Kelly McFadzien Kelly McFadzien

Kelly McFadzien

Partner
Auckland

Corporate & commercial

Kelly specialises in intellectual property, transactions and projects involving technology, infrastructure and outsourcing. She advises a wide range of clients across a variety of industries.

She returned to Chapman Tripp in 2010 after working for Baker & McKenzie in Hong Kong. While in Hong Kong, Kelly was part of a team providing preliminary advice to clients across a variety of industries on licensing, marketing and distribution of goods and services in China and across the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, she provided advice on technology and telecommunication transactions and issues.

Kelly is recognised as a Leading Lawyer by Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, a Notable Practitioner by IFLR1000 2023, a Leading Individual by Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024, and has been recognised as a Transactions Star by Managing IP 2022.

Recent highlights

Has advised:

  • Microsoft on a large number of commercial arrangements in New Zealand and Australia including licensing, sponsorship and other commercial arrangements together with general consumer and fair trading advice
  • Fonterra on the divestment of its Tip Top business to Froneri for $380m, including the negotiation of a long term licence and co-existence agreement for shared use of the Kapiti brand.
  • Mercury on the sale of its smart-metering business, Metrix, to intelliHUB Group for a cash consideration of $270m
  • ANZ Bank New Zealand on its sale of OnePath Life for $700m to specialist global insurer Cigna Corporation
  • a large number of clients on privacy and data collection issues associated with innovative new technologies including Microsoft, ANZ, Partners Life, Air New Zealand and Xiaomi
  • IT vendors and customers in Hong Kong and New Zealand on a range of contractual and major IT project issues including licensing, procurement of services, consumer and regulatory issues.

Kelly's insights

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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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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 assists Fonterra with Nestlé partnership to develop net zero carbon dairy farm

Chapman Tripp is pleased to have advised Fonterra on its new partnership arrangements with Nestlé, designed to help reduce New Zealand’s on-farm emissions and help both companies accelerate progress towards their greenhouse gas emission goals.

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Sharing jubilance with long-term client Partners Life

This month global life insurance specialist Dai-ichi Life Holdings Inc announced the purchase of 100% of the shares in Partners Group Holdings Limited, the parent company of Partners Life Limited.

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money

Sale of Kiwi Wealth business to Fisher Funds

We are pleased to have advised Kiwi Group Holdings Limited (KGHL) on the sale of Kiwi Wealth to Fisher Funds for NZ$310 million.

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Advising Sky on Lightbox deal

We advised Sky on its purchase of Lightbox, Spark’s streaming TV service.

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ice cream

Chapman Tripp trumpets sale of Tip Top

Advising Fonterra on the sale of its iconic ice-cream brand Tip Top to global ice cream manufacturer Froneri for $380m.

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Managing IP New Zealand Contentious Firm of the Year

​Chapman Tripp has won the New Zealand Contentious Firm of the Year Award 2019 at the Managing IP Asia-Pacific Awards.

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Others in the team

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