Michael is one of New Zealand's leading corporate transactional lawyers, and is a member of the firm's board of management.

He has over 25 years’ experience advising on mergers, takeovers, acquisitions, securities issuance, private equity transactions, and corporate governance. His work experience includes six years at a magic circle London firm.

Michael has been consistently recognised by major directories as a leading lawyer and is sought after for his commercial approach.

Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024
Corporate/Commercial

Leading Lawyer

Asia Pacific Legal 500 2024
Corporate/M&A

Leading Lawyer (Hall of Fame)

Australasian Law Awards
2023, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015

NZ Dealmaker of the Year Finalist

The International Who's Who Legal 2021
M&A and Governance

Global Leader

Work Highlights

Auckland Council

Acting on the $833 million strategic sale and block trade of 7% of Auckland International Airport held by Auckland Council.  

2degrees 

Acting for the telco on the $1.076 billion sale of its passive cell phone tower assets to mobile tower company, Connexa.

Heritage Lifecare 

Sale and leaseback of its property interests in 38 aged care facilities to Centuria Capital Group for $291 million.

Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets & Aware Super

Acquisition of telecommunications group, Vocus Group for $3.5 billion.

Matariki Forestry Group 

Establishment with Hancock Natural Resource Group of AVA Timber LP, New Zealand's largest export joint venture.

UBS  

Acting on the $400 million accelerated renounceable entitlement offer and placement by Infratil for the purposes of part financing the proposed acquisition of Vodafone NZ.

nib nz holdings group 

Acquisition of Kiwi Insurance Limited for $45 million.

Livestock Improvement Corporation 

Share simplification process, effecting the restructure of the co-operative and the consolidation of two classes of shares.

Craigs Investment Partners, Jarden Partners and Macquarie Securities 

$301 million block trade of shares in Oceania Healthcare.

Adamantem Capital 

Acquisition of leading smallgoods manufacturer Hellers.

Craigs Investment Partners and Macquarie Securities 

$65 million placement and accelerated non-renounceable entitlement offer of shares in Vista Group.

Arena Investors LP 

Funder and equity participant on the roll-up by Optic Security Group of six Australasian companies to create an integrated security products and services provider with revenues exceeding $100 million.

Citigroup Global Markets and Forsyth Barr Group

AU$300 million underwritten entitlement offer by Tilt Renewables.

UEM Edgenta 

$263 million takeover by WSP Global of Opus International Consultants.

Archer Capital  

Establishment of a new industry leading education business called Aspire2, formed through the acquisition of five New Zealand based private education businesses.

Macquarie Capital 

$1.81 billion sale by Origin Energy of its 53.1% shareholding in Contact Energy.

Marlborough Lines 

Acquisition of Yealands Wine Group Limited.

Accel Partners 

$132.9 million investment in Xero by private placement.

Areas of Expertise

Insights & News