2017 New Zealand Law Awards Winners

13th Annual

2017

2017 WINNERS

Event partner

Award sponsors

Official publication

Organised by

13th Annual

2017

Official publication

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www.lawawards.co.nz

EVENT PARTNER

The legal industry’s elite gathered in Auckland to celebrate the profession's most notable achievements of 2017 on Thursday 23 November - from the best arising young talent to the top dealmakers A RECORD crowd of over 700 legal practitioners gathered at The Cordis Auckland (formerly The Langham) on Thursday 23 November for the 13th annual New Zealand Law Awards.

Following a rigorous five-month nomination and judging process, the country’s best firms, in-house teams and individuals were recognised across 28 award categories at the black-tie event.

Guests were treated to performances by local musicians Mark Cunningham and Annie Crummer and were kept entertained by the host, radio broadcaster Leah Panapa making for an evening of true celebration.

Crowe Horwarth, supported the awards as the event partner for the fourth consecutive year. Phil Mulvey, Executive Managing Partner at Crowe Horwath told NZ Lawyer: “Crowe Horwath was very pleased to support the New Zealand Law Awards once again. It’s been a great opportunity to celebrate the contributors to the industry and recognise outstanding firms and individuals."

NZ Lawyer would like to say congratulations to all of this year's award winners. We’d also like to thank all of our judges, presenters, award sponsors and our event partner Crowe Horwath.

Read on to find out who took home the trophies this year.

2017 NEW ZEALAND LAW AWARDS BY THE NUMBERS

715 guests

138

companies represented

183

finalists

71

tables

34

awards

28

weeks since entries opened

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13th Annual

2017

CAPITAL MARKETS DEAL OF THE YEAR

SYNLAIT MILK’S CAPITAL RAISING AND DUAL LISTING ON ASX

Mark Forman, Partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts (pictured left) and Ian Beaumont, Partner at Russell McVeagh, collect their awards for their involvement in Synlait Milk’s capital raising and dual listing.

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CONSUMER, MEDIA AND TECH DEAL OF THE YEAR

NBCUNIVERSAL JOINT VENTURE WITH MEDIAWORKS FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE BRAVO CHANNEL

Mark Forman, Partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts (pictured left) and Alex Nicholson, General Counsel at MediaWorks NZ (pictured centre) and Ian Beaumont, Partner at Russell McVeagh, were recognised for their work on the MediaWorks - NBCUniversal joint venture.

FINALISTS

FINALISTS

• Chorus Five-Year Bond Issuance • Michael Hill International Re-Domicile • New Zealand King Salmon IPO And Dual listing • Restaurant Brands Accelerated Rights Entitlement Offer • Stride Property Stapling Structure and IPO • Trustpower Demerger

• New Zealand Government's Emergency Caller Location Technology • NZME Demerger From APN • Phase Two of the Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative

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EVENT PARTNER

MYOB M&A DEAL OF THE YEAR

ACQUISITION OF NUPLEX INDUSTRIES LIMITED

Talking to NZ Lawyer after winning this award, James Cooney, Partner at Bell Gully, said the acquisition of Nuplex Industries was “a great transaction, so very fitting that it won”.

The deal was the largest takeover in more than a decade, and saw the scheme process used for the first time in a large-scale transaction.

FINALISTS • Accident Compensation Corporation And NZ Super's Acquisition Of Stake In Kiwibank Group • Newell Brands Acquisition Of Sistema • Silver Fern Farms Share Sale • Z Energy Acquisition Of Chevron New Zealand PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Designed with your business in mind. ‘Clients drive our world’ is the core MYOB value. Our solutions are built for businesses of all shapes, sizes and sectors - from start-ups to well established operations, including those operating nationally and internationally. As a market leader, we help businesses grow from a single entrepreneur all the way through having hundreds of employees.

INTERNATIONAL DEAL OF THE YEAR

SALE OF 51% OF THE SHARES IN SILVER FERN FARMS

Kelvin Preston, Senior Associate at Harmos Horton Lusk, spoke to NZ Lawyer about winning this award: “It feels really good – it was a year and a half of good hard work. There were a lot of challenges in the deal and to get it done is such a good news story in the New Zealand meat industry”.

