Simpson Grierson's specialist Hospitality Law Group was established to meet the needs of clients in this rapidly growing industry.

Our specialist hospitality lawyers work together to advise hotels and motels, restaurants, resorts, wineries, breweries, entertainment promoters, insurance companies and trade associations on the full range of issues affecting the industry including keeping them informed on issues such as:

• Acquisition and Financing Issues
• Real estate matters
• Commercial transactions
• Business formation
• Employment and Industrial Relations
• IP and brand protection
• Commercial finance
• Liability issues for the Sale of Food & Beverages
• Immigration issues
• Management Contracts
• Health & Safety issues
• Franchising
• Liquor licensing and other regulatory issues
• Gaming issues
• Litigation and alternative dispute resolution

Partner Denis McNamara is a member of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants - a professional society of approximately 200 individual members from around the world. Membership is by invitation only and ISHC has become one of the world’s most reliable sources for expertise and counsel in the hospitality industry. 

Real Estate & Commercial Land Use

Simpson Grierson's Commercial Property Group handles a variety of real estate, land use and construction issues for hospitality industry clients. Whether it's acquiring and developing restaurant and hotel properties, leasing for restaurants and bars, or land use advice related to the location of restaurants and hotels, Simpson Grierson's Property lawyers offer efficient and practical guidance on areas such as:

• Negotiating and closing the purchase or sale of hospitality properties 
• Negotiating and closing the financing needed to buy land and construct accommodation or restaurant facilities 
• Identifying, forming and integrating the business entities that are most appropriate for owning and operating hospitality properties

General Commercial Advice

Commercial Law is Simpson Grierson's largest practice area. Legal solutions are provided to a broad spectrum of the New Zealand business community and those seeking to do business in New Zealand. We are proud of the manner in which we have assisted our hospitality clients with all manner of commercial advice and to keep up with and ahead of developments affecting their business. In doing so, we seek to be as innovative in our business and its delivery of commercial solutions as our clients are in theirs.  For more information please go to our Commercial expertise page.

Employment and Industrial Relations

Employers in the labour intensive hospitality industry are confronted daily with a wide variety of challenging employment and industrial law issues. Our dedicated Employment Law Group understand the industry and regularly assist hospitality employers in successfully navigating their way through these minefields. Our focus is on risk management strategies and programmes to ensure we assist employers in avoiding problems and resolving those issues which inevitably do arise as quickly, successfully and cost-effectively as possible. We help hospitality employers with matters involving all areas of employment law including union related issues, defending against claims of discrimination, harassment and wrongful dismissal, as well as advising employers on issues as diverse as employee leave issues, and all employee handbooks and policies. For more information please go to our Sales and Marketing Group expertise page.

Environment and Resource Management

With a host of complex environmental laws to deal with, hospitality industry clients can depend upon Simpson Grierson's Environmental Law Group lawyers to provide sound guidance and advice. Whether it's securing regulatory permits for development, performing pre-acquisition environmental site assessments, securing water rights for new golf courses or resort landscaping, or providing regulatory compliance audits, Simpson Grierson's Environmental Law expertise is a valuable resource for hospitality industry clients. For more information please go to our Environment & Resource Management Group expertise page.

Franchising and Distribution

New Zealand has the highest per capita rate of franchising in the world. Businesses providing hospitality services are often operated by individuals and families who are owners or franchisees. Simpson Grierson has considerable experience in representing and partnering with both international and local franchisors. We take a pragmatic practical approach with our franchise clients on a variety of matters, including the following:

• Branding
• Expansion and development
• Financing
• Franchise and distribution agreements
• Cross boarder transactions
• Disclosure documentation
• Master franchising
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Negotiation
• Ownership structures

For more information please go to our Franchising and Distribution expertise page.

Immigration

Simpson Grierson's experienced immigration legal team regularly advises hospitality industry businesses on a wide variety of immigration matters., assisting for over 20 years. We have helped businesses obtain visas for their employees (particularly for foreign-food chefs and cooks and hotel or restaurant managers), and assisted businesses and individuals apply for New Zealand citizenship. For more information please go to on Immigration expertise page.

Intellectual Property

We have a dedicated IP registration and portfolio management practice.  Our IP group also works with our commercial and corporate teams within Simpson Grierson to ensure a commercially oriented focus.

We see your IP as core assets; the use and protection of which is crucial to meet commercial objectives. Our integrated approach means we can provide more useful, effective and tailored advice and assistance.

With the growth of the Internet, the globalization of trade, and the growing significance of technology, no modern hospitality industry business can afford to ignore IP issues. From trademark and trade name clearance, protection and licensing, trade dress (the layout, appearance, and look and feel of a place of business) identification and protection, to trade secret protection, Simpson Grierson's IP lawyers offer practical guidance for your intellectual property interests. For more information please go to our Intellectual Property Group expertise page.

International Trade & Investment

Simpson Grierson's International Trade and Investment Group has significant experience in dealing with the hospitality industry including the establishment and development of hotels both in New Zealand and overseas.

We handle a wide range of legal issues, including the establishment of company branches and subsidiaries, the formation of international joint ventures, foreign acquisition and investment in New Zealand business and property, as well as advising New Zealand-based businesses on trade and investment outside New Zealand. We also advise on international financing, international trade, maritime law, international tax, technology transfers, cross-border litigation, and other related matters. For more information please go to our International Trade & Investment expertise page.

Litigation

Simpson Grierson regularly advises a variety of clients within the hospitality industry on all litigation issues. As well as effectively progressing matters in Court when required, our commercial litigators also look to provide proactive and innovative advice to resolve disputes without recourse to the Courts. This can involve the adoption of alternative dispute resolution procedures such as mediation and also, in conjunction with our commercial partners, advising clients as early as possible on risk identification and management issues. For more information please go to our Litigation expertise page.

In addition the above Simpson Grierson is able to advise on any other area of commercial law relevant to  your needs including Sales and Marketing, Construction, Tax, and Information Communications Technology (ICT). For further information about our expertise please visit our website at www.simpsongrierson.com