41 Russell McVeagh lawyers named New Zealand's Best Lawyers®

_{(Above L-R: Bevan Peachey, Daniel Minhinnick, Mei Fern Johnson, Matthew Kersey, Deemple Budhia, John Powell and David Butler.)}

41 of our talented lawyers have been recognised as New Zealand's most influential and effective lawyers by Best Lawyers® 2023 Guide, determined purely by peer review.

Seven highly respected Russell McVeagh lawyers were awarded 'Lawyer of the Year' in their specialist areas – reflecting the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region, including partners John Powell (Banking and Finance Law), Deemple Budhia (Structured Finance Law, for the second year in a row), Matthew Kersey (Insolvency and Reorganization Law), Mei Fern Johnson (Energy Law, who was also recognised for Corporate Law last year), Daniel Minhinnick (Planning Law), David Butler (Real Estate Law), and special counsel Bevan Peachey (Project Finance and Development Practice Law).

A number of our partners were recognised for the first time in the Guide including Greg Neill (Tax Law), Nathaniel Walker (Litigation, Insurance, Financial Institutions Law), Simon Pilkinton (Land Use and Zoning Law), and Jesse Fairley (Banking and Finance Law), and senior associate Ling Yan Pang recognised for Structured Finance Law.

Overall, 41 Russell McVeagh lawyers were recognised - the largest number featured in the Guide to date, including:

• Allison Arthur-Young (Land Use and Zoning Law);

• Anna Crosbie (Real Estate Law);

• Ben Paterson (Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Equity Law);

• Bevan Peachey (Banking and Finance Law, Project Finance and Development Practice);

• Brigette Shone (Intellectual Property Law);

• Cath Shirley-Brown (Mergers and Acquisitions Law);

• Chris Curran (Government Practice, Litigation);

• Craig Shrive (Government Relations Practice, Public Law, Regulatory Practice);

• Dan Jones (Agriculture and Rural Affairs Practice, Capital Markets Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Equity Law);

• Daniel Minhinnick (Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Natural Resources Law, Planning Law);

• David Butler (Real Estate Law);

• David Hoare (Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Equity Law);

• David Raudkivi (Capital Markets Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Equity Law);

• David Weavers (Banking and Finance Law, Structured Finance Law);

• Deemple Budhia (Banking and Finance Law, Capital Markets Law, Debt & Equity Practice, Structured Finance Law);

• Emmeline Rushbrook (Regulatory Practice);

• Ed Crook (Real Estate Law);

• Fred Ward (Tax Law);

• Greg Neill (Tax Law);

• Guy Lethbridge (Banking and Finance Law, Capital Markets Law);

• Ian Beaumont (Capital Markets Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law);

• Jesse Fairley (Banking and Finance Law);

• Joe Edwards (Advertising Law, Intellectual Property Law, Litigation, Media Law, Privacy and Data Security Law);

• Joe Windmeyer (Capital Markets Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Equity Law, Energy Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice);

• John Powell (Banking and Finance Law, Leveraged Buyouts);

• Kirsten Massey (Insolvency and Reorganization Law);

• Kylie Dunn (Litigation, Labour and Employment Law);

• Ling Yan Pang (Structured Finance Law);

• Malcolm Crotty (Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation, Labour and Employment Law); 

• Marika Eastwick-Field (Litigation);

• Matthew Kersey (Corporate Law, Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation);

• Mei Fern Johnson (Corporate Law, Energy Law);

• Michael Taylor (Arbitration and Mediation, Litigation);

• Nathaniel Walker (Financial Institutions, Insurance Law, Litigation);

• Pat Bowler (Consultant) (Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Oil and Gas Law);

• Polly Pope (Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation);

• Simon Pilkinton (Land Use and Zoning Law);

• Tim Clarke (Government Practice, Public Law);

• Tom Hunt (Banking and Finance Law, Capital Markets Law, Derivatives);

• Troy Pilkington (Competition and Consumer Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Litigation); and

• Will Irving (Arbitration and Mediation, Litigation).

Russell McVeagh Board Chair Allison Arthur-Young commented, "We're delighted to receive this top feedback from our peers, reflecting our significant reputation within the New Zealand market and the breadth of our expertise."

CEO Jo Avenell says, "It's fantastic to see the efforts of our dedicated and hardworking team recognised across the firm, with 41 of our firm's lawyers named this year. A special congratulations to our seven lawyers named 'Lawyer of the Year' in their specialist areas, and those recognised for the first time."