FINALISTS • AMP Life Insurance Mergers • Newell Brands Acquisition Of Sistema • Puhoi To Warkworth Motorway PPP

Angela Beswick, National Manager – Pinnacle Sales E: Angela.Beswick@myob.com P: +64 9 925 3509 Ext: 6509 W: www.myob.com

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13th Annual

2017

MID-MARKET DEAL OF THE YEAR

ACQUISITION OF LEADER FOODS

Michael Gartshore, Partner at Webb Henderson (pictured left) and David Raudkivi Partner at Russell McVeagh (pictured right), picked up the award for their firms’ work in the acquisition of Leader Foods

by Patties Foods and Pacific Equity Partners.

FINALISTS • Merger Of HW Richardson And Dynes Transport • Scales Corporation Limited Acquisition Of Longview Group Holdings Limited • Takeover Of Radius By Way Of Scheme Of Arrangement • Tomra Acquisition Of Compac Sorting • Vector’s Acquisition Of E-Co Products

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EVENT PARTNER

REMBRANDT NEW ZEALAND DEAL OF THE YEAR

ACQUISITION OF NUPLEX INDUSTRIES LIMITED BY ALLNEX

The finalists in this category comprised the winners of the market-specific deal awards noted on previous pages. In a year marked by several landmark deals, ultimately this acquisition took the crown. Ian Beaumont, Partner at Russell McVeagh, explained: “It was a great transaction and we’ve had a really great year. This was quite a complicated, innovative and transformative transaction so we’re really happy to get this award.”

FINALISTS • •

Acquisition of Leader Foods NBCUniversal Joint Venture with MediaWorks for the Launch of the Bravo Channel

•

•

Sale of 51% of the Shares in Silver Fern Farms Synlait Milk’s Capital Raising and Dual Listing on ASX

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Rembrandt have been making suits since 1946 and remain the leading made to measure specialist in Australasia.

We’ve built our reputation and success on understanding the principles of classic tailoring, combining them with modern designs and technology, using cloth from the world's finest mills. The perfect suit requires equal parts style and craftsmanship, a delicate balance that we’ve perfected over 70 years.

Today the Rembrandt collection includes contemporary tailoring, clothing, footwear and accessories.

We have stores in Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North, Dunedin and Sydney.

P: 093030565 E: shortlandstreet@rebrandt.co.nz W: www.rembrandt.co.nz

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13th Annual

2017

ANTHONY HARPER YOUNG IN-HOUSE LAWYER OF THE YEAR (35 OR UNDER)

PATRICK GAMBLE, COMPLECTUS GROUP Patrick Gamble, Group General Counsel at Complectus, told NZ Lawyer that he is “honoured and excited to have been named the Young In-House Lawyer of the Year”. Gamble credited much of his achievement to the opportunity given to him by his boss and support from the firms he works with.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: JEMMA STEVENSON - POWERCO

FINALISTS • Alice Balme, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) • Kim Beech, Z Energy • Richard (Ricky) Hann, Zespri Group Ltd • Megan Potter, CooperAitken Ltd • Charlotte Sygrove, Fonterra • Jemma Stevenson, Powerco • Mike Wakefield, Auckland Council

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Anthony Harper is an award-winning national law firm.

For more than 150 years we have helped, assisted and advised New Zealand and international clients achieve their goals. Our high performing, internationally ranked solicitors are deeply immersed in our 20 specialist areas.

There is a difference. For further information, see www.anthonyharper.co.nz Contact: Malcolm Hurley, Managing Partner P: +64 21 190 3344 E: malcolm.hurley@ah.co.nz

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EVENT PARTNER

MINTERELLISONRUDDWATTS IN-HOUSE LAWYER OF THE YEAR

SASHA DANIELS, SPARK Sasha Daniels, Senior Counsel Competition & Regulation at Spark told NZ Lawyer that he was “ecstatic”, “surprised” and “privileged” to win this award.

One judge described Daniels’ achievements over the past 12 months as “truly impressive”.

FINALISTS • Andrew Cordner, Fonterra • Jonathon Earl, KiwiRail • Katherine Evans, Zespri International Ltd • David Knight, Transpower New Zealand Ltd • Catherine Schache, Environment Canterbury • Malcolm Shaw, New Zealand Post Ltd • Howard Thomas, Mercury • Scott Weenink, Auckland Airport • Blair Williams, IAG New Zealand

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

MinterEllisonRuddWatts is one of New Zealand’s premier law firms. We’re also part of the MinterEllison Legal Group, one of the largest legal groups in the Asia-Pacific. Listening to our clients, caring about their business and delivering excellent solutions and innovative advice is at the heart of who we are.

