David Coull

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David is a leading transactions and regulatory lawyer, with over 20 years’ experience practising in New Zealand and abroad. He has particular expertise in the energy sector and overseas investment into New Zealand.

David advises on mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions, the negotiation of commercial contracts, joint ventures, and regulatory matters. He has a reputation for delivering robust commercial outcomes for his clients, getting transactions completed, dispute management, and effective representation of clients with regulators.

David was a finalist for New Zealand Dealmaker of the Year at the Australasian Law Awards in 2018 and 2020. In 2019, transactions led by David won M&A Deal of the Year and overall New Zealand Deal of the Year at the New Zealand Law Awards.

David is also ranked in the top tier of energy lawyers in Chambers Asia Pacific 2023, and previously in Chambers Asia Pacific 2022 which commended his experience handling major transactions within the energy sector. One client describes him as an "outstanding commercial lawyer with good relationship skills and excellent legal and commercial judgement calls." Another says: "He was vital during negotiations and continues to give top-quality advice."

In previous editions, clients noted that David "knows the regulatory side of things inside out, and he is always good at coming up with refreshing ideas as to how to address the inevitable impasses that come up during delicate negotiations." Clients also commended David's "excellent counsel on development strategy" and “knowledge of New Zealand's regulations, great negotiating skills, strategic thinking and accessibility."

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2023 recommends David as a corporate and M&A lawyer. He is also recommended for projects and resource management (including environment).

In a previous edition of The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021, David was recommended for projects and resource management (including environment). Clients say "David Coull is smart, quick to adapt but is very good at clearly articulating the key principles of any deal/issue. Very responsive and thorough." He was ranked as one of the leading 24 energy lawyers in the world by Who's Who Legal Thought Leaders: Energy 2017, following his first being named in the same publication in 2015.

The IFLR1000 2023 names David as highly regarded for mergers and acquisitions.

David's international experience includes a three year period at Cravath, Swaine and Moore, the leading US corporate law firm, where he acted for corporates such as Nestlé SA, ConocoPhillips, Bristol Myers Squibb and Citigroup on a wide variety of mergers and acquisitions and advisory matters.

He was appointed to the Board of the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority in 2014 and was re-appointed in 2017. He served as a Board member for seven years.

Work highlights

Vector Metering
Acting for a bidder on the sale by Vector of its Vector Metering business, which sold for in excess of NZ$2 billion.

Ziwi
Acting for FountainVest on its purchase of the Ziwi business by way of a competitive auction process.

Todd Corporation
Acting for Todd on several of its recent M&A transactions, including the purchase of the Kapuni interest from Shell, its purchase of the Kapuni processing facilities from Vector, its sale of its LPG business to Genesis, the sale of its residual Maui interests to OMV, and the sale of its Maari interest to Horizon.

AGL Energy
Acting for AGL on the sale of all of its New Zealand assets by way of several transactions over a 2 year period.

First Gas - Gas Transmission Access Code
Acting for First Gas on the design and negotiation of its Gas Transmission Access Code, an industry-wide code relating to its gas infrastructure.

NZOG takeover
Acting for Eyal Ofer's O.G. Oil & Gas (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. on its contested partial takeover in respect of NZOG and the subsequent scheme of arrangement to acquire the remaining shares.

Contact Energy's Ahuroa Gas Storage Facility divestment
Advising Contact Energy on the sale of its Ahuroa Gas Storage Facility to Gas Services New Zealand for NZ$200 million, together with associated long term gas storage services agreements.

Mitsui E&P sales
Advised Mitsui E&P on the sale of a four per cent interest in the Kupe field to New Zealand Oil & Gas for NZ$35 million and on the sale of its 35 per cent interest in the Tui field.

Romarco Minerals acquisition
Advised Romarco Minerals on its CAD$850 million acquisition by OceanaGold.

The Barton Group garnet project
Advised The Barton Group on the establishment and development of its proposed garnet project on the West Coast of the South Island.

Coronado Resources electricity business
Opunake Hydro (a subsidiary of Coronado Resources) on the establishment and expansion of its electricity business in New Zealand.

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Work highlights

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