Tompkins Wake

Last month, we proudly celebrated Movember with a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring some remarkable men from diverse roles across Tompkins Wake. They opened up about their personal stories, career journeys, and the challenges they’ve overcome, sparking genuine and meaningful conversations. A huge thank you to our incredible panelists—Jon Calder, Liam Pearce, Dillon Rach, Peter Duncan, and Mitchell Karpik—for their honesty, vulnerability, and willingness to share their experiences. Special thanks to Daniel McGill for chairing the discussion with such empathy and compassion. This event showcases the vital role of Tompkins Wake's Diversity and Inclusion Group, Common Ground, in fostering a culture where every voice is heard and valued. And, of course, congratulations to Connor Gordon for being crowned "Bro with the Best Mo"—a well-earned title. #movember #menshealth #mentalhealth

Cyber security isn’t just a concern for big corporations. The risks are real for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), with one-third experiencing a cyber-attack in the past six months. Despite handling sensitive data and being critical links in supply chains, many SMEs struggle to stay ahead of evolving threats, with only 48% feeling adequately prepared to handle a potential incident.   In collaboration with IT Partners, our experts discuss SMEs' legal and technical challenges and practical steps to strengthen cyber resilience. This article highlights the critical need for a proactive approach to cyber security by drawing on real-world examples such as the breaches involving Mercury IT and Latitude Financial. Special thanks to co-authors Kelcy Ballantyne and Tim Bixley from IT Partners for their valuable insights and contributions. https://bit.ly/3ZLrEpv #cybersecurity #SMEs #dataprotection

New Zealand comedians and satirists may soon find themselves with a little more freedom to poke fun at and critique the world around them, thanks to the drawing of the Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill. Introduced by Green MP Kahurangi Carter, the Bill seeks to amend New Zealand's Copyright Act 1994 to allow fair dealing for parody and satire. This change would align with international standards and give creators more freedom to use existing works for humor and critique without legal risks.  Currently, New Zealand’s laws lack specific protections for parody and satire, disadvantaging smaller creators and stifling cultural commentary. The Bill mirrors Australia’s laws and expands fair dealing exceptions for creative purposes. The Bill faces several parliamentary stages before becoming law, but if successful, it could modernise New Zealand’s copyright framework and encourage creative expression. If you have any questions about the Bill, or how it may affect you, contact one of our experts below. https://bit.ly/3B2Hjr0

This month, we are celebrating a significant milestone - 10 years since Tompkins Wake acquired Davys Burton, establishing our office and presence in Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty. We marked the occasion recently with a morning tea and cake, reflecting on our decade of success and growth here in Rotorua. We’re incredibly fortunate to still have 9 team members from Davys Burton with us, and we were glad to have Fraser Wood, our longest-standing Partner in Rotorua, join us to cut the cake. In the past 10 years, our client activity in Rotorua has grown over 50%, thanks to our incredible team on the ground who have been essential in our journey. And while Tompkins Wake has been in Rotorua for a decade, our roots here extend back 126 years with Davys Burton founded in 1898. Here’s to many more years of serving the Rotorua community. #Rotoruabusiness #lawfirmanniversary #teammilestone

Tompkins Wake is delighted to see three of our commercial specialists ranked in IFLR1000 's Asia-Pacific Guide for 2024. Partner Kerri Dewe has been ranked as Highly Regarded in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A). Special Counsel Mark Lowndes has been recognised as an Expert Consultant in M&A and Technology & Telecommunications, while Partner Bryce Davey has been acknowledged as a Notable Practitioner in M&A. Tompkins Wake has also been ranked as a notable firm in three categories: M&A, Project Development and Restructuring and Insolvency. IFLR1000 is an international legal market guide that evaluates leading financial and corporate law firms based on extensive research, deal analysis, and client feedback. Congratulations to Kerri, Mark, Bryce, and the entire Tompkins Wake team for this well-deserved recognition. https://bit.ly/4hSGFwQ #IFLR1000 #commercialspecialists #recognisedexcellence

Are you an innovative leader ready to shape the financial future of one of New Zealand’s top 10 law firms? Tompkins Wake is seeking a Financial Controller to oversee and drive our finance strategy, efficiency, and compliance in this pivotal, newly created role. Reporting to our Chief Operating Officer, you will work closely with our senior leadership team, providing critical financial insights and leading a team of six to ensure operational excellence. We’re looking for a skilled professional with 5-7 years of experience in financial operations within professional services, a CA qualification (or equivalent), and a proven ability to lead high-performing teams with precision and attention to detail. Join an award-winning, inclusive firm that values flexibility, growth, and collaboration. Apply now with your CV and cover letter to be part of our exciting journey, at the link below. https://bit.ly/4fIKnaI #financerole #financialcontroller #applynow

The New Zealand coalition government continues to show it is committed to changing our overseas investment regulation. In addition to the changes introduced under a Ministerial Directive Letter to the Overseas Investment Office earlier this year, the government has recently announced its intention to reform our overseas investment legislation to make it easier and faster for overseas investors to invest in sensitive assets in Aotearoa. A press release from the Associate Finance Minister outlined the key principles agreed by Cabinet which will guide the amendments to the rules. These key principles include maintaining the current scope of screened investments, streamlining core tests, and changing the starting presumption so that investments can proceed unless risk factors are identified, with the Government retaining the ability to block or impose conditions on high-risk investments. Detailed proposals to reform the legislation are underway, with changes expected by the end of 2025. For more information about the upcoming changes or to connect with our team, click the link below. https://bit.ly/3UZ54XU Briar Shaw | Campbell Stewart #overseasinvestment #regulations #NZregulations

Tompkins Wake is delighted to welcome Jessica Phillips who joins our Dispute Resolution team as a Partner based in Auckland. Jessica brings a wealth of expertise as a commercial and regulatory litigator, with experience in competition, property, and commercial disputes. She has represented clients across diverse sectors, from education and construction to sports administration, with a strategic approach that’s both responsive and deeply attuned to clients' commercial needs. With frequent appearances in the District and High Courts, Jessica is also skilled in arbitration, making her a versatile asset for complex litigation. Before joining us, Jessica was a senior associate at a prominent New Zealand firm and spent six years honing her skills internationally with Hausfeld and Clifford Chance in London. Nau mai, haere mai Jessica – welcome to Tompkins Wake. https://bit.ly/40M8kJI #legalexpertise #disputeresolution #Aucklandlaw

Our 2024/2025 summer internship programme at Tompkins Wake has officially begun, and we’re delighted to welcome 13 talented new team members. This year’s three-day induction in our Hamilton office features an office tour, insightful chats with past interns Jess Vergeest, Jordan Harris, Liam Pearce, Samantha Gregory and Kyla McNaughten, as well as sessions on research and opinion writing, confidentiality and privacy, and client engagement. We also hosted a fun ice-breaker event, allowing everyone to connect and experience the TW culture. A big welcome to our new interns: John Anayi, Ashley Zhuang, Sarah Smit, Bronte Hemming, Jake Cox, Olivia May, Matthew Veitch, Lauren Alpin, and Annabelle Kay – plus Fraser Duncan, Ella Burney, Alex Middlemiss and Isabella Ranum, who are already part of the TW network. We’re so glad to have you join us for the summer. #summerinterns #futurelawyers #peoplematter

Congratulations to Tompkins Wake Partner James MacGillivray, who has been awarded The University of Waikato Medal for his exceptional contributions to both the University and the Waikato community over the past decade. As a highly regarded leader at Tompkins Wake and within the legal community, James has been heavily involved in the University’s research commercialisation arm, redefining university innovation in New Zealand and internationally. As a part-time lecturer at Te Piringa – Faculty of Law, James has also enriched the educational experience of future legal practitioners. University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley praised James for his significant impact, saying, “James has been a transformative force in the University’s commercialisation efforts, contributing substantial expertise and dedication to the University’s growth and success.” Congratulations James. What an outstanding achievement! Learn more about his contributions to the University of Waikato at the link below. https://bit.ly/3UIr5dr #UoW #UniversityofWaikatoMedal #recognisedexcellence