Contact: Mike Schubert, Chief Executive P: +64 21 190 3344 E: mike.schubert@minterellison.co.nz W: www.minterellison.co.nz

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13th Annual

2017

RUSSELL MCVEAGH IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR

FONTERRA CO-OPERATIVE GROUP LIMITED

One judge was impressed with the way Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited has “dealt with multiple jurisdictions, multiple areas of law”, while continuing to provide “innovative solutions”.

NZ Lawyer asked Andrew Cordner, director of Legal at Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, what he thinks makes a successful in-house legal team - he said: “I think collaboration and cohesiveness amongst the team with everybody working together. I think we’ve got a good collective value set (at Fonterra) - we all think the same way and I think that’s really made the difference for us.”

FINALISTS

• Powerco Legal Team

• Auckland Council Legal Services Team

• Spark New Zealand Legal Team

• Auckland International Airport In-house Team • Mercury In-house Legal Team • Employment Relations Team at New Zealand Police

• Vector Ltd • Z Legal Team

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Russell McVeagh is New Zealand's premier commercial law firm. With nearly 350 staff and partners across both Auckland and Wellington offices, our lawyers are the best in their fields and recognised internationally for their expertise. We provide strategic, commercial advice to assist our clients with their most challenging, high-profile transactions.

Gary McDiarmid, Chief Executive Officer P: +64 9 367 8091 E: gary.mcdiarmid@russellmcveagh.com W: www.russellwcveagh.com.au

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EVENT PARTNER

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13th Annual

2017

FINANCIAL SERVICES IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR

KIWIBANK IN-HOUSE TEAM

When asked what this award means to the team, Larissa Vaughan, Head of Legal – wealth at Kiwibank, said: “I think it represents a huge amount of work we’ve put in over this past year – we’ve suffered an earthquake, we’ve had a change of shareholders, we’ve done a huge amount of work in terms of innovation and the fin-tech space, so it represents the work the team have put in.”

One judge described Vaughan as an “opinion leader and legal innovator”.

Pictured above left, Larissa Vaughan, Head of Legal – Wealth at Kiwibank, pictured center, Rachel Lethbridge, Senior Legal Counsel at Kiwibank, pictured right Neil Russ, Partner at Buddle Findlay.

FINALISTS • AIG • AMP Financial Services In-house Team • ANZ • ASB • BNZ • Financial Services Complaints Ltd Case Management Team • Tower Legal and Governance Team • Westpac NZ

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EVENT PARTNER

EMPLOYMENT LAW SPECIALIST FIRM OF THE YEAR

DUNDAS STREET

Susan Hornsby-Geluk, Managing Partner of Dundas Street (pictured left with John Wilkings of MYOB), told NZ Lawyer that she was “amazed and overwhelmed” to have won this award for the second year in a row.

Hornsby-Geluk believes teamwork is the key to her firm’s success.

Judges praised Dundas Street on establishing a reputation as “one of the top employment practices” and “attracting and retaining talented and committed staff”.

LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION SPECIALIST LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

WILSON HARLE

This marks the fourth consecutive year Wilson Harle has won this award. Judges were impressed by the firm’s “impressive list of clients”, the “wide range of complex litigation successfully resolved” as well as its “great reputation domestically and internationally”.

FINALISTS • K3 Legal Ltd • Morris Legal • Norling Law

• • • •

Parker & Associates Prestige Lawyers Ltd Rainey Law Rice + Co

FINALISTS • Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law • Garry Pollak & Co • Goldstein Ryder Ltd • LangtonHudsonButcher • McBride Davenport James • SBM Legal

“I think we’re very fortunate to keep winning as a number of our competing firms are very successful themselves so the only thing I can really put it down to is the quality of the people we have which leads to the work that we continue to get.”

Allison Ferguson, Partner at Wilson Harle

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13th Annual

2017

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SPECIALIST LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

AJ PARK

This is now the fourth consecutive year that AJ Park has won this award.

When asked by NZ Lawyer what sets his firm apart from the competition, John Hackett, principal at AJ Hackett (pictured right with Zac Bingham of Automio), explained: “All the firms provide a very professional standard, but we have fantastic clients and fantastic people to do the work”.

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PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION SPECIALIST LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

THOMPSON BLACKIE BIDDLES LIMITED

Sam Greenwood, Director of Thompson Blackie Biddles (pictured), said it is “fantastic and a real honour to win (this award)”.

