Jennifer is a highly experienced competition and consumer lawyer, with a particular specialty in merger clearances, enforcement actions, and disputes.
She advises on the full suite of competition and consumer law issues, including merger clearances, authorisations, cartels, leniency applications, and collaborative activities. Jennifer acts for clients on Commerce Act and Fair Trading Act (FTA) investigations and enforcement actions. She also advises on issues under the Commerce Act and FTA arising from contractual terms and practices, and on advertising and promotions.
Jennifer has extensive experience as a commercial litigator and has represented commercial and government clients on competition and consumer law actions, and commercial disputes, in all levels of the New Zealand courts. She also has significant experience in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes, including expert determinations, arbitrations, and mediation.
Ranked as a Rising Star by esteemed legal directory The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Jennifer is sought after for her clear thinking, commercial approach, and astute strategy setting. She provides practical solutions to enable clients to achieve their desired outcomes.
Jennifer returned to MinterEllisonRuddWatts in 2016 after almost 10 years in Australia where she worked in the competition teams at King & Wood Mallesons, Baker McKenzie, and Webb Henderson. During her time in Australia, Jennifer acted on many high-profile competition enforcement actions, mergers, and other regulatory matters. She was also seconded to in-house roles with Lion and Sportsbet. Jennifer draws on this in-house experience to provide commercial and pragmatic advice to her clients.
Career highlights
Acting for Assa Abloy New Zealand Limited in relation to its successful application to the Commerce Commission for clearance of its proposed acquisition of NZ Fire Doors Limited.
Advising commercial clients on Commerce Commission investigations and enforcement actions, including in relation to allegations of cartel conduct and breaches of the Fair Trading Act.
Acting for Research and Education Advanced Network New Zealand (REANNZ) in its successful appeal of an Commerce Commission determination that REANNZ was a ‘liable person’ for the purposes of the Telecommunications Development Levy under the Telecommunications Act.
Acting for Spark on its successful application to strike out a claim brought by Blue Reach alleging misleading conduct under the Fair Trading Act in an application to the Commerce Commission for clearance to acquire radio spectrum.
Representing Synlait Milk Limited in its appeal to the Supreme Court seeking removal of restrictive land covenants on the land on which it had built its new $280 million infant formula plant.
Affiliations
- Associate Member, Competition Law and Policy Institute of New Zealand (CLPINZ)
Achievements and recognition
- Recognised, Competition Law , Chambers Asia-Pacific
- Next Generation Partner, Competition Law, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
- Tier 1 team, Competition Law, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
- Recognised, Telecommunications Media & Technology: Telecoms and Media, Who's Who Legal
- Recognised, Competition and Consumer Law, Best Lawyers