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Ko koe, ko au, ko tāua. You, me, we.

Our alumni network is for anyone who’s worked with us, wherever you are now. Join our community to reconnect with old colleagues and stay informed about firm updates, events and work opportunities.

Are you one of our alumni?   

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Events

Our last alumni events were in Auckland and Wellington in February 2024. To view our full alumni photo gallery click here.

To ensure you receive an invite please update your contact details or email Manaaki Rimene-Sproat.

 

Alumni newsletter

Read our newsletter to keep informed about firm updates, events and work opportunities.

Newsletter Archive

Where are they now?

Chapman Tripp alumni live and work in fascinating roles all over the world and we like to stay connected. We caught up with a few of our alumni to see where their careers have taken them.

Leo Faingataa
Associate, Clifford Chance LLP, Dubai

Judge Andy Nicholls
Wellington District Court Judge

Carolyn Mortland
Co-founder, Futureful

Why I came back

Guy Houghton-Jones, Senior Associate

Guy re-joined Chapman Tripp in February 2022 after spending three and a half years away. This included two and a half years with Allen & Overy in London, and the year prior studying for an LLM in New York.

The culture of the firm was central to my decision to return. I had good memories of the professionalism, collegiality and sociability of Chapman Tripp from my first few years at the firm, and I wanted to come back to be part of that culture again.

While I was ready to return to New Zealand, and enjoy the relaxed environment, proximity to friends and family and access to nature, I still wanted work of the calibre I experienced in London. At Chapman Tripp, I regularly work with global businesses on really significant deals – there is plenty of opportunity to challenge myself and grow professionally.

In some ways, it’s as though I never left! Coming back was very straightforward and Chapman Tripp even provided an allowance to help with relocation expenses. It has been easy to re-integrate into the team, and I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to work both with colleagues from my first few years and with team members who joined more recently.

I’ve also particularly enjoyed the opportunity to apply experience gained in London in the New Zealand market.

Join Us

We are always keen to hear from talented people with an interest in either a legal or business services role – and, that’s whether we have vacancies advertised or not. 

View our current opportunities

Referral rewards

Alumni are eligible for out recruitment referral rewards, which can be earned through the successful introduction of a candidate into a permanent position at Chapman Tripp. For more information contact our People & Culture team.

Key contacts

Sam Moodley
Talent Acquisition Specialist

Michelle Maidens
Talent & Capability Manager

Our latest news

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Chapman Tripp named Firm of the Year at IFLR Asia Pacific Awards

Chapman Tripp has won two awards at the IFLR Asia-Pacific Awards, which celebrate the achievements of the financial law community.

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Legal opinion finds regulatory settings discouraging some investment options for KiwiSavers

KiwiSaver investors should have the option to benefit from an asset class that can deliver long-term value.

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Three Senior Associates recognised by NZ Lawyer as Rising Stars

We are delighted that Kishan Gunatunga, Rachael Jones and Rosa McPhee have been recognised as Rising Stars by NZ Lawyer.

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Philip Ascroft appointed to NZ Shareholders’ Association board

Chapman Tripp Senior Associate, Philip Ascroft has been appointed as an Associate Director to the board of the NZ Shareholders’ Association (NZSA).

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Chapman Tripp named KangaNews NZ Law Firm of the Year for eighth consecutive year

We are thrilled to have been recognised as the New Zealand Law Firm of the Year at the 2023 KangaNews Awards; our eighth consecutive win. Our finance team were also advisers for two of the other award winners.

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Celebrating twelve new Senior Solicitors

Chapman Tripp is delighted to announce the appointment of 12 new Senior Solicitors, effective 1 December, 2023.

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sienna spiral

Chapman Tripp advises on multiple winning deals at 2023 New Zealand Law Awards

Chapman Tripp is proud to have advised on four of the winning deals at this years’ New Zealand Law Awards: M&A Deal of the Year, Equity Market Deal of the Year, Mid-Market Deal of the Year and Project Finance Deal of the Year. Demonstrating the breadth of Chapman Tripp’s transactional practices, the firm also advised on ten deals that were recognised with excellence awards.

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Chapman Tripp advises Eastland Group on sale of 50% stake in Eastland Generation

Eastland Group has sold a 50% stake in its electricity generation business to Japanese construction conglomerate Obayashi Corporation. Chapman Tripp advised long time client Eastland Group on all aspects of the sale including structuring, vendor due diligence, regulatory matters, and negotiation of transaction documentation with multiple bidders

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Two Chapman Tripp Partners on NZ Lawyer’s 2023 Elite Women List

We are delighted that Chapman Tripp Partners Rachel Dunne and Nicola Swan have been included on NZ Lawyer’s 2023 Elite Women List. The list includes 50 exceptional female leaders that have influenced the New Zealand legal profession in a way that demonstrates a passion for the law.

