Overview
We can assist clients based in Japan with doing business in New Zealand and others looking to engage with counterparties based in Japan.
We are a leading New Zealand corporate law firm, offering comprehensive legal services to both public and private companies on a full range of corporate and commercial issues and transactions.
Our clients include national and multinational corporations, private equity and venture capital funds, banks and financial institutions, state-owned enterprises, government departments, and local and other statutory authorities.
Our team has considerable experience in assisting Japanese investors on financing, negotiating, structuring and securing regulatory approvals for transactions. In particular, we have extensive experience in advising foreign investors on Overseas Investment Office consent requirements, and assisting with transactions that involve acquisitions of sensitive land and business assets in a range of industries. We also have experience assisting clients in transactions involving the sale of their businesses to Japanese purchasers and the establishment of their operations in Japan.
We take a strong interest in developing meaningful long-term relationships with clients and understanding their perspective and - appreciate that business is not approached in exactly the same way all over the world. We count among our lawyers people who have been immersed in Japanese culture through living, studying and working in Japan.
As a leading New Zealand law firm we also have strong working relationships with law firms in Asia, Australia, Canada, Singapore, the United States of America and the United Kingdom, to assist with delivering effective solutions to our clients.
Download our guide to 'Doing Business in New Zealand' here.
“Excellent technical skills, always client focused, but sound advice that I can rely on.”
Asialaw Profiles
“They have excellent partners who are flexible and responsive, who understand our business and what we require.”
Asialaw Profiles
"They're considered, experienced and they've got nice style; they're quick to the issues and consistent."
Chambers and Partners
Experience
International
Work highlights
Advising Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ)
on its joint acquisition with Oji Paper of Carter Holt Harvey's pulp, paper and packaging business for NZ$1b
Advising Suntory
on its NZ$1.4b acquisition of Frucor Beverages
Advising Daiken and ITOCHU
on their acquisition of Carter Holt Harvey's Rangiora MDF Plant
Advising ITOCHU
on other significant potential transactions
Advising Toyota
on a wide range of legal issues relating to its business in New Zealand
Advising Allpress Espresso
on the establishment of its coffee roasting and wholesale distribution business in Japan
Our team
David Thomson
Partner, Auckland
David specialises in corporate and commercial law with considerable experience in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures…
- DDI +64 9 363 0750
- M +64 21 668 593
Grant Dunn
Partner, Auckland
Grant specialises in corporate and commercial law and has over 20 years experience. He previously spent six years with the London…
- DDI +64 9 363 0636
- M +64 21 888 812
Hak Jun Lee
Partner, Auckland
Hak Jun specialises in banking and financial services and has extensive experience in property law and overseas investment…
- DDI +64 9 363 0689
- M +64 27 454 1328
Lisette Hood
Partner, Auckland
Lisette specialises in corporate and commercial law, with particular emphasis on commercial contracting, corporate governance and merge…
- DDI +64 9 358 7037
- M +64 27 220 5123
Nick Bragg
Partner, Auckland
Nick specialises in corporate and commercial law with considerable experience across a broad range of mergers and acquisitions…
- DDI +64 9 363 0769
- M +64 21 818 142
Susie Kilty
Partner, Wellington
Susie specialises in competition, fair trading, overseas investment consents and economic regulation, particularly of infrastructure in…
- DDI +64 4 498 7356
- M +64 21 792 134
Terence Ng
Partner, Auckland
Terence specialises in banking and finance, corporate and commercial, and property law…
- DDI +64 9 363 0688
- M +64 21 281 2688