Based in Auckland, Bill Caldwell specialises in corporate and securities law, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets and corporate governance. He advises clients across multiple sectors on acquisitions and divestments, joint ventures, capital raisings, governance and general corporate matters. Before joining Chapman Tripp, Bill gained valuable experience in both corporate and property law at a specialist firm.  

Based in Auckland, Maiya Christini specialises in major projects and construction, advising clients on all stages of construction and infrastructure projects. She acts for government entities, principals, lenders, and contractors, providing guidance on procurement, contract drafting, administration and delivery. Maiya is experienced with NZS and FIDIC contracts, consultancy agreements, EPC and O&M contracts, alliance arrangements, and bespoke documentation.  

Based in Auckland, Alice Hall specialises in environment, planning, and resource management law. She advises public and commercial clients on a range of matters, including resource consenting, environmental compliance, and due diligence. Alice has particular experience working with infrastructure and development clients across sectors such as roading, renewable energy, port infrastructure, and retirement villages.  

Based in Auckland, Gray Hardy specialises in mergers and acquisitions, private capital, equity capital markets, joint ventures, and corporate restructuring. He advises domestic and international private equity funds, financial investors, and clients in sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, financial services, real estate, and forestry on acquisitions, divestments, and co-investments.  

Based in Wellington, Cate Hensen specialises in litigation and dispute resolution, with a focus on public, regulatory, climate, and ESG matters. She advises on a range of matters including statutory interpretation, tort law, and public law aspects of public sector contracting, and has particular interest and expertise in issues relating to climate change and ESG. Cate has appeared in the District Court and previously served as a Judges' clerk at the Court of Appeal | Te Kōti Pīra o Aotearoa.  

Based in Christchurch, Matt Lake specialises in corporate and commercial law, with a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and commercial contracting. He advises clients across a wide range of industries on matters including joint ventures, supply arrangements, and general commercial law, often featuring bespoke commercial agreements. Matt has particular experience in the retirement village and aged care sectors, agribusiness, and the private healthcare sector.  

Based in Wellington, James O’Donovan has a broad range of experience advising clients on corporate and commercial disputes, as well as other areas of legal risk across various sectors. As a member of Chapman Tripp’s climate practice, he has a particular focus on climate and sustainability-related litigation, and regularly advises on climate-risk management and disclosures. James also has experience acting on construction-related disputes and select international law issues.  

Based in Auckland, Thummim Shin is a specialist tax lawyer with experience in corporate tax, GST, and transfer pricing. He assists clients with mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, cross-border transactions, and Inland Revenue matters. Thummim advises corporates, charities, and iwi on structuring and tax implications, and has a background in a Big Four accounting firm.  

Based in Wellington, Sarah Spicer specialises in corporate and commercial law, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and governance. She advises a range of clients on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, due diligence, overseas investments, and incorporated societies. Sarah has both in-house and private practice experience, including international work in London.  

Based in Auckland, Katie Vodanovich specialises in civil litigation and dispute resolution, advising on corporate, commercial and regulatory matters. She has particular experience with contract disputes, trade mark issues, and tort claims, and has provided in-house legal support during secondments with a large corporation and a bank’s disputes team.  

Based in Auckland, Ruth Wright specialises in corporate and securities law, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, and governance. She has experience in advisory work, capital raising, and market regulation. Before joining Chapman Tripp, Ruth worked at the New Zealand Takeovers Panel, advising on takeovers and other change of control transactions for public and widely held companies. 

Based in Auckland, Samuel Yang specialises in civil litigation and dispute resolution, with expertise in anti-trust, contract, company, and insolvency disputes. He represents clients in a wide range of civil and commercial disputes, regularly appearing in the High Court and District Court, and has acted on appeals before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. He has also appeared before the Chief Justice of Jamaica in the Jamaican Supreme Court (St Mary’s Circuit).  

Based in Wellington, Gavin Zhou specialises in banking and finance law, focusing on funding programmes, bi-lateral and syndicated lending, and corporate and acquisition financing. He advises a range of clients including government departments and agencies, major banks, and multinational organisations on bi-lateral and syndicated lending and borrowing, legal due diligence, financial markets law, debt issuances, and project financing.