Rodney is a corporate law expert who specialises in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), capital raising and restructuring.
A significant part of Rodney’s practice involves assisting early-stage and high growth businesses (particularly in the technology sector) with their legal needs. His clients include entrepreneurs, privately owned businesses, small and medium sized enterprises (SME), and large corporates. His M&A and capital raising expertise spans most industries, but he has particular experience in the technology, financial services, food & beverage, healthcare and aged care sectors.
Rodney transcends his role as a legal adviser to that of a business partner. He helps with day-to-day contracting and compliance issues through to advising on expansion activities and other significant transactions (such as raising capital, the entry or exit of shareholders, entry into joint ventures, adopting an employee share scheme, or restructuring the business). Rodney has advised on a number of equity crowdfunding campaigns.
Rodney has an NZX Diploma and also has experience advising on compliance with the Takeovers Code, the NZX Listing Rules, and the NZX Participant Rules.
Recognised for his expertise by several legal directories, Rodney stands out for his excellent client care. He has twice won the Lexology Client Choice Award. He provides sound, pragmatic advice and can communicate complex issues in an easy-to-understand way. He helps clients understand which legal issues are critical and where opportunities for compromise will assist the deal to progress. Clients appreciate his responsive, practical, and business-minded counsel.
Rodney is a thought leader on commercial and corporate law issues. He regularly presents seminars and workshops and is a co-author of Lexis Nexis Practical Business Law and several chapters of Morison’s Company Law.
Career highlights
Advising on the sale of the business and assets of a large New Zealand SaaS business to a US-based private equity firm.
Advising several high growth tech companies on their capital raising activities, including via wholesale offers and equity crowdfunding.
Advising a private equity fund on its acquisition programme, including in the primary and hi-tech manufacturing sectors.
Advising a number of high growth companies on the establishment, operation and restructuring of their employee share ownership arrangements.
Advising on a series of acquisitions for clients with roll-up programmes in the aged care and health care industries, including associated structuring and funding arrangements.
Advising several successful craft beer manufacturers on all their legal needs, including distribution agreements, shareholder arrangements, capital raising (including equity crowdfunding) and joint ventures.
Achievements and recognition
- Notable Practitioner, M&A and Capital Markets (Debt & Equity), IFLR1000
- Band 1 team, Corporate/Commercial, Chambers Asia-Pacific
- Tier 1 team, Corporate and M&A, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
- Winner, Client Choice Award, M&A, New Zealand, Lexology, 2019, 2021
- Leading Individual, AsiaLaw, 2016, 2018
- Recognised, Corporate Law, Best Lawyers
- Winner, Client Choice Award, General Corporate, New Zealand, Lexology, 2016, 2019
- Recognised, Capital Markets Law, Best Lawyers
- Winner, General Corporate Lawyer of the Year New Zealand, ILO Client Choice Awards, 2016