Independent research confirms Bell Gully's leading position

Independent research by respected international legal publisher Chambers and Partners has confirmed Bell Gully's leading position in the New Zealand legal market.

The influential Chambers Global 2011 guide released in London on Monday ranked more Bell Gully lawyers as leading individuals than any other New Zealand firm.

For the fourth consecutive year, the firm was also the only New Zealand law firm to be ranked globally for its Climate Change work. The individual expertise of partner Simon Watt and senior associate Kate Redgewell (née Radka) in this area was recognised by the guide.

Bell Gully Chairman Roger Partridge said the firm valued the results because the analysis was based on independent research and interviews with clients: "We believe this reflects the commitment our team has to delivering results for clients," he said.

The success follows the firm earlier this month being named International Financial Law Review New Zealand Law Firm of the Year at the annual awards ceremony in Hong Kong. That win represented the seventh time in eight years that Bell Gully has received the prestigious title.

Chambers publishes international guides to the legal profession which identifies and ranks the world's best lawyers according to criteria valued by clients – including technical expertise, business acumen, prompt delivery and value for money.

Chambers Global 2011 research results for Bell Gully are:

Practice area

Individual rankings

Chambers says

NEW ZEALAND

Banking and Finance

Murray King
David McPherson
David Craig
Mark Todd

"This leading full-service firm is one of the strongest competitors in the banking and finance market in New Zealand, and is consistently ranked in the top tier."

"They are extremely prompt in their responses and have a clear understanding of clients' timeframes and requirements."

"Their legal advice is always sound."

Corporate/Commercial

Gavin Macdonald
Brynn Gilbertson
David Flacks
James Gibson
Garry Downs
Mark Freeman

"This firm has a formidable reputation in the corporate and commercial arena, offering top-quality advice on a multitude of transactions, including M&A, corporate restructuring, public offering and privatisation."

"The lawyers provide sound advice and are also commercial in their approach."

"The firm is extremely prompt in its responses because it understands clients' timeframes and requirements."

"They are knowledgeable in all areas, available at all times, and reasonable in their billing."

Corporate/Commercial: Competition

Phil Taylor
Torrin Crowther

"The competition team attracts an enviable clientele."

Corporate/Commercial: Energy & Natural Resources

Chris Gordon
Andrew Beatson
Garry Downs

"On the energy and natural resources front, the group stands out for its expertise in geothermal, cogeneration and thermal generation projects...It also represents leading exploration companies both nationally and internationally."

Corporate/Commercial: Public Law

David McGregor
Simon Watt
Tom Bennett
Marija Batistich

"In the area of public law, the team has a prominent presence in various key governmental initiatives."

Dispute Resolution

Brian Latimour
Ralph Simpson
Mark O'Brien
Roger Partridge

"...this established firm is a leading player in dispute resolution."

"An outstanding litigation practice. The team is strategic and extremely effective."

Employment

Rob Towner

"This firm is recognised nationally and internationally as a prominent name in employment law, and focuses on both contentious and advisory work."

"This firm is very knowledgeable about employment relations and its work is always thorough."

"The lawyers' response times are excellent."

Intellectual Property

Colleen Cavanagh
Alan Ringwood

"This firm has considerable capabilities in the IP field, and is particularly noted for its expertise in trade mark law.It handles both transactional and contentious issues, and continues to work for high-profile clients..."

"Over the past year the team has been equally engaged in IP litigation, where it has represented corporate clients ... in significant disputes concerning copyright and trade mark infringement."

"This strong commercial firm has a focused IP practice and is particularly renowned for its technology-related work."

Real Estate

Jane Holland
Andrew Petersen

"We use Bell Gully because it brings in extensive support, it provides first-rate legal advice, and it also has a great reputation in the industry."

Restructuring & Insolvency

Murray Tingey

"This firm's insolvency group is noted for its multidisciplinary practice and the quality of its service in both its Auckland and Wellington offices."

"A very strong insolvency firm with great resources at hand."

Tax

Niels Campbell
David Simcock
Willy Sussman

"[the practice] fields particular expertise on tax issues relating to domestic and international corporate structuring, financing and joint ventures."

"They are technically excellent and have a great client following. They have widely appreciated abilities in both tax and tax litigation."

Technology Media Telecommunications

Dean Oppenhuis

"The ICT group here offers wide expertise, including commercial litigation and dispute resolution, outsourcing, procurement, technology and telecoms contracts, software protection, installation, implementation and distribution."

"It acts for a range of significant companies and government agencies..."

"The group is held in high esteem by the government sector."

"I see great potential in this firm."

GLOBAL

Climate Change

Simon Watt
Kate Redgewell
(née Radka)

"This leading New Zealand firm has been diligent this year in work concerning the country's new emissions trading scheme; it has also been very active in South East Asia and a number of other international jurisdictions."

"Solid in their advice and their lawyers are always available and very responsive."