.” securities law and a superb International, a US multinational listed on the Wetherell is included in this section as a nod to technical lawyer, maybe not senior enough to develop a NASDAQ. the collective achievements of the firm over the broader commercial reputation,” said one source. But things For Lai, the deal complements a strong past decade. However, Wetherell the dealmaker has have clearly moved on since then, with Wallis being cited as a technology sector focus, particularly in major Dave Wetherell, Mayne Wetherell also been busy. His recent work includes advising prominent dealmaker by many rivals. technology project development, IT services In April, one of Auckland’s more unique TPG on the New Zealand aspects of the purchase Recent deals for Wallis include advising Metlifecare on outsourcing, software commercialisation, and data firms will celebrate its 10th birthday. of Australia’s biggest poultry producer, Ingham its ASX listing, NZ$80m institutional placement and share migration. Yes, it’s been 10 years since ex-Russell Enterprises, for about A$880m, and advising purchase plan, and advising EBOS on its $239m placement Lai is a founding partner and managing director McVeagh partners Dave Wetherell Fonterra on its five-year NZ$250m ‘‘dim sum” and rights issue in conjunction with its transformative of Auckland firm Anderson Creagh Lai, which and Laurie Mayne broke away to bond issue. acquisition of Symbion for $1.1bn. Incidentally, the EBOS advises on corporate structuring and domestic form boutique corporate and finance deal was led by another of Chapman Tripp’s well-regarded and international business expansion, among practice Mayne Wetherell. Key clients dealmakers, Christchurch-based Alister McDonald. other areas. on the corporate side include private equity firm TPG and the Masthead Grant Kemble, group, and in banking and finance Russell McVeagh the firm is known for its relationship Grant Kemble recently with Fonterra, for whom it performs returned to Russell all finance work. Other major clients McVeagh following Sarah Simmers, Jason Rogers, include Transpower, Auckland Airport, a stint overseas with Anderson Lloyd James & Wells Auckland Council, the four local banks, and many global his family. CEO Gary Sarah Simmers, who heads up the Jason Rogers is institutions and investment banks. McDiarmid says commercial team at Anderson somewhat unique Wetherell said striking out on your own requires some mettle. Kemble is definitely Lloyd, is another dealmaker whose among lawyers for “Assuming you’re leaving one of the large firms, the key issue in on his way back. “In career has gone from strength having a scientific determining whether to establish a boutique firm is to try and revenue terms he’s to strength on the back of some background, truly work out whether a practice is personal or institutional,” he getting up to be one of the high performers here highly noteworthy deals. Last year, in addition to said. “That’s what keeps you awake at night. It worked out very again, which says a great deal for someone who she acted for Combined Rural considerable legal well for us because we had the support from day one of some came back with nothing.” However, it is not simply Traders Society on its merger with experience. The very strong global and local clients, which gave us a solid base to a case of dusting off the Rolodex – Kemble is Farmlands Trading Society, which Auckland-based lawyer has shown this can grow from.” determined not to take the easier path of “fishing involved entities with combined be a lethal combination and has advised on Will we see more boutiques entering the market? “Looking back in the same pond”, and has set himself the historic revenues of NZ$2bn per some exciting clients. Rogers specialises in at the demographic of the present partner universe in the top task of attracting new work from new clients. annum and created a nationwide biotechnology and related fields and heads five firms or so – and the style of younger partner that seems to “He’s doing lots of deals around the place, but they co-op with 54,000 members. up James & Wells’ Life Sciences Group. He be being made up – while a boutique tax practice is possible, in tend to be the ones that aren’t well known, so he’s Simmers also acted for Skeggs is also a partner at James & Wells Patent terms of finance and/or corporate it’s probably run its course carving his way back up again,” said McDiarmid. Group on its sale of Pacific Shipping to Swire, a transaction that closed in and Trademark Attorneys. As a true legal for now,” said Wetherell. “You might continue to see a few older An example of Kemble’s recent work includes February, and also acted for Farmlands Co-operative on its purchase of the renaissance man, Rogers’ technology work guys putting a shingle up, but that is a very different proposition advising the Bathurst Resources group last year on NRM animal feeds business for an undisclosed sum. Simmers is also a guest has been coupled with 17 years of advising to establishing a new firm with longevity in mind, so I don’t think its redomicilation in New Zealand, and full listing lecturer for the University of Otago’s advanced company law and banking clients on IP. In 2014, more complex you’re going to see a flood of new credible boutiques emerging in on the NZX Main Board, and on its subsequent law classes. questions of infringement and patentability the short to medium term.” institutional placement and share purchase plan. will be thrown his way.

