Dentons recognised in IFLR1000 2025 New Zealand rankings

Dentons has been recognised in this year's IFLR1000 rankings. The firm has been ranked in five practice areas, and 17 individuals have been recognised. Eight of our lawyers have been ranked Highly regarded for their practice area, with three Notable practitioners, two Rising star partners, three Rising stars and two Women Leaders.

We are proud to see Liz Lim and Christina Sheard recognised as "Women Leaders". This elite rating is reserved for an exclusive group of lawyers with outstanding reputations, working on the most complex deals in the New Zealand market.

For the first time, Gerard Dale has been ranked by IFLR1000, earning recognition as a "Noble practitioner" for M&A. The ranking reflects his growing reputation and the strong regard in which he is held by clients and peers alike.

2025 rankings

Ranked practices areas

• Banking and finance
• Capital markets
• M&A
• Project development
• Restructuring and insolvency

Women Leaders

• Christina Sheard - Project development (also ranked "Highly regarded")
• Liz Lim - Banking

Highly regarded

• Chris Parke - Project development, M&A
• David Shillson - M&A
• James McMillan - Restructuring and insolvency
• Martin Dalgleish - M&A
• Nicky McIndoe - Project development
• Paul Buetow - Energy and infrastructure, Project development
• Wook Jin Lee - Capital markets: Equity, M&A

Notable practitioner

• Gerard Dale - M&A
• Matthew Ockleston - Project development, Real estate acquisitions
• Nick Scott - M&A

Rising star partner

• Ezekiel Hudspith - Project development
• Katrina Van Houtte - Project development

Rising star

• Christine James - Corporate and M&A
• Nicole Thompson - Restructuring and insolvency
• Patrick Glennie - Restructuring and insolvency

Congratulations to all of our ranked lawyers and their teams.

IFLR1000 is the guide to the world's leading financial and corporate law firms and lawyers. Law firm rankings and lawyer ratings are based on three key criteria: transactional evidence, client feedback and peer feedback.

About Dentons

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