Igor specialises in public mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and securities law. He assists listed companies with their most significant projects as well as their “business as usual” matters.
Igor enjoys working with his clients and other investment professionals to design and provide innovative solutions to achieve their goals. He advises local and foreign clients on public takeovers, initial public offerings (IPOs), public capital raisings, private placements, Overseas Investment Office (OIO) consents, employee share schemes, regulatory investigations, continuous disclosure issues, and listed company matters in general. He is widely regarded as an expert on public M&A, including the application of the Takeovers Code, Overseas Investment Act and Financial Markets legislation.
He has advised some of New Zealand’s largest companies including MediaWorks, Tourism Holdings, Channel Infrastructure, The Warehouse, and NZ Merino, as well as large international clients including CITIC Capital and Brookfield Asset Management.
Working in the capital markets space often requires working with clients in tense, fast paced, and unique situations that call for pragmatic solutions to complex problems. Igor’s ability to deliver for his clients has been independently recognised, being named a ‘rising star’, by both The Legal 500 Asia Pacific directory and in the New Zealand Lawyer Rising Star list for 2020. He is known for his friendly and collaborative approach, with clients saying:
“Igor has impressed me with his maturity and ability to engage and provide advice at a level that exceeds his years of experience. I find him to be a very responsive, pragmatic and solutions focused adviser. He is personable, a pleasure to deal with and someone who I have, and will continue to, recommend to others.”
Igor is the co-author of Duties and Responsibilities of Directors and Company Secretaries in New Zealand (5th ed) and the Morison’s Company Law chapter on Takeovers Law. Igor actively shares his expertise through Auckland District Law Society seminars on securities and corporate law.
Career highlights
Advising Essity Aktiebolag on the New Zealand aspects of its A$788m takeover of ASX listed Asaleo Care, including obtaining OIO consent.
Advising NZX listed Refining NZ on its $48.5 million private placement and share purchase plan to fund private storage services.
Advising NZX and ASX listed Tower Limited on its $30.4 million return of capital to shareholders, which was structured as a court approved scheme of arrangement.
Advising NZ Merino on its capital restructure comprising a constitutional change, a three-stage capital raising (to shareholders, growers and new strategic investors) to support its future growth and financial stability during COVID-19, and a share buy-back aimed at its shareholders that have exited the merino industry.
Part of the team that acted for MediaWorks on its merger with the NZ operations of ASX-listed outdoor advertising company, QMS.
Advising NZX listed Tourism Holdings on its placement of shares to CITIC Capital International Tourism Fund and subsequent underwritten rights offer.
Achievements and recognition
- Rising Star, Corporate and M&A, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
- Band 1 team, Corporate/Commercial, Chambers Asia-Pacific
- Recognised, Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice, Best Lawyers