22 | APRIL 2014 APRIL 2014 | 23 COVER FEATURE / HOT LIST 2014 NZLAWYERMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

Geof Shirtcliffe, Jared Ormsby, Neil Millar, Grant Dunn, Chapman Tripp Wynn Williams Minter Ellison Buddle Findlay There’s a peculiar art to catching The Canterbury Rudd Watts Grant Dunn has had an the big deals in Wellington. “The earthquakes have certainly Neil Millar is interesting run of late, big deals only come along in that left their scars on the an interesting with deals ranging from market about once every two community, with none example of a vineyards to plantation years, and you can’t get them all, more symbolic than the dealmaker who forests to kiwifruit but you hope like heck you get continuing dispute over has prospered post-harvest operators – them because they make a big the future of the historic following a change perhaps an indicator of difference to your practice if you Christchurch Cathedral. of firms. Previously the kinds of assets and do,” explained one source. Jared Ormsby, who at Kensington deals that will only grow in prominence as the This brings us to Shirtcliffe and his role on one of last is an adviser to the Canterbury Earthquake Swan, Millar has agribusiness sector hots up. year’s major transactions out of Wellington: acting for Recovery Authority, has played a pivotal role in managed to double Recent deals for Dunn include advising Infratil, the New Zealand Superannuation Fund and this litigation, acting for the Anglican Church in the size of his Canadian pension fund PSP Investments on its Z Energy on the latter’s NZ$840m listing on the NZX and the Court of Appeal and High Court in relation to practice since his acquisition of a 30% stake in the Kaingaroa forest the ASX. The Z Energy IPO was New Zealand’s largest the deconstruction of Christchurch Cathedral, and recent move to (New Zealand’s largest forest) and listing since Mighty River’s raising in May 2013, another successfully opposing leave before the Supreme Minter. “He’s an arrangements with Guardians of New Zealand deal in which Chapman Tripp was adviser to the issuer. Court. This case successfully determined that the excellent business Superannuation and Harvard University. He Shirtcliffe is also a lead adviser to the Crown on the Anglican Church was entitled to deconstruct the accumulator who advised the Mud House Wine Group on the sale Genesis selldown. iconic Christchurch Cathedral and build a new loves getting deals of its wine brands and other assets to Accolade cathedral in its stead. done – he is just prolific,” said one source. “His clients love Wines and the sale of 400 hectares of vineyards It’s a divisive issue, but without doubt one of the him; he’s a very garrulous Scotsman with a deep emotional tie to CK Life Sciences. He also advised rural supply most significant matters of national importance with clients.” cooperative Farmlands Trading Society on its to come before the courts in recent times. It Millar’s private equity clients include Advent Capital, merger with CRT to form one of New Zealand’s continues a string of high-profile cases for Ormsby, Champ and New Zealand Equity Partners, and he recently largest cooperatives (54,000 shareholders), and who is also Wynn Williams’ executive chairman. assisted Equity Partners in acquiring Amalgamated Hardware kiwifruit post-harvest operators Aerocool and Hayden Wilson, Merchants. Apata on their merger. Kensington Swan Aside from heading up Mark Stuart, Minter the Government and Ellison Rudd Watts Regulatory practice Minter’s head of corporate at Kensington Swan’s in Auckland, Mark Stuart, Pat Bowler, Wellington office, is known for his ability to Michael Pollard, Russell McVeagh Hayden Wilson keep a cool head under Simpson Grierson He may have recently manages to find time pressure. “People say that Simpson Grierson’s head of moved into a consultant to act as the honorary he’s unflappable; there’s corporate and commercial has role, but there’s no doubt solicitor for the New been some high-tension had another productive year, that Wellington-based Zealand University deals lately where people capped by a role advising China’s Pat Bowler continues to Students’ Association have got fairly excited and Bright