Special Counsel, Auckland

Lara Wood

Lara Wood

Profile

Lara has a wide range of domestic and international banking, financial services and corporate experience.  She specialises in funds management, financial product design and regulatory advice relating to financial services, products and markets.  She frequently advises financial institutions, regulators, other financial service providers and FinTech enterprises.

Prior to re-joining Buddle Findlay, Lara worked for one of Australia's largest banks based in Sydney and before that she worked at an international law firm based in Sydney.

  • Member of the Banking and Financial Services Law Association (BFSLA)
  • Certified Member of the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand Inc (INFINZ)


Work highlights

Advising Ernst & Young

on all aspects of the administration and then liquidation of a derivatives issuer, including the establishment of a statutory trust upon insolvency

Providing advice to a range of Australian, Chinese, Malaysian, New Zealand and US based financial service providers

in relation to compliance with New Zealand law

Advising BT Financial Group

(owned by Westpac Banking Corporation) on all aspects of superannuation products; platform products (BT, Asgard and Panorama); and wholesale and retail funds offered in Australia and New Zealand managed by BT's fund managers and external fund managers, including advising on legislative changes, claims and complaints, registering offers in New Zealand, and reviewing and amending establishment and disclosure documentation, arrangements with the platform products, and related documentation

Preparing and reviewing board and management papers

in relation to new and existing wealth products for Westpac Banking Corporation and reviewing and updating policy documents for Westpac Banking Corporation for a wide range of banking and wealth obligations including privacy, AML/CFT, Banking Code of Practice, trustee obligations, cash account requirements, and investment fund choice

Advising ANZ

on a range of corporate and regulatory matters

Preparing documentation for, and advising on, registering as a New Zealand Financial Service Provider

and obtaining a New Zealand market service licence or an Australian Financial Services Licence (including reviewing and advising on exemptions, where relevant)



Alternate contacts

Scott Abel

Partner, Auckland

Scott specialises in insolvency and debt restructuring, corporate and secured finance, and specialist personal property security and…

Email Scott Abel

David Perry

Partner, Auckland

David specialises in banking and financial services, and restructuring and insolvency law. He represents banks and financial…

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Peter Owles

Partner, Auckland

Peter is an expert in all aspects of banking and financial services law, with over 30 years' experience…

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