Christina Sheard Kensington Swan partner

Christina Sheard has been made a partner of Kensington Swan.  Admitted in September 1999, Christina is a resource management specialist with over 15 years' experience in Auckland and London.  She joins partner, Nicky McIndoe, who leads the firm's Environment and Planning Team at the firm's Auckland office.  Christina advises on a wide variety…

Philip Leightley promoted by Bell Gully

Bell Gully has promoted Philip Leightley to senior associate. Philip was admitted in September 2009 and started his career with Bell Gully, returning from London law firm Slaughter and May in late 2015. Philip advises clients on capital markets transactions, private acquisitions and general corporate compliance.

Daniel Wong appointed to NZSO Board

Lawyer Daniel Wong has been appointed to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Board, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry says. "Mr Wong has an extensive background in the corporate legal sector in New Zealand and the UK, and is the director and co-founder of the Auckland based specialist corporate law…

Waikato law students win Australian competition

A team of law students from the University of Waikato has secured victory over the University of Canterbury, winning the Australian national negotiation competition in Hobart on 8 July 2016. The winning team was made up of Zachary Katene, studying a Bachelor of Laws with honours and Bachelor of Management Studies…

Alex Laurenson President of NZLS Taranaki branch

Govett Quilliam partner Alex Laurenson has been elected President of the Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Law Society. Mr Laurenson replaces Rajan Rai, who was President for six terms from 2010 to 2016.  The Taranaki branch Council elected at the branch AGM on 26 June 2016 is: Rachael Webb (Vice-President), Tom…

Andy Coupe to chair Takeovers Panel

Takeovers Panel Deputy Chairperson Andy Coupe has been appointed Chairperson, effective from 1 October 2016. Mr Coupe will take over from David Jones, who has been a member of the Panel since its formation in 1995, serving first as Deputy Chair and then as Chair from 2007. Andy Coupe has practised as…

Three lawyers join Buddle Findlay

Samantha Barrington Prowse has rejoined Buddle Findlay's Wellington office as a senior associate in the banking and finance, and corporate and commercial teams.  Samantha advises on corporate transactional banking, acquisition finance, property finance, debt restructuring and recovery as well as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and general corporate advisory matters.  Oliver Gascoigne has…

Danny Tuato'o promoted to Associate

Danny Tuato'o has been made an associate at Marsden Woods Inskip Smith in Whangarei.  Danny has been part of the firm since 2014 in the property and commercial team.  He practises in residential and rural property, business sales and purchases including leases, joint ventures and shareholder agreements, easements and advising Māori trusts…

New lawyers join Morrison Kent

Debbie Dunbar has joined Morrison Kent in Wellington as a partner, adding a family law practice to the firm.  Debbie specialises in all areas of family law, with a focus on separation and relationship property matters as well as contested estates.  Maretta Twentyman has joined the family law team at the firm…

New special counsel at Buddle Findlay

Buddle Findlay has appointed two new special counsel.  Myles O'Brien advises on transactional banking and restructuring in the Auckland insolvency team. Myles specialises in advising financiers on corporate transactional banking and property finance and also advises financiers and insolvency practitioners in relation to distressed debt solutions and enforcement of security.  Blake Cescon is…