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Construction & Major Projects specialist promoted to Partner

We are pleased to welcome a new Partner with the promotion of Kylie Mutch − a construction and major projects specialist. Since joining Chapman Tripp in 2010, Kylie has advised numerous leading New Zealand businesses, bringing a wealth of experience to large-scale construction projects across a wide variety of sectors, including infrastructure, energy, transport, health, airports and commercial. She advises on all aspects of project procurements and has particular experience with the alliance contracting model.

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Congratulations to our new Special Counsel

We are pleased to announce the promotion of Jeremy Gray to Special Counsel. Jeremy is a lawyer in our Corporate & Commercial practice, with particular expertise in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital. He advises clients on a range of matters including sale and purchase agreements, limited partnership agreements, joint venture agreements and other commercial contracts.

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Chapman Tripp advises Pepper Money on prime residential mortgage portfolio acquisition

Chapman Tripp is delighted to have advised Pepper Money Limited on its a binding agreement to acquire the New Zealand prime residential mortgage portfolio of HSBC. This is a significant deal in the New Zealand market for a non-bank lender.

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Two new attorneys for Chapman Tripp Patents

We are delighted to announce that two new patent experts have joined our rapidly growing practice, Chapman Tripp Patents. We welcome Senior Associate, Toby Larsson Hogman and Patent Attorney, Hossein Mehrabi.

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solarZero and New Zealand Green Investment Finance pave the way for new solar financing

solarZero has again partnered with New Zealand Green Investment Finance to become the cornerstone participant in a new NZGIF Solar Finance programme.

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Debt capital markets heating up

Last week was one of the busiest on record for New Zealand issuers in the debt markets, with six offers pricing over the course of the week. After a slow start this year, the record-breaking issuance levels are a positive indicator of the markets’ health.

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New Property Partner for Chapman Tripp Christchurch

We are delighted to announce that Ingrid Taylor is joining our Christchurch team as a Partner in our Property practice. Ingrid is an experienced and successful property practitioner, and previously led Christchurch firm, Taylor Shaw.

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Wellington City Council finalises significant deal under the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act

We are delighted to have advised Wellington City Council on its significant deal under the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act. The deal, which includes an innovative funding model which will fund the construction of a new sludge minimisation facility at Moa Point.

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Chapman Tripp announced finalist in 2023 Women in Business Law Awards

Chapman Tripp has been announced as a New Zealand Firm of the Year finalist in the 2023 Women in Business Law Awards, and four of its Partners have also been shortlisted, highlighting their accomplishments and contributions to the legal profession.

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Mānawatia a Matariki: A lot to celebrate this Matariki

Te Waka Ture, Chapman Tripp’s Māori Business Team, finds much to celebrate and reflect on in its Trends & Insights publication Te Ao Māori, released today to mark Matariki.

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Chapman Tripp advises Vector on sale of 50% interest in Vector Metering to QIC

We are delighted to have advised Vector on the sale of 50% of its New Zealand and Australian metering business, Vector Metering, to QIC Private Capital for an EV of NZ$2.5b and gross proceeds to Vector of NZ$1.7b.

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Chapman Tripp advises Infratil on $935m equity capital markets raising

Chapman Tripp has advised Infratil on its $935m equity capital markets raising to part fund the acquisition of Brookfield Asset Management’s 49.9% stake in One New Zealand (One NZ) for $1.8 billion. For more information, read our press release.

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Class actions on a growth path making policy reform urgent

Class actions are on a growth trajectory in New Zealand, fuelled by a mix of factors including increased interest from offshore funders, growing share market activism, increasing data security risk, and a stronger consumer focus in commercial regulation. Our latest publication Class Actions in New Zealand takes stock of the class action landscape in New Zealand.

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Chapman Tripp advises Connexa on $1.076 billion deal to acquire 2degrees’ passive cell tower assets

Chapman Tripp advised Connexa on $1.076 billion deal to acquire 2degrees’ passive cell tower assets. Connexa agreed to acquire 1,124 passive mobile telecommunication towers from 2degrees in December 2022 and the transaction is now complete. In connection with the transaction, 2degrees entered into a 20-year services agreement with Connexa, under which Connexa will provide access to space on the towers. 2degrees has also committed to an additional 450 tower tenancies with Connexa.

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Partner appointed to Takeovers Panel

Chapman Tripp Partner Rachel Dunne has been appointed to the Takeovers Panel, the independent Crown entity that regulates New Zealand's takeovers market.

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Chapman Tripp assists NZ Steel on landmark decarbonisation agreement

Chapman Tripp is delighted to have advised New Zealand Steel and BlueScope on the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry partnership funding agreement between NZ Steel and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), to build an electric arc furnace at NZ Steel’s Glenbrook steel works, south of Auckland, for a total cost of around NZ$300 million.

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