Sean Dolan

Senior Associate

he/him

Sean is a banking and finance lawyer with broad expertise in both transactional and advisory work in the financial services industry.

He has proven expertise in assisting banks and other financial institutions with regulatory and compliance projects. His work has assisted clients achieve good customer outcomes in addition to compliance in a fast-changing regulatory environment. These projects often focus on consumer protection legislation, including the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act (CCCFA) and the Fair Trading Act (FTA).

Sean also specialises in insolvency and restructuring matters. He has acted for banks, receivers, and liquidators in a number of high profile matters and restructuring transactions. He is experienced in a wide range of financing transactions, including property finance, development finance, and project finance matters. In addition to his work in relation to consumer protection law and reform, Sean advises on the Personal Property Securities Act (PPSA) and the Property Law Act (PLA).

Having had previous roles in litigation/dispute resolution, Sean brings a valuable perspective to complex risk and compliance matters. Secondment experience at major banks has also provided him with great insight into the inner-workings and operational challenges faced by financial institutions. He works closely with colleagues from other teams within the firm including litigation, corporate, and property to provide comprehensive advice.

Sean is known for his sound legal judgment and his strong communication skills. He works to form strong relationships with his clients which enable him to understand an organisation’s key concerns and commercial drivers. Clients praise the clarity and ‘solution-focused’ nature of Sean’s advice and his measured and considered approach to his work.

Sean is a regular contributor to internal and external presentations and trainings. He also plays an important role as a mentor to junior solicitors in the Banking and Financial Services team. He is a member of the Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association New Zealand Inc (RITANZ) and the Pacific Lawyers Association (PLA).

Career highlights

Advising banks and other financiers on the recent reforms to the Credit Contract and Consumer Finance Act 2003 (and associated regulations).

Advising banks and other financial institutions on the unfair contract terms regime in the Fair Trading Act 1986 (including the 2022 reforms to expand the regime to include certain ‘in trade’ contracts).

Advising JUCY Group (and then its receivers) on a variety of matters for the JUCY Rentals business and the receivership process following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acting for the secured creditor and receivers on a receivership sale of a New Zealand group of wine-making companies.

Advising a high-profile national company on restructuring issues and options that related to the company’s loss-making subsidiary.

Affiliations
  • Member, Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association New Zealand Inc (RITANZ)
Achievements and recognition
  • Tier 1 team, Banking and Finance, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
  • Tier 1 team, Restructuring and Insolvency, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific