Max McMahon

Senior Associate Pouarataki Pāhake


Max is a corporate and commercial lawyer, with experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), corporate advisory, capital raising and commercial contracting matters.

Max assists New Zealand and international corporates as well as public sector clients to structure, manage and undertake complex domestic and cross-border transactions.

Max’s clients also include a number of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and small privately owned businesses, for which Max regularly assists with capital raising and restructuring matters.

Max is experienced in managing large legal due diligence reviews, as well as in drafting and negotiating asset and share sale agreements, subscription agreements and employee share scheme documentation.

Max is a pragmatic advisor with a keen attention to detail and excellent project management skills, and is committed to finding the best commercial solutions for his clients while ensuring commercial and legal risks are appropriately managed.

Career highlights

Advising Tokyo-listed global insurer Dai-ichi Life on its circa NZD 1 billion acquisition of 100% of the shares in Partners Life, Blackstone was the largest shareholder (52.57%).

Advising Data Torque, a technology solutions business specialising in the provisioning of public revenue systems, in respect of Simplicity’s minority stake investment in the business.

Assisting industry leader in geothermal simulation software, Flow State Solutions, with the sale of its business to Seequent, The Bentley Subsurface Company.

Assisting Z throughout the divestment process of its non-core business units, including providing strategic advice before 'going to market', managing due diligence, as well as drafting and finalising the sale and purchase agreements.

Advising Alpine Energy on the sale of the New Zealand business of Infratec Limited to WEL Networks Limited, a company which specialises in the design, construction and installation of renewable power systems.

Advising AMP Capital Investors on the purchase of a 70% stake in the Wiri prison public private partnership (PPP).

Advising a number of high growth companies on the establishment, operation and restructuring of their employee share ownership arrangements.

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