Ranking tables
Restructuring/Insolvency | Asia-Pacific
New Zealand
Rankings overview for Departments
Russell McVeagh 16 Years Ranked- Buddle Findlay
- Chapman Tripp
Dentons New Zealand 16 Years Ranked- Anthony Harper
- TWA Legal
Steve Flynn Simpson Grierson15 Years Ranked- David PerryBuddle Findlay
- Mike WhaleTWA Legal
Matthew Kersey Russell McVeagh16 Years Ranked- Michael HarperChapman Tripp
James Caird Simpson Grierson15 Years Ranked
Josh Cairns Simpson Grierson8 Years Ranked
Sean Gollin MinterEllisonRuddWatts16 Years Ranked- Scott AbelBuddle Findlay
- Scott BarkerBuddle Findlay
James McMillan Dentons New Zealand12 Years Ranked- Lynne Van Lane Neave6 Years Ranked
Michael Langdon MinterEllisonRuddWatts16 Years Ranked
Richard Gordon MinterEllisonRuddWatts6 Years Ranked- Crispin VinnellAnthony Harper
- Jennifer TunnaTWA Legal
- Will TippingMayne Wetherell
- Alex MacDuff Russell McVeagh1 Years Ranked
- Jane Innes-JonesMayne Wetherell
- Janko MarceticChapman Tripp
All Departments profiles
Band 1

1 Russell McVeaghRestructuring/Insolvency2026 | Band 1 | 16 Years RankedRussell McVeagh's multidisciplinary practice excels at a range of insolvency and restructuring issues, from creditor rights enforcement to finance-related regulatory disputes. The firm is noted for the quality and diversity of resources it can apply to litigation proceedings, including on cross-border insolvency. The team regularly acts on mandates for international businesses with New Zealand operations and on referral from global law firms handling the collapse of multinationals. The team boasts further expertise in fraud and derivative actions, as well as finance-related regulatory, personal property law and security disputes.
Band 2

2 MinterEllisonRuddWattsRestructuring/Insolvency2026 | Band 2 | 16 Years RankedMinterEllisonRuddWatts regularly handles high-profile restructurings and insolvencies alongside major insolvency firms in New Zealand. The firm is a trusted adviser to New Zealand's major banks, handling contentious and non-contentious workout and liquidation matters. The team also acts for directors of liquidated companies in response to claims alleging breaches of their duties; for liquidators on clawback claims; application for directions from court; and asset disposals. Asset transfer disputes, distressed debt sales and corporate restructurings are some of the practice's particular areas of expertise.

2 Simpson GriersonRestructuring/Insolvency2026 | Band 2 | 16 Years RankedSimpson Grierson is recognised for its accomplished handling of all aspects of restructuring and insolvency work and is frequently engaged to advise on insolvency disputes and complex receiverships. The team regularly works on complex debt restructuring matters, acting for both receivers and banks. Simpson Grierson boasts an impressively deep bench of experts, with offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, who have a range of specialist knowledge, including in the agriculture, construction, financial services and retail sectors.
Band 3

3 Dentons New ZealandRestructuring/Insolvency2026 | Band 3 | 16 Years RankedDentons has a well-established domestic restructuring and insolvency team based in Auckland and Wellington and also benefits from the global Dentons network. The team regularly acts for banks, insolvency practitioners and creditors on a range of issues, including receiverships, administrations and risk management. The firm is especially respected for its work on insolvency mandates arising in the construction and property sectors, and for advising on debt recovery. The team is additionally well-versed in matters concerning enforcement, priority disputes and voidable transactions.