Hesketh Henry has reaffirmed its position as one of New Zealand’s leading law firms, following impressive results in the latest Legal500 rankings. The firm continues to achieve high rankings across key practice areas, reflecting its sector-focused expertise and commitment to excellence. Several team members have also received individual recognition for their outstanding contributions.
Transport
The transport team remains a market leader, with Simon Cartwright again ranked as a Leading Individual. This year, Colin Hunter earns recognition as a Leading Associate. The team advises on both disputes and transactional matters, with clients praising their “unparalleled knowledge of all aspects of shipping, from the ‘dry’ contract side to the ‘wet’ casualty side.”
Construction
The construction team maintains its strong ranking, with Nick Gillies once again named a Leading Individual. This year, Helen Macfarlane also joins the ranks as a Leading Individual, underscoring the team’s depth of expertise. Clients describe the team as “smart, practical but strategic – great combination.”
Employment
The employment practice earns praise for being “well organised, knowledgeable, responsive and pragmatic.” Jim Roberts continues to stand out, retaining his status as a Leading Individual in this area.
Insurance
The insurance team is commended for its specialist knowledge, with clients noting:
“Insurance is a specialist field which the Hesketh Henry team understands brilliantly” and “They are extremely knowledgeable and have excellent ways to look at problems to get results.”
Corporate and M&A
The corporate and commercial team is lauded for combining strong legal knowledge with pragmatic solutions. Erich Bachmann is celebrated in the Hall of Fame, while Julika Wahlmann-Smith is recognised as a Next Generation Partner. Clients highlight the team’s approach: “The team is very proficient and maintains a very customer-centric approach. The partners are very approachable and easy to deal with. They always have the bigger picture in mind and are super helpful to get things done on time and under pressure.”
Dispute Resolution
The disputes team moves up in the rankings this year, reflecting its ability to handle some of New Zealand’s most significant litigation while maintaining expertise across multiple sectors. Legal500 notes that the team’s structure enables it to deliver exceptional results in complex cases.
Property
The property team’s expertise and commitment to excellence have once again been acknowledged, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted advisor in this space.
Managing Partner comment
“These rankings are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our specialist teams. We are proud to see our people and our practice areas recognised for consistently delivering outstanding results for clients,” said Nick Gillies
Click here for the firm’s Legal500 2026 rankings along with further client testimonials.
