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Hesketh Henry has received the following recommendations and commentary in the high profile Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018 directory. Please click here for more information
Corporate and M&A
Auckland firm Hesketh Henry ‘provides a very high-quality service and has in-depth knowledge and experience and an outstanding reputation’. Managing partner Erich Bachmann ‘leads the business and stands out for his knowledge, experience, tact and diplomacy’. Bachmann and senior associate Julika Wahlmann-Smith, who is known for her ‘expertise, attention to detail and outstanding service’, advised Mataura Valley Milk on an investment from China Animal Husbandry Group and the development of a NZ$200m dairy plant. Also recommended are Kate Telford, who advised National Aluminium Limited on a joint venture, and Chris Lee, who acted for Davines in the negotiation of distribution agreements. The firm also counts AA Insurance Limited, AIG, Allied Mills and Independent Timber Merchants Co-operative Limited among its clients.
Julika Wahlmann-Smith noted as a “Next Generation Lawyer”
Labour and Employment
It has ‘a strong, well-led and high-performing team’, say clients of Hesketh Henry, where ‘the advice is sound, realistic and consistent’. Clients also appreciate the ‘depth of thinking and analysis, and the good value for money’, noting that ‘the firm has a very good understanding of foreign-owned businesses’. It advises public and private entities in sectors including manufacturing, aviation, marine, dairy, communications, utilities and professional services. Its clients include Restaurant Association of New Zealand and Kia Motors. Jim Roberts has ‘in-depth knowledge and provides clear and practical advice’. The team also advises the Corrections Association of New Zealand, which represents 2,500 prison officers and other employees, on collective bargaining, disputes, personal grievances, and health and safety matters. ‘Very responsive and exceptionally client-focused’ special counsel Alison Maelzer and ‘efficient and friendly’ senior associate Jodi Sharman are recommended.
Insurance
They go beyond simple answers and you can really trust their advice’, say clients of Auckland firm Hesketh Henry, which has an insurance litigation team that acts for domestic and international insurers such as AIG and Dual. The ‘very experienced and knowledgeable’ Brett Morley ‘resolves issues quickly and effectively’ and co-leads the team with experienced litigator Alan Sherlock, who has a strong focus on maritime and insurance law. Partners Nick Gillies, Simon Cartwright and Christina Bryant are also recommended. The team is defending Vero and AA Insurance in High Court Earthquake List matters, including a NZ$3m claim. A further highlight saw the firm advise Vero in a High Court test case that raises questions around the scope of a private insurer’s obligations to credit hire companies, including the extent to which the insurer of the at-fault driver in a motor vehicle accident will be liable to pay the costs associated with the innocent party obtaining a replacement vehicle.
Real Estate and Construction
Hesketh Henry in Auckland is ‘a very good firm with experts who are both service- and solution-oriented’. It has a prominent construction practice and a real estate team that acts for both local and international investors, developers and landowners. Construction expert Christina Bryant provides ‘great practical advice tailored to clients’ businesses’. She advised subcontractor Complete Siteworks on a high-profile dispute with contractor Watts & Hughes arising from the reconstruction of a car park after the Canterbury earthquakes. ‘Sharp, commercial and strategic’ special counsel Helen Macfarlane is ‘an exceptionally smart litigator, who can apply her knowledge to a variety of challenging matters’. She advised Davis Langdon New Zealand on proceedings initiated by apartment owners in the St Luke’s Gardens complex, who alleged structural defects with the buildings. Real estate heads Brian Coburn and Robert Berry ‘balance intellectual acumen with commercial and strategic pragmatism’.
Transport (Rail, Road, Air and Sea)
Auckland firm Hesketh Henry advises businesses in the maritime, logistics and commodities sectors on employment, health and safety, property, insurance, corporate matters and dispute resolution. Its client base comprises vessel owners and operators, logistics companies, ship repairers, shipbrokers, port agents, service providers, and P&I clubs and marine insurers. The team is led by Alan Sherlock, who is also head of litigation, and lateral hire Simon Cartwright, who joined from international law firm HFW and advises on international disputes and transactions under English law. Nick Gillies is also recommended. Cartwright is currently advising a UAE-based offshore support vessel operator on a dispute with a Norwegian OSV owner. He is also advising Charterers P&I Club and its insured, which is a log trader and exporter, on the Ministry of Primary Industries’ decision to reject the vessel DL Marigold from New Zealand waters due to biosecurity concerns.
Alan Sherlock noted as a ‘Leading Lawyer’