Greenwood, also shared his thoughts on how his firm has managed to hold onto this award for four consecutive years with NZ Lawyer: “Our team’s enthusiasm to do the job that we do is second to none and I think that’s shown through this award”.

FINALISTS

FINALISTS

• Baldwins Intellectual Property • CreateIP • Ellis Terry • Hudson Gavin Martin • James & Wells • Zone Law

• Alexander Dorrington • Domain Legal • Queen City Law

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EVENT PARTNER

AIG INSURANCE SPECIALIST LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

WOTTON + KEARNEY (FORMALLY DAC BEACHCROFT NEW ZEALAND)

When asked by NZ Lawyer what he believes sets his firm apart, Andrew Moore, Senior Associate at Wotton + Kearney, said: “I think it’s our client services and our attention to giving the clients what they need and making sure that the service is tailored to them really sets us apart.”

Judges were in agreement, with one stating the firm has a “highly regarded insurance practice - evidenced by the standing of their clients and the complexity of the issues involved.”

FINALISTS • Grant Shand • Kennedys

• McElroys Lawyers • Rhodes & Co • Robertsons

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

AIG is the world’s largest insurance organisation, with more than 88 million customers around the globe. Operating in New Zealand since 1970, we offer a comprehensive range of corporate and commercial insurance and risk management products and services, helping businesses capture today’s opportunities and look to the future with confidence.

Simon Foley, Head of Client and Broker Engagement P: 093553100 E: simon.foley@aig.com W: www.aig.co.nz

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13th Annual

2017

AUTOMIO BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

WEBB HENDERSON Judges stated in their feedback that Webb Henderson is “consistently excellent across the board” with an “impressive workload for a boutique firm”.

Michael Gartshore, Partner at Webb Henderson (pictured left with Olivia Wensley of Automio), told NZ Lawyer that he was “very happy” to have won this award for the fourth year in a row.

FINALISTS • • • • • • • •

Flacks & Wong Goldstein Ryder Ltd Hazel Armstrong Law Layburn Hodgins McBride Davenport James Simmonds Stewart Ltd TGT Legal Wackrow Williams & Davies Ltd

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Automio is fabulous document automation software that's affordable and simple to use (and even a little bit fun). Created here in New Zealand, Automio allows lawyers to create legal documents in seconds and serve clients online.

Contact: Zac Bingham, Business Development Manager P: +09 888 0365 E: zac@autom.io W: www.autom.io

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EVENT PARTNER

LEGAL PERSONNEL EMPLOYER OF CHOICE (>100 LAWYERS)

LEGAL PERSONNEL EMPLOYER OF CHOICE (<50 LAWYERS)

LEGAL PERSONNEL EMPLOYER OF CHOICE (51-100 LAWYERS)

WEBB HENDERSON

WYNN WILLIAMS

Webb Henderson continues to attract great lawyers from the big firms because of its workplace culture.

Partner Garth Sinclair (pictured right with Sarah Bartlett of Legal Personnel) said: “We try very hard to create an environment where we get great work for our people and where they can thrive."

Judges complimented Wynn Williams on its “comprehensive approach towards ensuring a good employment experience” and its “commitment to inclusion and wellness”.

Ash Hill, Partner at Wynn Williams is pictured collecting the award with Judith Eller and Lee Scott of Legal Personnel.

“For us this award has been a combination of a couple of years of really hard work and a massive amount of cultural change in those two years” explained Lesley Elvidge, Human Resources Director at Russell McVeagh (pictured with Legal Personnel’s Jarrod Moyle).

FINALISTS

• Bell Gully • Buddle Findlay • Chapman Tripp • MinterEllisonRuddWatts • Simpson Grierson

FINALISTS • BlackmanSpargo Rural Law Ltd • Davenports Harbour Lawyers • Ellis Terry • Glaister Ennor • Layburn Hodgins

• • • •

Anderson Lloyd Anthony Harper James & Wells Lane Neave

RUSSELL MCVEAGH

FINALISTS

• Mac & Co Lawyers Ltd • Smith and Partners Lawyers

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Legal Personnel is a premium, specialist Legal Recruitment Company with a depth of experienced in recruiting for legal positions in all sectors and private practice. We identify talent for the future, succession, partner relocations and transition small firms to new firms successfully. We offer professional well-aligned salary bench marking through our annual legal salary survey.

