Judges’ comments include: “Significant cases, and overall breadth of work and activity; Commitment to pay equity and pro bono; Handled some very challenging work, good focus on training for staff; Impressive achievements; Outstanding, highly responsive services and top notch client service; Strong performance and niche expertise in the field of investigations and senior HR processes.”

Judges’ comments include: ”Significant dispute resolution work, demonstrating expertise and client service; A cut above in terms of breath & depth of reputation, level of work undertaken and results as well as pro bono contributions; Impressive range of cases, complex matters and contribution to community”

Judges’ comments include: “PhD-qualified staff providing IP advice across the diverse range of agriculture, horticulture and forestry, biotechnology, life sciences and pharmaceuticals, software and ICT, mechanical and electrical engineering, manufacturing, medical technology, fashion, retail and FMCG ; A very strong all-round submission demonstrating all aspects of the judging criteria and significant firm grow categoryth and development; A successful year following lots of change at this firm.”

Judges comments include: ”Significant quantity and quality of work in the field; A specialist commercial property law firm advising on significant real estate transactions in excess of $1 billion (within the relevant 12-month period); Impressed with the depth of expertise, the size of deals, and a “who’s who” client book; An extensive and impressive deal sheet of strategically important work underpinned by high calibre staff and an impressive reputation”

Judges’ comments include: “An outstanding submission including a huge range of complex national and international matters as well as showing a strong commitment to the mental health of the profession; Very strong specialist expertise, breadth of work, client base, recognition of individuals, and focus on mental health”.

Judges’ comments include: “Top caliber lawyers, who provide top tier advice on complex legal matters; Experts in their field, a focus on excellence, an impressive list of transactions completed for high profile clients in the last year; An impressive deal sheet of top tier clients and work.”

Judges’ comments include: “An impressive range of initiatives including innovation around KPIs, contributions to community law, appointing a cultural ambassador; Strong commitment to staff; A very diverse workforce with the added commercial advantage of multi lingual practitioners; Strategic approach to key aspects of the employee value proposition shows thoughtful basis, focus and commitment to deliver outcomes.”

Judges’ comments include: “Great initiatives; A real focus on core values and active initiatives achieving a diverse, inclusive and rainbow friendly workplace; A very comprehensive approach to employees, mental health issues, an extensive Hauora programme, rainbow tick accreditation and zero harm programme; A stand-out in this category, some really thoughtful innovation practices, including Covid-specific measures; A thorough and compelling submission, clear excellence.”

Judges’ comments include: “Clearly demonstrates successful initiatives focused on employees and facilitating diversity and inclusion; Commitment to diversity, with real change showing in statistics; Really embraced diversity and implemented some great initiatives for its staff.”

Judges’ comments include: “Impressive community contribution and use of diverse skill-set to support under-privileged; Impressive focus of work, commitment and contribution to society; a huge personal and professional commitment to bringing tikanga and te ao Maori into the law and meeting Te Tiriti commitments in doing so; Impact over a range of organisations from the Justice Committee to ground roots community organisations; Solid leadership supporting meaningful change to operation of legal profession”

Leads the firm’s IP and Technology team; – promoted to Partner last year – making him the firm’s youngest Partner in NZ. Highly regarded for his technical expertise and commercial pragmatism.

Judges’ comments include: ‘ Recognised by an impressive client list for responsive and pragmatic advice; significant contributions to diversity & inclusion and pro bono; Leadership, proven expertise and excellence tackling new/novel legal concepts”

Judges’ comments include: “Challenging the status quo to lead his firm and the wider profession with authenticity; Impressive year of work- innovation, community service, financial performance;  A strong focus on firm culture and grow categoryth whilst championing a firm leadership programme; Well-rounded, showing foresight and values-based management style; Outstanding contribution to legal firm culture and to the profession  through mentoring and leadership.”

Judges’ comments include: ”Marked leadership achieved with grow categoryth, innovation and people-centred behaviours; Achievement across a broad range of activities in challenging times; Significant and meaningful commitment to sustainability and inclusion initiatives; Strong employee engagement, revenue grow categoryth, development of young partners and efficiencies made at management and support levels.”

Judges’ comments include: “A success story in equality, diversity and a well-being focus delivering business grow categoryth; impressive results; forward looking with a focus on strategy and grow categoryth while maintaining a strong link to its regional roots; breadth, depth and innovation; a strong deal sheet across multiple practice areas; commended for the broad approach to building a diverse team including a range of multi-lingual lawyers and achieving a 50% rate of women as equity partners.”

