Russell McVeagh named NZ Large Law Firm of the Year

Russell McVeagh has scooped five of the top awards at the 2023 NZ Law Awards held at the Cordis in Auckland last night, including:

• New Zealand Large Law Firm of the Year;

• New Zealand Law Firm Leader of the Year (>100 Lawyers) for Board Chair and partner Allison Arthur-Young;

• Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (35 and under) for Competition partner Bradley Aburn; 

• Equity Market Deal of the Year, where Corporate partner David Raudkivi acted for the underwriters of Air New Zealand's $1.2 billion capital raise, the key pillar of the airline's broader NZ$2.2 billion re-capitalisation; and

• Mid-Market Deal of the Year for the sale of Trustpower retail business to Mercury Energy led by Corporate partner Joe Windmeyer.

"We are deeply honoured to be recognised across so many important areas in this year's awards. I am immensely proud of the team for their commitment to our firm and their hard mahi in delivering exceptional results for our clients," Russell McVeagh CEO Jo Avenell said. "A special congratulations and massive thank you to our Board Chair and partner Allison Arthur-Young for her leadership and dedication to supporting our people and clients."

Large Law Firm of the Year

This award recognises expertise across a range of practice areas, and for Russell McVeagh this includes transactions for major corporates, Government projects of national significance, and key infrastructure projects to help shape New Zealand. Judges' comments included:

• "Expertise across a range of practices and an impressive list of projects";
• " The D&I strategy refresh deserves special recognition";
• "A serious investment in people and culture"; and
• "The firm continues to execute quality work."
   

Law Firm Leader of the Year (>100 lawyers) – Allison Arthur-Young

Russell McVeagh Board Chair and Environment, Planning and Natural Resources partner Allison Arthur-Young was recognised as the Law Firm Leader of the Year (>100 Lawyers) for her outstanding performance and achievements leading the firm.

Allison is dedicated to providing the best possible experience for Russell McVeagh's people and ensuring culture is at the heart of the firm's strategic priorities and business plans. She played a pivotal role in Russell McVeagh's refreshed D&I and culture strategies and led Russell McVeagh's response in providing support to communities and staff during and in the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Gabrielle and Auckland Floods.

Judges' comment included: "Compassionate leader with a number of important focuses and the accolades and testimonials as well as the awards that Alison has received is a testament of her leadership qualities and skills." 

Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year (under 35) – Bradley Aburn

Russell McVeagh Government, Competition and Regulation partner Bradley Aburn has been named Young Private Practice Lawyer of the Year in recognition of the quantity, quality, importance and innovativeness of his work. As the firm's youngest partner, Bradley is a standout lawyer who has extensive experience in advising a number of high-profile clients on significant matters relating to mergers and acquisitions, competition law investigations, market studies, competitor collaborations and partnering, syndication, internal competition and consumer law compliance programmes, and other regulatory issues (including electricity regulation).

Judges' comment included: "A demonstrated commitment to the law and the institutions that surround it. Surely a long and illustrious career lies ahead."

Equity Market Deal of the Year: $2.2 billion re-capitalisation of Air New Zealand

Corporate partner David Raudkivi acted for the underwriters of Air New Zealand's $1.2 billion capital raise, the largest underwritten secondary offer by an NZX-listed company and the key pillar of the airline's broader NZ$2.2 billion re-capitalisation to position the airline for recovery and fuel its next stage of growth.  

Judges' comments included: "A novel, impressive, complex deal with many facets to manage, undertaken in uncertain market conditions."

Mid-Market Deal of the Year: Sale of Trustpower retail business to Mercury Energy

Led by Corporate partner Joe Windmeyer, Russell McVeagh advised on the NZ$441 million sale of Trustpower to Mercury Energy, which involved a competitive auction for Trustpower's retail business involving the supply of electricity, gas, telecommunications and internet to circa 240,000 customers.

Judges' comments included: "A transaction that had it all for the legal advisers to manage and negotiate their way through." 
 
Russell McVeagh would like to acknowledge our clients and alumni who also won awards across a number of in-house categories including:

• Jason Nichols, General Counsel, Fonterra Co-operative Group, winner of the In-House Lawyer of the Year 2023 award;

• Claude Smith, Senior Legal Counsel, Meridian Energy, winner of the Young In-House Lawyer of the Year (35 or under) award;

• Meridian Energy legal team, winner of the Energy In-House Team of the Year award; and

• IAG Legal team, winner of the Financial Services In-House Team of the Year award.

Well done to all the winners and finalists – a full list of winners is available here. Russell McVeagh was further recognised with Excellence Awards across nine additional categories last night, including for Employer of Choice (>100 lawyers) and D&I Initiative of the Year, and across five Deal of the Year categories.

These awards follow Russell McVeagh being named New Zealand Law Firm of the Year at the Chambers Asia-Pacific Awards 2023, New Zealand Firm of the Year and Pro Bono National Firm of the Year at the Women in Business Law Awards APAC 2023, and a 5-Star Employer of Choice 2023 by NZ Lawyer.