Russell McVeagh partners Mei Fern Johnson and Troy Pilkington have been recognised for their exceptional work and client service, receiving Lexology Client Choice Awards for a sixth year.
Both partners have been named the Exclusive New Zealand Winner in their respective fields: M&A and Competition Law. These awards are unique in that nominations come directly from clients, with criteria focused on a lawyer’s ability to deliver real value to clients beyond what others in the market provide.
Mei Fern Johnson, M&A Client Choice Award Winner, New Zealand
Clients describe Mei Fern as:
- "Always available and offers great, strategic advice."
- "A trusted adviser in every sense of the word."
- "An excellent listener who takes a very calm, considered approach to working through any areas."
With more than 25 years’ experience, Mei Fern advises private and public sector clients on mergers and acquisitions and complex commercial contracting. Her expertise spans the energy (including renewable energy and oil and gas), infrastructure, technology, and transport sectors. She regularly advises on foreign inbound investments and divestments, joint ventures, significant outsourcing contracts (including government contracting), and the introduction of new technologies.
Mei Fern is highly experienced in stakeholder management, having worked on numerous high-profile and sensitive projects. She provides expert guidance on major procurement and tendering processes, including government tenders and unsolicited proposals.
Clients recognise Mei Fern for her broad experience, commerciality and strategic thinking for long-term outcomes, exceptional technical skills and personable approach.
Troy Pilkington, Competition Client Choice Award Winner, New Zealand
Clients praised Troy through the independent research process, with feedback including:
- "Troy is an excellent competition lawyer."
- "He is very solid and intelligent."
- "Troy does great work and has a good client-base."
Troy is one of New Zealand’s best regarded experts in competition (antitrust), consumer, overseas investment (FDI), and regulatory law. He has acted in many of the country’s most high-profile matters involving the Commerce Commission, including merger and acquisition approval processes (formal and informal clearance); competition and consumer law investigations and proceedings (including in relation to cartel conduct, misuse of market power, exclusive dealing, and misleading or deceptive conduct); market studies in sectors such as grocery, banking, fuel and building products; and restrictive trade practices authorisations.
Clients value Troy for his astute and commercial advice, high responsiveness and engaging manner, deep experience in dealing with the Commerce Commission, and his consistent delivery of quality outcomes.