Financial Services - New Zealand
What the team is known for
Chapman Tripp houses a high-level financial services group that provides a comprehensive service to New Zealand's major banks and insurers from its base in Wellington. The firm is a market leader in acting for fund managers on the establishment of managed investment schemes. The practice offers expert advisory practice for FMCA regulatory issues as well as a broad array of expertise in the funds arena including KiwiSaver and superannuation schemes, and provides coordinated advice relating to fund restructuring and regulatory compliance. Key clients include Chubb, AMP Wealth Management New Zealand and Kiwi Group Holdings.
Strengths
"Chapman Tripp is one of the leading New Zealand law firms in a number of different practice areas, including financial services."
"They really do have a very keen sense of what's going on in the regulatory world."
Work highlights
Chapman Tripp assisted Partners Life with its acquisition of National Wealth Management New Zealand Holding, the parent company of BNZ Life. The firm also advised on the transfer of BNZ Life’s life insurance portfolio to Partners Life, the termination of the BNZ Life statutory fund and the cancellation of BNZ Life’s insurance licence.
Notable Practitioners
Mike Woodbury is a recognised as the market's leading superannuation expert, and also advises on workplace savings and KiwiSaver scheme matters.
Tim Williams is the leader of Chapman Tripp's financial services team and a pre-eminent lawyer in the market who provides transactional and compliance counsel to prominent national investment managers and financial institutions. "He pays good attention to his clients, making them feel like they are the only clients he has." "He is always very responsive and very pleasant to deal with. It almost feels like we are his only client; he pays such good attention." "Tim Williams is a leader in financial services law."
Penny Sheerin stands out for her mastery of fund management matters, including establishment and restructuring questions, as well as the full range of regulatory issues. "Penny Sheerin is a safe pair of hands."
Kara Daly routinely assists clients with mandates relating to insurance law and investment funds. She also offers advice on financial services regulatory and compliance issues.