Dairy & Food Company on have a significant profile in and the Otago he’s managed to bring the whole thing together the NZ$120m IPO of Synlait Milk. the market. He’s a veteran University Students’ and keep everybody calm,” said one source. “He’s a very dynamic of some transformative Association. He is While all of the lawyers featured in this dealmaker – hungry and deals over the past decade, also commissioner of section could be said to be on a roll, in Stuart’s really solution-focused; including the formation of Fonterra in 2001 American football in case that might apply literally, with one of his very keen to find ways to get and the rejuvenation of the New Zealand rail Wellington. recent deals being advising Tourism Holdings through problems. He’s just industry in 2011; more recently he has been a key Wilson has appeared Limited on the merger of its campervan business a very effective and energetic adviser to the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery in the Court of Appeal, with United Campervans and KEA Campers, a dealmaker,” said one source. Authority on its response to the serious quake the High Court, and in various other courts and tribunals, transformational deal for the industry. Stuart also Other significant recent deals damage in Christchurch. This was innovative including acting for Nga Hapu in proceedings brought by advised Affinity Equity Partners on the acquisition for Pollard include advising Craigs Investment Partners, First NZ work in a tight timeframe that required the members of the iwi, successfully defending a challenge to of Tegel Foods, working in conjunction with Capital, Forsyth Barr, and Macquarie Capital on the $155m block development of a legal framework for insurance the Crown’s decision to recognise Nga Hapu’s mandate to Minter Ellison Sydney. The deal was Affinity’s first trade of Quadrant Private. coverage of damaged residential properties in the negotiate on behalf of its members. New Zealand transaction. Christchurch Red Zone.

24 | APRIL 2014 APRIL 2014 | 25 COVER FEATURE / HOT LIST 2014 NZLAWYERMAGAZINE.CO.NZ

Simon Collett, Nick Wells, Tamina Holland Beckett Chapman Tripp Cunningham-Adams, PILLARS OF THE Simon Collett is no Building relationships with Simpson Grierson stranger to community Maori communities has been The Auckland Pride COMMUNITY causes. The Tauranga a particular focal point for Festival Trust is a lawyer acts as a board New Zealand firms in a CSR non-profit organisation Recognising lawyers who made significant member at the Bay context. One example of a supporting the Rainbow of Plenty Cricket dedicated practitioner in this (LGBTIQ) Community, contributions to good causes Association Inc and is a space is Chapman Tripp’s and some of its activities Thousands of hours are donated every year by New Zealand lawyers to member of the YMCA’s Nick Wells, who leads the include coordinating the good causes: from heritage conservation to community legal advice to National Board (sitting firm’s Maori Services Group, Auckland Pride Parade the celebration of diversity. These lawyers get involved in such work in Wellington). As if this Te Waka Ture. and festival events in because of a personal engagement with their cause. They’re not out to wasn’t enough devotion Wells was a member the broader context of building relationships seek publicity, but just this once we’re going to put some of them in the to charitable initiatives, the partner at Holland of the Treaty Team for and improving the lives of all Aucklanders, spotlight and recognise their efforts. Beckett is also trustee of a number of other Ngati Whatua Orakei and but specifically those connected to LGBTIQ charity-related organisations and an associate he assists a number of communities. member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport community organisations, Tamina Cunningham-Adams, a banking and in New Zealand. including the Te Potiki National Trust, the Sir Hugh finance litigation associate, approached the Collett specialises in property and trusts, with Kawharu Foundation, the Sir Peter Blake Trust and the First Simpson Grierson board with a proposal to provide an emphasis on mortgagee sales, residential Foundation. pro bono support to the Trust, a