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Max McMahon

Max McMahon

Senior Associate Pouarataki Pāhake

Max is a corporate and commercial lawyer with experience advising New Zealand and international businesses, investors and public sector organisations on mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings, joint ventures, shareholder arrangements and a broad range of corporate matters. He works with clients on acquisitions, divestments, business sales, investments and other strategic transactions, helping them navigate legal and commercial issues from structuring and due diligence through to negotiation, regulatory approvals and completion.

He supports clients on the governance, ownership and commercial matters that arise throughout the business lifecycle, whether they are pursuing growth, raising capital, restructuring ownership arrangements or preparing for a business sale. Working closely with clients and colleagues, he helps identify key risks, assess options and progress matters efficiently.

Max has experience advising on domestic and cross-border transactions across a range of sectors. He assists with transaction structuring, legal due diligence, Overseas Investment Office approval processes and warranty and indemnity insurance arrangements. He also advises on joint ventures, shareholder agreements, corporate governance and commercial contracting matters, providing practical support on ownership, governance and day-to-day business needs.

A significant part of Max's practice involves advising small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), privately owned businesses and high-growth companies. He regularly assists with corporate structuring, capital raisings, shareholder arrangements, employee share schemes and company administration matters. He understands the challenges business owners face when raising capital, preparing for a sale or managing changes in ownership, and provides practical advice aligned with their commercial objectives.

Max also has particular experience in the energy sector, having supported clients on acquisitions, divestments, investments and strategic projects involving electricity, renewable energy and infrastructure businesses. His experience includes assisting with significant transaction and investment programmes for clients such as Z Energy and Alpine Energy, providing insight into the commercial and regulatory issues that commonly arise in the sector.

Known for his pragmatic approach and attention to detail, Max works collaboratively with clients, colleagues and other advisers to manage transactions and resolve issues as they arise. He combines strong drafting, project management and communication skills with a practical understanding of commercial priorities, helping clients make informed decisions and move matters forward with confidence.

Career highlights

Advised Tokyo-listed global insurer Dai-ichi Life on its circa NZD 1 billion acquisition of Partners Life. Supported a significant cross-border acquisition involving regulatory approvals and warranty and indemnity insurance arrangements as part of one of New Zealand's largest insurance sector transactions.

Advised Flick, Z Energy and Ampol on the sale of Flick's retail electricity business to Meridian Energy. Supported a complex energy sector divestment involving multiple stakeholders, significant commercial arrangements and the transfer of a large customer base.

Advised Quayside on the merger of PF Olsen and Forest360, which resulted in the establishment of one of Australasia’s largest forestry management companies. Supported Quayside on all aspects of the merger, including governance, shareholder and transaction structuring matters.

Advised 4RF Limited and Fortissimo Capital on the sale of 4RF, a provider in industrial wireless access solutions for critical infrastructure applications, to NASDAQ listed Aviat Networks, Inc. Supported all aspects of a complex transaction including the coordination of advisers in multiple jurisdictions, the establishment of escrow accounts, warranty and indemnity insurance arrangements and the wind up of incentive schemes.

Advised a regional fibre network operator on the acquisition of HFC and fibre network assets in New Zealand. Supported a significant infrastructure transaction designed to consolidate network operations while addressing integration, operational continuity and regulatory considerations.

Advised Alpine Energy on the separation of Infratec's New Zealand and Pacific operations and the subsequent sale of the New Zealand business to WEL Networks. Supported a strategically significant transaction involving corporate structuring and renewable energy infrastructure assets.

Advised Flow State Solutions and Fafnir on the sale of Flow State Solutions to Seequent. Supported a technology sector acquisition that brought together complementary software platforms and positioned the business for continued growth and development.

Achievements and recognition
  • Tier 1 team, Corporate and M&A, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
  • Recognised team, Corporate M&A, Chambers Asia-Pacific