The litigation team at Lane Neave is praised for its ‘broad range of speciality lawyers’ and ’very pragmatic’ approach. The practice advises a range of clients, from large companies and publicly owned entities, to smaller businesses and individuals. Spearheading the practice is commercial litigation and insolvency expert Ben Russell, who has been praised for his ‘spot on strategic advice’. Rebecca Scott is noted for her experience in a range of commercial and civil litigation disputes, while new hire James Cochrane (previously at Stace Hammond) has significant banking and finance, insolvency, and insurance experience.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team have a broad range of skill sets which enable clients to receive very professional and well-determined advice on all issues surrounding and relating to dispute resolution.'
‘We have used this firm for dispute resolution a number of times; they have the requisite skills for this type of work and have always provided advice in a timely manner.'
- ‘The team at Lane Neave are super flexible and hard working, very pragmatic and insightful about strategy, and very client outcome focussed. I love working with these guys.’
- ‘Ben Russell provides spot on strategic advice on time and on budget every time.'
- 'Both partners have a very clear view and understanding of the challenges faced by our organisation and have provided considerable support and very solid advice across a range of issues.'
‘Rebecca Scott is an excellent team leader, very accomplished in her commercial litigation and hugely hard workers for their clients.'
‘Lane Neave have a very broad range of specialty lawyers covering all aspects and fields.'
‘Good team with relevant experience to the case at hand. Competent, experienced and easy to work with.’
Key clients
- PKF Corporate Recovery & Insolvency (Auckland) Limited
- Orion New Zealand Limited
- Interleasing New Zealand Limited
- McMillan Shakespeare Limited
- Synlait Milk Limited
- Westland District Council
- Bathurst Resources Limited
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Trustees Executors Limited
- Deloitte New Zealand
- BDO New Zealand
- CEAS / 151 Insurance Limited
- North Ridge Living Limited
- Gerry Rea Partners
- Khov Jones
Work highlights
- Advising PwC as liquidators of Genetic Developments (NZ) Exports Limited Partnership, a livestock exporter which collapsed in September 2022 with a shortfall to over 50 farmer creditors of $12m.
- Representing a client in defending a claim brought by a group of 12 plaintiffs seeking recovery of approximately $4m losses arising from the 2017 Port Hills fires.
- Acted for Chris McCullagh and Steve Lawrence (PKF) as liquidators of Kaikorai Valley Properties Ltd (In Liq) in bringing a claim against WG Limited Partnership to recover assets for the benefit of the company’s creditors.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Ben Russell