James Cooney

Partner, Auckland

Contact

+64 9 916 8620 +64 21 190 6145 james.cooney@bellgully.com

Expertise

James is a corporate partner specialising in M&A and capital markets transactions. He advises leading companies and sponsors on their most complex and significant transactions in the New Zealand market.

James advises clients on private acquisitions and disposals, public takeovers and schemes of arrangement, equity capital markets, and listed corporate governance. He has a reputation for providing excellent client service and for being solutions-oriented.

James has particular expertise in takeovers law and strategy (including extensive schemes experience), and is one of New Zealand's leading takeovers lawyers. He has acted on nearly half of the major takeovers in the New Zealand market over the last decade. He brings an international perspective to his takeover practice, having worked on a number of significant takeovers during his four years at Slaughter and May in London. His understanding of Australian and UK takeovers law and practice is particularly valued by international clients.

In addition to his transactional work, James regularly provides listing rule and corporate governance advice to a number of listed companies. He is a member of the executive of the Listed Companies Association. He was also a member of the regulatory working group of Capital Markets 2029 (the NZX and FMA initiated industry-led review of New Zealand's capital markets).

Qualifications

LLB(Hons), BCom University of Auckland

2003 Admitted New Zealand

2008 Admitted England and Wales (non-practising)

Professional experience

2005-2009 Slaughter and May London, UK

^{Chambers Asia Pacific 2025 Corporate/Commercial, 'Leading lawyer'.}

^{IFLR 1000 2024 M&A, 'Highly regarded'.}

^{The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025 Corporate and M&A, 'Recommended'.}

^{He is also recognised by Best Lawyers for Corporate Law, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law.}

^{James is noted as well regarded for his work advising clients in relation to both international and domestic M&A transactions. He was described by clients as "our go-to front man", "the possessor of a constructive and conciliatory manner" and a source of "straight-to-the-point, commercial advice."}

^{Other clients state that he "provides insightful and commercial advice" and is "highly recommended."}

MCK takeover

Advising Millenium & Copthorne on the takeover offer from its major shareholder.

Smartpay control transaction proposals

Advising Smartpay in relation to the proposals received in relation to a possible control transaction in respect of Smartpay.

Manawa takeover

Advising Contact Energy on its proposed NZ$1.86bn acquisition of NZX-listed Manawa Energy by way of scheme of arrangement.

Fletcher Building NZ$700m capital raising

Advised Fletcher Building on its NZ$700m fully underwritten accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer and placement.

Pushpay takeover

Advised the consortium of BGH Capital and Sixth Street on their proposed NZ$1.5bn acquisition of NZX and ASX-listed Pushpay Holdings Limited by way of scheme of arrangement.

Abano takeovers

Advised BGH Capital and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board on their acquisition of NZX-listed Abano by way of scheme of arrangement. The scheme involved an innovative consideration adjustment mechanism and was proposed after BGH Capital and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board had successfully terminated the first proposed scheme of arrangement due to a material adverse change.

Acquisition of Healthscope's New Zealand pathology business

Advised Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board on the regulatory aspects of, and the shareholder arrangements for, its acquisition, with NZ Super Fund, of New Zealand's largest provider of pathology services, Asia Pacific Healthcare Group, for approximately NZ$550m. Both OTPP and NZ Super Fund took at a 50% stake.