Bio
Geoff specialises in mergers, acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, shareholder agreements, IT, IP, and venture capital.
He regularly advises on strategic commercial contracts such as supply/procurement arrangements, consulting and service agreements, contract manufacturing agreements, distributorships, sales and marketing agreements, IP licensing and technology transfer, research and development agreements.
Geoff also has significant expertise in the field of information technology/intellectual property, regularly advising both, providers and purchasers, on all aspects of technology law, from systems integration agreements to the outsourcing of computer services.
Geoff combines his commercial experience with a deep understanding of his clients’ business drivers, tailoring his advice to meet commercial objectives.
Recognition
- Best Lawyers New Zealand, Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyer
- IFLR1000, Mergers and Acquisitions, Notable Practitioner, 2024
Qualifications
- LLB, BCom – University of Auckland
- Admitted in New Zealand – 1990
Work highlights
- Acted for The Selwyn Foundation on a ground breaking joint venture relationship with Auckland Council (through a limited partnership structure) for the lease maintenance operation and development Council’s housing portfolio for the elderly in Auckland – for a term of 100 years.
- Acted for BSA International on its acquisition of New Zealand New Milk Limited New Zealand New Milk Brands Limited and New Zealand New Milk Trading Limited (a consumer ready infant formula manufacturer) via Sanulac Oceania Pty Ltd – OIO consent obtained.
- Acted on the sale by Envictus NZ Limited of Envictus Dairies NZ Limited (manufacturing and bottling plant for dairy and juice products).
- Regularly acts for North American based acquirers of strategic IT businesses in NZ.
- Regularly acts for NZ businesses in relation to leveraged and management buy outs.
- Acted on the sale of Simply Energy (Australasian energy retailer) to Contact Energy.