proposal that was and retirement developments, rental property His recent pro bono work includes Structuring and Treaty endorsed with enthuasiasm by the board. Simpson portfolios and Public Works Act matters. Settlement arrangements for the Parahirahi Trust as the Grierson is sponsoring the Auckland Pride Festival owners of the Ngawha hot springs, and advising the Motu for the first time this year. Kokako Ahu Whenua Trust on a high-profile dispute with We were particularly impressed by a glowing tourism operators about access rights to the Hole in the Rock. reference supplied by David Coltman, co-chair of the Auckland Pride Festival Trust. “The guidance Rachael Brown, and support of Tamina has meant that we have Bell Gully been able to protect the interests of funders, Wellington-based Jen Crawford, Anderson Lloyd our community and those volunteers who have Bell Gully partner The Christchurch rebuild has contributed to bringing the celebration of our Rachael Brown is been a matter close to the hearts diversity back to the streets of Auckland,” he wrote. currently responsible of not only locals but also the for arranging nation at large. It is therefore with secondments of the some pleasure that we are able Andrew Butler, firm’s junior lawyers to to acknowledge Anderson Lloyd Russell McVeagh community law centres partner Jen Crawford and her work Andrew Butler, as convenor in Wellington and Hutt on the restoration of the Arts Centre of the New Zealand Law Andrew Harmos, Harmos Horton Lusk Valley, the objective of Christchurch. This project, Society’s Human Rights Who says art and lawyers can’t mix? As a trustee of the Arts Foundation being to provide a believed to be the largest heritage and Privacy Committee, of New Zealand, businessman and philanthropist Andrew Harmos has solicitor to assist for one day each week on a pro project currently being undertaken has dedicated his time make a significant contribution to the New Zealand art landscape and bono basis. in the world, involves an NZ$290m, to fostering the broader also sits as a trustee of the McCahon House Trust. The initiative was Brown herself is described as a “prolific” seven-year post-earthquake program to restore a cluster national dialogue on human established to restore and preserve Colin McCahon’s house in French pro bono practitioner with a number of clients, of heritage buildings and rebuild the city’s cultural heart. rights, devoting many Bay, Auckland, and establish a residency for artists in his honour. including home healthcare and support provider Crawford is chair of the Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust hours to the review of proposed legislation and Harmos also continues to stand out as a legal entrepreneur. He is Access Homehealth. “As a charitable organisation Board, giving her time on a pro bono basis. government policy papers from a human rights the founding director of specialist corporate/commercial firm Harmos faced with litigation ... we were potentially “Jen is absolutely devoted to the Christchurch Arts Centre, perspective. Horton Lusk. Despite this, he has been no stranger to corporate incurring costs that could have limited our ongoing and she lives and breathes its restoration,” said Nicky Wagner, However, this is far from the full extent of structures – he was appointed a director of NZX in 2002 and is a charitable activities throughout New Zealand. MP for Christchurch Central. “I am impressed by her Butler’s pro bono activities; other examples include director of ASX-listed Westfield Retail Trust. Harmos is also fund [Bell Gully’s] assistance in meeting the costs of enthusiasm and the enormous amount of time and energy she managing his firm’s long-standing relationship manager at investment companies Elevation Capital Management Ltd these legal fees has been a substantial assistance has put into ensuring that the Arts Centre will be fully restored with the Wellington Community Law Centre, and and Pascaro Investments Ltd. to our organisation,” said Access CEO Graeme with a sustainable operating model for the future. It is quite an assisting the trans-Tasman charity So They Can in Titcombe. achievement.” registering as a charitable institution.

26 | APRIL 2014 APRIL 2014 | 27