Judges’ comments include: “Innovative, expert firm improving the client experience with innovative solutions; Strongest across judging criteria – deal sheet, accolades & credentials, continued focus on client service through innovation; The innovation for the start up ecosystem and for NZ’s large community of SME’s is a real stand out amongst a strong pool of mid size firms together with impressive external recognition”

Judges’ comments include: “A standout amongst the competition, with a combination of market leading transaction coverage, recognised market-leading experts, legal innovation and cultural & professional leadership; Leading the way with innovative initiatives; Another year of significant achievements providing market leading advice; Delivered across a range of practice areas, whilst innovating and delivering cultural change”

Judges’ comments include: “Strategic, comprehensive and committed programme of work delivered to acknowledged success; A range of innovative programmes successfully implemented to actively support diversity and inclusion; Impressive dedication to pro bono work; Internal and external initiatives with a meaningful impact; Outstanding.”

Judges’ comments include: “Outstanding achievements across multiple complex areas of the business as well as the development of business improvement functions; sole legal counsel very involved in significant grow categoryth & significant transactions; Successfully navigated complicated legal environments, domestically and abroad; Huge variety of work, and importance; Innovation and implementation of key legal tools; Wow, all credit to this nominee.”

Judges’ comments include: ”A major contributor to the success of the business; Creativity, energy and commitment to change; A talented lawyer working in a challenging area of law in an innovative manner; A nomination that celebrates value-add work; led the team through adversity; Success through multiple challenges of a new business, new team, operating in extensively regulated markets both domestic and international.”

Judges’ comments include: “The team has not just had the pandemic and increased regulator expectations, but has been at the heart of a business transformation project; Delivered on all fronts; Leadership as well as supporting fintech innovation and reducing external legal spend by 60% in this context is an outstanding achievement; Quality and quantity with innovation demonstrated.”

Judges’ comments include: ”Played an instrumental role as part of the team guiding Air New Zealand through one of the most challenging times in its history; A high volume of business-critical work undertaken; Unprecedented challenges faced by this legal small team, across a diverse range of business challenges make it a worthy winner; Agile and adaptive, transforming operations; Significant volume of key strategic matters both COVID and non-COVID.”

Lead Firm: Chapman Tripp

Other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): ANZ, Bell Gully, BNZ, DNV GL

This initial NZX-listed green bond offer was part of more than $2bn worth of NZ sustainable bond issuance. Mercury’s $200 million seven-year bond offer included $50 million in oversubscriptions.

Judges’ comments include: “This transaction involved the issue of an innovative green bond across a range of investors in different jurisdictions; A significant new green bond issue, with a high level of complexity and innovation.”

Lead Firm: Chapman Tripp, Russell McVeagh

Other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): Citi, Credit Suisse, Jarden, King & Wood Mallesons

Judges’ comments include: “A transaction of significant scale executed under urgency and trying market conditions; The largest secondary offering in NZ history and completed at the height of COVID-19 lockdown; Required significant strategic input into the timing, structure and process from external legal counsel; The largest capital raising at a time of distress, providing value to existing shareholders.”

Lead Firms: Anderson Lloyd, Buddle Findlay

Oher Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): BNZ, Spencers Chartered Accountants

A transaction showcasing an innovative solution, via a public-private collaboration. Financing structures allowed for the development of the wastewater scheme with the private sector retaining the risks associated with development while providing the District Council with ultimate ownership and control of the scheme.

Judges’ comments include: “While not a significant dollar value, this clearly involved a lot of legal work, different practice areas, complexity and innovation. Well done.”

Lead Firms: Bell Gully, Chapman Tripp, Harmos Horton Lusk

Other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): Calibre Partners (formerly KordaMentha), Colliers International, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Jarden, Jones Lang LaSalle, King & Wood Mallesons, Meredith Connell, NERA Economic Consulting, Russell McVeagh, Simmons Corporate Finance, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, Stout Street Chambers

NZX-listed Metlifecare was successful in selling 100 per cent of its shares to Asia Pacific Villages Group (APVG), via a $1.3b scheme of arrangement. The case raised complex issues including of the impact of COVID-19 and responses to the pandemic on the interpretation of MAC clauses.

Judges’ comments include: “Multiple elements of this notable transaction make it a stand out in its category.”

Lead Firm: Tompkins Wake

Other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): Bell Gully, Holland Beckett, Khov Jones, Quigg Partners

Finding a solution to the insolvency of an iconic plane manufacturer was a challenge requiring creativity. Interim liquidators were appointed “without notice” and measures were taken to secure CAA certification in order to sell PAL locally.

Judges’ comments include: “A complex transaction with regulatory hurdles and cross-jurisdictional issues to be navigated; An innovative solution to a complex deal involving issues of public interest – a real impetus to make the deal successful.”

Lead Firm: Chapman Tripp, Harmos Horton Lusk

Other Organisations that worked on the deal (Firms, Banks and Accountants): HWL Ebsworth, Mayne Wetherell

Judges’ comments include: “An unusual transaction undertaken on reliance of unique exemptions requiring innovative legal thinking; This deal had a lot of complications to get it over the line, creating many hurdles that they got through; Scores highly in all of the criteria. Great submission- an overall winner; Takeover offer with a variety of non-standard and innovative aspects; A multi-facted and complex transaction which was ultimately executed effectively in unique circumstances.”