Local time:

Wellington is the capital and third most populous urban area in New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island. About 527,800 people live in the Wellington region, which is 11% of New Zealand’s population. The region is home to many diverse cultures.

Wellington is New Zealand's centre of government and the world's southernmost capital city.

Dentons Kensington Swan has a long history in Wellington and is one of the largest law firms in the city. Currently 12 partners are based in our Wellington office and our practices is widely recognised as leaders in the financial markets, infrastructure and government sectors.

Key service areas include:

• Banking and Finance
• Corporate
• Employment and Labour
• Occupational Safety and Health
• Energy
• Environment and Natural Resources
• Immigration
• Intellectual Property and Technology
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Privacy and Cybersecurity
• Technology
• Overseas Investment
• Public Policy and Regulation
• Real Estate
• Restructuring, Insolvency and Bankruptcy
• Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation
• Asia Business
• Construction
• Financial Markets
• Government
• Infrastructure
• Japan Business
• Life Sciences and Health Care
• Māori Business
• Transportation
• Wine and Liquor

Recognition

Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific 2020 Results

December 6, 2019

In these latest results, Chambers and Partners has recognised 11 of Kensington Swan’s (now Dentons Kensington Swan’s) practice areas with 16 of the firm’s lawyers being ranked in this year’s guide.

2019 New Zealand Law Award Finalists

September 24, 2019

Kensington Swan (now Dentons Kensington Swan) and its employees have been shortlisted for two firm awards and two deal awards.

Kensington Swan's (now Dentons Kensington Swan's) Private Wealth Team ranked in HNW Directory 2019

July 19, 2019

Chambers High Net Worth Guide ranks the top lawyers and law firms advising private clients and families around the world. These annual rankings are based on in-depth analysis provided by the Chambers team of experienced researchers.

View all recognition for Wellington

Insights

Fear of the unknown, fear of missing out: what's ahead for M&A

July 2, 2020

When the pandemic broke, hand brakes were swiftly pulled, and just like that the record-breaking bull run of M&A activity was over. It's a very different landscape now. There is a way back to M&A business-as-usual, but there are also clearly impediments lying along that track. Partners Wook Jin Lee and David Shillson predict significant imbalances in the strength of businesses post-recovery, and their analysis is here.

Financial advice provider licensing - another piece of the puzzle revealed

June 30, 2020

The FMA has signalled its intentions for the full licensing of financial advice providers (‘FAPs’) under the new regulatory regime for financial advice by releasing a consultation paper on the proposed standard conditions for those licences and classes of financial advice service. The standard licence conditions proposed provide us with one of the final pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that will make up the regulatory compliance obligations for FAPs once the new regime is finally into full swing.

What to expect when you're collecting: Privacy Act 2020

June 26, 2020

After much anticipation, the Privacy Bill has passed its third and final reading and is set to be signed into law, with a commencement date for most provisions of 1 December 2020.

View all insights for Wellington

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons expands in Australasia with New Zealand launch

February 10, 2020

Dentons has launched a previously announced combination with Kensington Swan in New Zealand to further its Australasia growth strategy.

Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020 results

January 20, 2020

Kensington Swan (now Dentons Kensington Swan) has once again improved its rankings in the influential legal directory, The Legal 500 (Asia Pacific).

Insolvency Practitioners Regulation Act 2019

August 16, 2019

James McMillan and Mark Broad recently hosted the August RITANZ Auckland Networking Event, where they shared their insights into the new Insolvency Practitioners Regulation Act 2019 and how the transitional provisions of the Act may work.

View all press releases for Wellington