Duncan Cotterill acquires Mackersy Legal in Queenstown – growing its national footprint

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Duncan Cotterill is continuing its growth trajectory with the acquisition of Mackersy Legal in Queenstown and Christchurch, from 1 April 2021.

“We’ve been looking at opportunities in the Southern Lakes region for some time. We believe we have found the perfect match. Deeply rooted in the local community, Mackersy Legal has recognised sector leading expertise in property syndication and related legal work. We are delighted their team is joining us to open a Duncan Cotterill office in Queenstown to serve the Southern Lakes region,” said Jonathan Scragg, chair of Duncan Cotterill’s partnership and board.

Duncan Cotterill Queenstown will be led by three partners:

Louise McNaughton, a specialist in property syndication work and previous core member of the Mackersy Legal team;

Alastair Holland, a specialist in property, banking & finance and commercial law who was until recently a partner at Berry & Co’s Queenstown office; and

Richard Smith, a long-standing Duncan Cotterill partner with extensive expertise in corporate, commercial and property law across a range of industry sectors.

“The Mackersy team has developed a very successful property syndication and legal business over the years. We separated out the businesses in September last year. We feel the time is right to join forces with Duncan Cotterill, who really feel like a good fit for our team and clients. Duncan Cotterill’s backing will complement the existing team’s skills and services and take things to the next level,” said Adam Copland from Mackersy Legal.

“We have a number of existing clients who have a presence, or do business, in the Southern Lakes region. Adding a locally based, on-the-ground, team to become our fifth office will provide an added benefit to our existing clients. As a firm we strive to make a difference to the communities in which we operate. We hope to bring on other local clients who want a local, personalised service with the backing of a full-service national firm with specialist skills and resources available,” added Jonathan.

There is a strong values-alignment between Mackersy Legal and Duncan Cotterill and they have complementary practices and expertise. Mackersy Legal has strong property and conveyancing legal capabilities while Duncan Cotterill is a full-service national firm bringing specialists in infrastructure, construction, resource management, Overseas Investment Office, employment, health & safety, immigration, IP, litigation and relationship property.

The acquisition of Mackersy Legal by Duncan Cotterill sees current Directors, Adam Copland and Hamish Wilton, move exclusively into the Mackersy Property business and focus on commercial property syndication and asset management. Adam and Hamish will retain close contact and ties with clients and the Duncan Cotterill Queenstown team and will continue to be based in the Five Mile Precinct in Frankton.

Queenstown is Duncan Cotterill’s fifth New Zealand office, joining Auckland, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch-based teams. Duncan Cotterill will officially celebrate the opening of its Queenstown office in early May.

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