Denis was a partner from 1975 to 2009 and is based in the commercial property group. His areas of expertise include commercial property, with a particular emphasis on the hospitality and land development business areas. He is also the former head of the commercial property group.
During his legal career Denis has had extensive involvement in the firm's management, including as a past chairman of the firm's board of management.
Denis has been named a leading lawyer across a number of practice areas in each edition of Asia Pacific Legal 500 since that publication was established in 2003.
Examples of Work
- Hopper Developments - canal developments throughout New Zealand, including Pauanui Waterways, Marsden Cove, and Whitianga Waterways
- EIE of Japan - purchase of the Finance Centre in Auckland from Chase Corporation (then in statutory management), at the time the largest land transaction in value terms outside of government transactions in New Zealand's history
- The acquisition by Hong Kong investors of the then Japanese owned Pan Pacific Hotel and its subsequent sale (now the Rendezvous Hotel)
- The establishment of a joint venture between American and Maori interests to acquire the Quality Hotel chain of hotels and the subsequent sale of those assets to Singapore based CDL
- The establishment of New Zealand activities for a number of Australian trusts, including overseeing and acting on their investments into major New Zealand commercial and industrial property
- Group 4 Securitas - representation on the establishment of its security operations in New Zealand and subsequent sale to ADT
- The establishment of a joint venture to develop a major mixed use project (residential housing, luxury hotels, championship golf course, marina village, and associated infrastructure) in Fiji
Other Credentials
- Auckland Finance and Trade Centre Limited - Director
- Genesis Power - Denis was appointed to this major New Zealand state owned enterprise in 2002 and served two terms (until April 2008) as a director. He was also a member of the board committee that conducted the search for, and recommended the appointment of, a new Chief Executive and was chairman of the Remuneration Committee
- Institute of Directors - Member
- Inter Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) (New Zealand Jurisdictional Council member since 2005) - Member
- Auckland Consular Corps - Executive committee member
- Honorary Consul of Mexico
- NZ PECC (New Zealand Committee of the Pacific Economic Corporation Council) - Deputy chairman
