Leading NZ Law Firm Rebrands

Closer Legal Relationships In Asia Pacific As Leading NZ Law Firm Rebrands

Leading New Zealand law firm, Rudd Watts & Stone tonight announced that it is further developing its 12 year relationship with Asia Pacific law firm Minter Ellison and will become Minter Ellison Rudd Watts effective from 1 September.

The announcement was made by National Chairman of Partners, Mr Peter Rowe, at a Wellington function hosted by Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt and attended by keynote speaker, Jane Diplock, incoming New Zealand Securities Commission Chairperson. Both referred to the closer integration of the New Zealand economy with those of our near neighbours.

The consolidation establishes Minter Ellison Rudd Watts as a cornerstone in the most progressive legal group in Asia Pacific, with offices throughout Australia and in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok, Jakarta, London and New York.

Commenting on the rebrand, Executive Chairman, Mr Mark Sandelin, emphasised that Minter Ellison Rudd Watts will be NZ owned and operated as well as being part of a very strong regional and global brand.

Mr Sandelin said: "The new name portrays our close working relationship with the Minter Ellison Legal Group and links together two of the region's leading legal brands.

"We have very strong relationships with our clients in New Zealand and are committed to providing them with on the ground support, as well as enhanced service and access to legal advice throughout Asia Pacific".

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts has 42 partners working with 300 staff in offices in Auckland and Wellington. It has had a long association with Anthony Harper in Christchurch which is also a member of the Minter Ellison Legal Group.

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts now offers clients access to one of the most progressive and in-depth legal networks in Asia Pacific.

Direct benefits include seamless operations across the region, informed and innovative working practices including formal information sharing sessions by practice leaders across the group, reliability and results as attested to by a range of blue chip clients, and high calibre people who prove again and again that they are willing to go the extra mile for their clients.

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Media backgrounder

Key personnel include Mark Sandelin, Executive Chairman; Tony Caughey, Chief Executive Officer; Peter Rowe, Chairman of the firm's partners.

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts has 42 partners working with 300 staff in New Zealand.

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts has offices in Auckland and Wellington, and has had a six year relationship with Anthony Harper in Christchurch.

Minter Ellison

Ian Davis is the National Chairman of Partners for Minter Ellison

Minter Ellison has played a role in virtually every significant transaction that has occurred in Australia in the last year, as well as been involved in large projects throughout Asia.

Minter Ellison is one of Australia's largest law firms and among the largest law firms in the world. The 1999 international Global 50 survey compiled by the UK's Legal Business magazine ranks Minter Ellison at number 26 - eight places higher than last year. We are one of only three Australian law firms to make the list. The firm is also the third largest in Australia with 252 partners and billings of $A287million in the 99/00 year.

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