Jarrod Moyle, Managing Director P: 093599244 E: Jarrod.moyle@legalpersonnel.co.nz W: www.legalpersonnel.co.nz

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13th Annual

2017

RESOLUTION INSTITUTE MEDIATOR OF THE YEAR

TIMOTHY MCMICHAEL Judges commended Timothy McMichael (pictured left with Resolution Institute’s Mark Beech) on his “impressive workload and outcomes” and “making a real difference for a broad range of people”.

McMichael explained: “The award is about recognising where family mediation and even dispute resolution has got to in New Zealand – it’s the start of something and although we have got a long way to go, this is a wonderful start.”

FINALISTS • Peter Franks • Nina Khouri • Judith Scott

• Keith Shaw • Hayden Wilson • John Wood

"The Mediator of the Year award recognises the significant contribution that mediation makes to resolution of disputes in New Zealand. The 2017 finalists represent the breath of areas that mediators work in – with finalists from involved in employment mediation, family dispute resolution and a wide range of commercial mediation.”

Catherine Cooper, General Manager New Zealand, Resolution Institute PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Resolution Institute is a vibrant community of mediators and other DR professionals.

Created by the integration of LEADR and the Institute of Arbitrators and Mediators Australia, we have over 4,000 members across New Zealand and Australia. As LEADR, Resolution Institute has been training and accrediting mediators for more than 20 years.

Catherine Cooper, General Manager New Zealand P: +0800 453 237 E: infonz@resolution.institute W: www.resolution.institute

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EVENT PARTNER

ARTEMIS YOUNG PRIVATE PRACTICE LAWYER OF THE YEAR (35 OR UNDER)

JEREMY JOHNSON, WYNN WILLIAMS Jeremy Johnson was a clear winner in this category and was praised by judges for his impressive career and leadership to date.

Johnson was “honoured” to win this award and credited his “supportive” and “trusting” firm, Wynn Williams, for allowing him to progress in the way he has.

FINALISTS • Lucy Becke, Russell McVeagh • Josh Cairns, Simpson Grierson • Liz Coats, Bell Gully • Lucy de Latour, Wynn Williams • Igor Drinkovic, MinterEllisonRuddWatts • Jessica Hanning, Anthony Harper • Joshua Leckie, Lane Neave • Dr Maria A Pozza, Lane Neave • Henry Willis, Webb Henderson

“Artemis is committed to supporting the ongoing development of New Zealand’s legal profession. This award recognises and celebrates the next generation of our profession.

With these emerging leaders in our legal profession, the future looks bright indeed.”

Kathryn Cross, Director PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Artemis is a premium executive search and recruitment firm that specialises in legal, human resources and executive leadership appointments. Offering bespoke recruitment and search services across a range of functional disciplines including General Counsel, Partners, Lawyers, CEO’s, Managing Directors, General Management, Senior to mid-Management and Non-Executive Directors, Artemis offers national, Trans-Tasman and international search capability.

Kathryn Cross, Director E: kathryn.cross@artemisnz.com P: k+64 9 354 3543

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13th Annual

2017

CROWE HORWATH MANAGING PARTNER OF THE YEAR (<100 LAWYERS)

CROWE HORWATH MANAGING PARTNER OF THE YEAR (>100 LAWYERS)

JARED ORMSBY WYNN WILLIAMS

PETER CHEMIS BUDDLE FINDLAY

Pictured left Ash Hill, Partner at Wynn Williams, (collecting on behalf of Jared Ormsby), and Michael Lee of Crowe Horwath.

Pictured left Sherridan Cook, Partner at Buddle Findlay, (collecting on behalf of Peter Chemis) and Michael Lee of Crowe Horwath.

FINALISTS

FINALISTS

• Richard Greenaway, Anderson Lloyd • William Antony Holden, DAC Beachcroft New Zealand • Malcolm Hurley, Anthony Harper • Paul McBride, McBride Davenport James • Lee Anne Stevens, Stevens Orchard Lawyers

• Chris Gordon, Bell Gully • Catriona Grover, Kensington Swan • Kevin Jaffe, Simpson Grierson

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Crowe Horwath offers a full range of accounting services including tax, audit and business advice across our offices.

We have the resources and proven experience to maximise our clients’ growth potential. Clients value our practical, commercial, industry specific advice and our ability to translate accounting information and financial reports into pragmatic advice. We cater for all sizes of business and work with you to identify and implement the right structures, funding options and efficiencies to deliver your aspirations for growth, profitability and personal wealth.

Phil Mulvey, COO, Crowe Horwath NZ E: phil.mulvey@crowehorwath.co.nz W: www.crowehorwath.co.nz

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EVENT PARTNER

DEAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (<100 LAWYERS)

DEAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (>100 LAWYERS)

ANDERSON LLOYD INFRASTRUCTURE TEAM

RUSSELL MCVEAGH CORPORATE ADVISORY TEAM

Judges commended Anderson Lloyd’s on being a “clearly dominant team in a particular specialist area” – that is in the PPP space. The breadth, complexity and scale of the transactions the firm has advised on made Anderson Lloyd the judge’s “standout” in this category.

The judging panel were impressed by the Russell McVeagh Corporate Advisory Team’s “array of complex deals”, “amazing work" and “impressive client base”.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: BELL GULLY CORPORATE TEAM

HIGHLY COMMENDED: MAYNE WETHERELL CORPORATE TEAM

FINALISTS

FINALISTS

• • • • • •

• Bell Gully - Corporate Team • Chapman Tripp - Corporate Team • MinterEllisonRuddWatts • Simpson Grierson

Anthony Harper - Corporate Advisory Team Flacks & Wong - Corporate and M&A Team Harmos Horton Lusk Ltd - Corporate Team Mayne Wetherell - Corporate Team Webb Henderson - Corporate Team Wynn Williams - Corporate Advisory Team

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13th Annual

2017

CROWE HORWATH MID-SIZE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

ANDERSON LLOYD Winning this award for the fourth consecutive year, Anderson Lloyd is maintaining and building its reputation as an alternative to the large firms - only strengthened by its recent recruitment efforts.

One judge noted that this firm “is now well-established as one of the best firms in NZ”. Pictured: Frazer Barton, Chairman of Partners at Anderson Lloyd (left) with Crowe Horwath’s Greg Neill.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: LANE NEAVE

FINALISTS • Cavell Leitch • Hesketh Henry

• Lane Neave • Neilsons • Tompkins Wake • Wynn Williams

“Winning the Crowe Horwath Mid-Sized Law Firm of the Year Award is a big deal, as this is the largest sized segment of the industry so Anderson Lloyd has really shone through as exceptional!” Phil Mulvey, Executive Managing Partner at Crowe Horwath PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Crowe Horwath offers a full range of accounting services including tax, audit and business advice across our offices.

We have the resources and proven experience to maximise our clients’ growth potential. Clients value our practical, commercial, industry specific advice and our ability to translate accounting information and financial reports into pragmatic advice. We cater for all sizes of business and work with you to identify and implement the right structures, funding options and efficiencies to deliver your aspirations for growth, profitability and personal wealth.

Phil Mulvey, Executive Managing Partner, Crowe Horwath NZ E: phil.mulvey@crowehorwath.co.nz W: www.crowehorwath.co.nz

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EVENT PARTNER

REGIONAL/ SUBURBAN LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

BLACKMANSPARGO RURAL LAW LIMITED

Rachel Petterson, Director of BlackmanSpargo Rural Law Limited (pictured left with Kerry Nickels of The Warehouse Ltd), told NZ Lawyer she was “very excited” to win this category for the third consecutive year and this win was “totally unexpected”.

Judges commented on this firm’s “commitment to service” as well as its “diverse management in a traditionally male, rural area”.

FINALISTS • • • • • •

Bamford Law Daniel Overton & Goulding Nash Jordan Law Ltd North Harbour Law Southern Legal Stevens Orchard Lawyers

LARGE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

RUSSELL MCVEAGH

Russell McVeagh has had a big year – involved in most of the major deals recognised at this year’s New Zealand Law Awards and picking up a number of awards at the event.

FINALISTS • Anthony Harper • Bell Gully • Buddle Findlay • Chapman Tripp • MinterEllisonRuddWatts • Simpson Grierson

“It’s been a huge year for us in terms of commitment not just being excellent lawyers, but also to the other things that really matter – our people, the leadership of them, diversity in the fuller sense of the word, we’ve done a lot of work in that space and I think that’s been the difference from the top to the bottom.” Gary McDiarmid, Chief Executive Officer of Russell McVeagh

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13th Annual

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THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS Event partner

Award sponsors

For more information about award winners and photos from the event, www.lawawards.co.nz