Top law firm, MinterEllisonRuddWatts, was recognised for its outstanding M&A dealmaking at the prestigious annual New Zealand Law Awards last night.
The firm’s ability to broker the most complex of commercial deals was recognised with the firm winning M&A Deal of the Year for advising the Crown in buying back the shares in Kiwi Group Holdings Limited (Kiwibank’s parent company), from New Zealand Post, the NZ Superannuation Fund and ACC.
Judges commented on the deal’s complexity due to regulatory requirements, requiring strong innovative responses needing to be implemented across multiple regulatory areas.
The MinterEllisonRuddWatts cross-specialty team was headed by Partner Chris O’Brien who led the negotiations, with Senior Associate Adrianne Reid providing specialist advice on public law and banking and financial services regulatory matters, with assistance from Senior Solicitor Vivien Liu. Partner Rodney Craig and Senior Associate Liz Rowe led the legal due diligence process, aided by Solicitor Ethan McAuliffe. Specialist tax advice was provided by Partner Andrew Ryan.
MinterEllisonRuddWatts’ Chief Executive, Andrew Poole said: “We’re delighted to be recognised for delivering technically excellent and innovative solutions for our clients on some of New Zealand’s most significant deals.
“As a firm, we consistently challenge ourselves to create and deliver the best value for our clients, supporting them to help shape New Zealand’s future.”
The firm also received excellence awards for:
- Debt Market Deal of the Year: Senior Debt for Tourism Holdings Ltd as part of merger with Apollo Tourism and Leisure
- M&A Deal of the Year: Acquisition of Partners Life by Dai-ichi Life; and The Treasury’s NZD2 billion plus Kiwibank buy back
- Insolvency and Restructuring Deal of the Year: Financial Restructuring and recapitalisation of Kurow Duntroon Irrigation Co.; and Receivership of Optic Security Group Limited and related Sale of Subsidiary
- Equity Market Deal of the Year: Futureverse roll-up and Series A capital raise
- Mid-Market Deal of the Year: Acquisition of The Better Health Company by Nestlé New Zealand; and Next Capital sale of New Zealand's largest urban bus operator to Kinetic NZ Holdings
The New Zealand Law Awards celebrate excellence within the legal profession, recognising outstanding achievements advising on the country’s largest and most complex deals, commitment to delivering excellent client service, and leading legal expertise.
A full list of the award winners is available here.
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