Julian Spring

Senior Associate

Julian is an experienced general commercial litigator, with a focus on contractual disputes, insolvency matters, and trust and estate litigation.

Julian acts for clients from a wide range of sectors including the major banks, large financial institutions including investment and advisory groups, body corporates, and high net worth individuals.

He has extensive Court experience including acting as counsel in High Court trials and interlocutory matters. Julian also regularly provides advice outside of the courtroom about complex commercial matters to achieve the best outcome. Julian has broad experience with private and Court facilitated alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation, arbitration and judicial settlement conferences.

Julian is known for delivering timely and effective strategic advice to clients, particularly in situations where urgent relief is required. His experience includes obtaining injunctions and freezing orders from the High Court.

Clients have commented that Julian brings a genuine enthusiasm and interest to all instructions and works to understand their business to give clear and practical advice. He achieves commercial solutions by providing pragmatic and targeted advice to each specific client.

Julian maintains strong ties to the University of Auckland where he has tutored a broad variety of legal subjects and assisted with lecturing.

Career highlights

Acting in proceedings in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court for high net worth Las Vegas casino executives regarding an investment in a winery and vineyard in Nelson, New Zealand: Schaeffer v Murren [2020] NZSC 98. Work in these proceedings included obtaining freezing orders in the Court of Appeal in a leading case in New Zealand: Murren v Schaeffer [2018] NZCA 318.

Acting in High Court litigation relating to the 36th America’s Cup Event regarding contractual claims.

Regularly acting for several of the four major banks to provide advice and appear in Court on insolvency matters.

Acting in a complex family and commercial trust dispute, including to seek High Court relief under the Trusts Act and to provide strategic advice to trustee clients.

Achievements and recognition
  • Tier 1 team, Dispute Resolution, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific