Anthony Harper have had another stellar year.  Corporate and commercial assignments have ranged from the sale of vintage warbird aircraft, through acting for the developer of the South Island's tallest building, the C1 Tower, to the hugely successful listing of NZ Windfarms on the New Zealand Stock Exchange.  The year has seen revenues increasing by nearly 20%.
 
Anthony Harper have been recognised as the leading South Island commercial law firm, with a string of high profile corporate transactions (see table [below]).  The influential Asia Pacific Legal 500 recommends the firm's corporate advisory partners, and the firm is the only South Island firm recommended for corporate and M&A work by PLC's Which Lawyer?.

David Gould, a corporate advisory partner and the firm's managing partner, notes the firm's collaborative approach.  "We look to understand a client's business and objectives, and then tailor our services to their unique needs.  We focus on securing desired outcomes, rather than simply making clients aware of problems and blockages.  We are, if you like, "deal makers", rather than "deal obstructers"."  Certainly, the firm supports a wide range of clients, including trading banks and major corporates, with its client list including Westpac, ASB Bank (part of Commonwealth Bank), HSBC, ANZ National Bank, Fulton Hogan, Holcim, EziBuy, Donaghys and NZ Windfarms.

Malcolm Hurley, another corporate advisory partner, notes that the firm is often at the forefront of legal developments.  "We have, for example, recently undertaken a number of vendor legal due diligence assignments, with our reports being relied on by purchasers and their financiers.  This is a new development for law firms and, in fact, the standard reliance letter in the marketplace is based on our work."

Many of the firm's clients also have North Island operations and, in response to demand from them and others, Anthony Harper is setting up an Auckland office.  The doors will open at the beginning of next year.  However, much of the work will still be done in the South Island to take advantage of the Island's lower cost base.

The firm prides itself on being responsive and always available for its clients.  "We are committed to working to agreed deadlines and operate a "no surprises" guarantee", says David.  "After all, we measure success not on the basis of one off deals, but by forming long term relationships with our clients."

Christchurch and Auckland
www.anthonyharper.co.nz

Clients & Transaction

NZ Windfarms Limited 
Capital raising by way of an offer of securities to the public and transfer of its listing from the NZAX to NZSX

EziBuy Limited and shareholders 
Sale of shares to Catalyst Investment Fund

Fulton Hogan Limited 
Sale of shares in EnviroWaste Services to Ironbridge

BDO Spicers 
Receivership of Target Pest Enterprises, including sale of five divisions to separate purchasers

EziBuy Limited 
Purchase of corporate wardrobe distributor Profile and sale of its schoolwear division to Postie Plus

NZ Windfarms Limited 
Joint venture with National Power and Babcock and Brown for the $80 million development of the Te Rere Hau Wind Farm

Westcoast Brewing Limited 
Capital raising by way of a public offer of securities

DataCol Investments Limited 
Sale of shares in its meter reading subsidiary to electric lines company, Electra

Arthur Ellis Limited 
Sale of its Fairydown and Great Outdoors division to Jan Cameron (previously of Kathmandu)

Confidential 
$125m refinance deal with Rabobank