Hamish has a broad commercial practice and enjoys the diverse range of clients he works with across different market sectors.

Franchising

Hamish has a particular speciality in franchising, with 20+ years’ experience in this dynamic and exciting industry. He leads our national franchise practice and works with franchise clients all over New Zealand and overseas. Hamish is active in both the Wellington and national franchise scenes and is heavily involved with the Franchise Association of New Zealand.  

 

Corporate and Commercial

Hamish’s commercial work includes acquisitions and sales, structuring, financing, shareholder agreements, joint ventures, governance, compliance and contracts. He works with start ups and mature businesses of all sizes.

Property and Private Client

Hamish also has a busy property and private client practice that involves commercial and residential property, family trusts, asset protection and estate planning.

 

Hamish has developed a broad skillset from his time working as a law firm partner, sole practitioner and in house lawyer. He works collaboratively with other specialists at Duncan Cotterill to provide a cohesive service to clients that meets all their legal needs. 

 

Recent highlights

  • Assisting a new franchise system from conception through to launch, and with their ongoing requirements.
  • Assisting a franchisor with the restructure of their franchise system, preparing a new document suite and implementing the resulting changes.
  • Acting for a large group of franchisees in relation to issues with their franchisor and international franchisor and their extraction from that franchise system.
  • Assisting a large international business with the purchase of an interest in an expanding local business.
  • Assisting a number of clients with the acquisition of managed accommodation businesses, and ongoing assistance with managing their commercial lease portfolios.
  • Acting for the developer of a 40+ lot multistage subdivision.
  • Education pieces on the Trusts Act 2019, and advising a large number of clients on compliance and resulting changes to their trust and personal affairs.

 

Hamish's insights

Commerce Commission decision highlights cartel issues for franchises and rigorous test for collaborative activities

19 August 2022

Court of Appeal confirms manufacturer's duty of care in leaky building cases

29 October 2024

Modernising the Companies Act - what changes should we expect?

26 August 2024

We're driven by our values

They drive our client relationships and connections with our community, and underpin our achievements.

He tāngata

  • Honorary solicitor roles
  • Hosting of presentations and round tables for the annual Franchise Association of New Zealand Conference
  • Hosting of educational seminars, panel discussions, round tables and workshops for Franchise Association of New Zealand and franchise and retail businesses
  • Sponsorship of the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards

Excellence

  • Duncan Cotterill was a finalist in the Service Provider category at the Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards in 2019, 2021 and 2022

Enterprising

  • Member of the Franchise Association of New Zealand
  • Member of the Property Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society
  • Sit on the Franchise Association’s complaints panel

Authenticity

“Hamish Walker and his competent staff are true professionals in representing us as and when we have required their services and advice for over 5 years plus. They handled our legal situation with approachability, competency, professionalism, and understanding…Thank you, Hamish and Staff for a job so well done!” Wheel Magician 2019 and 2021

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