Graeme Switzer

Partner

Grae specialises in mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, securities offerings and general corporate and commercial law. He has advised public companies, multinationals, government entities and medium sized enterprises.

Grae regularly advises overseas companies on New Zealand M&A transactions and broader New Zealand legal matters. He takes an active role in the firm’s international practice and works frequently with international clients and law firms.

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His experience includes advising on a range of business sales and purchases for iconic New Zealand companies and large overseas based multinationals as well as for medium sized enterprises, start-ups and founders. He also advises on joint ventures, overseas investment consent, New Zealand securities law issues related to overseas mergers, issues relating to overseas businesses setting up New Zealand branches and generally advising on a range of commercial contracts. In addition, Grae regularly advises on structuring matters, such as the establishment of companies, joint ventures and limited partnerships.

Grae has been practicing law since 1999. He joined Duncan Cotterill in 2011, following over five years with a large top tier firm and, prior to that, several years with well known Sydney-based firms. Grae has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Auckland, a Bachelor of Laws from the Victoria University of Wellington and Master of Laws (specialising in Corporate Law) from the University of Sydney.

Recent highlights

M&A transactions

  • Acting for a leading international logistics group on the New Zealand aspects of its transactions.
  • Acting for a European shareholder with multi-national operations to buy out the New Zealand shareholders in an agribusiness enterprise.
  • Acting for an ASX-listed company to buy a New Zealand technology start up from its founders.
  • Advising a New Zealand founder on the sale of a company providing electrical solutions to a European buyer with an international presence.
  • Advising an ASX-listed company on the divestment of its chemicals distribution business.
  • Advising an ASX-listed company in the business of supplying building products on multiple New Zealand transactions.
  • Advising overseas founders on the sale of a company in the business of designing and selling equipment used in the fibre optics industry to a New Zealand buyer.
  • Acting for an Australian company on the acquisition of a chemicals manufacturer and distributor from its New Zealand founders.
  • Advising an Australian company on the buy out of the New Zealand shareholder in a New Zealand agribusiness company.
  • Acting for the New Zealand founders on the sale of their financial services companies to a subsidiary of a global private equity firm.
  • Advising a New Zealand financial services company on multiple New Zealand acquisitions.

Capital raising and investments

  • Advising a New Zealand financial services company on its capital raising.
  • Acting for the founders of a New Zealand biotechnology company and advising on its initial capital raising rounds.
  • Advising an international investment company on its equity investment in a New Zealand consultancy start-up with global operations.

Joint ventures

  • Advising on the establishment of a limited partnership involved in a commercial property investment and joint venture, along with the general partner arrangements as well as a related joint venture between shareholders to conduct a business on the site.

Graeme's insights

Limited Partnerships in New Zealand

19 May 2015

Disruption needed in personal banking services - Commerce Commission

25 March 2024

Know-how series: Trade marks – protecting what’s important

7 March 2024

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