He joins the firm’s real estate team in Christchurch
Dentons has appointed Edward Mackenzie as special counsel in its real estate team in Christchurch, with the firm saying the appointment supports its continued growth in New Zealand and strengthens its capability across Canterbury and the wider South Island.
Mackenzie joined Dentons on 20 July. He advises clients on commercial property, business acquisitions and disposals, commercial contracting, business structuring and estate planning.
He works with clients ranging from private individuals and family businesses to large corporate organisations. The firm said he provides commercially focused advice across complex legal matters while considering clients’ broader objectives.
Mackenzie has particular experience in commercial property, including acquisitions and disposals, property developments, leasing, financing arrangements and portfolio management. He also advises on business sales and purchases, shareholder arrangements, commercial contracts and other day-to-day business matters.
Before joining Dentons, Mackenzie practised at a specialist commercial property firm in Wellington and worked as an in-house property lawyer for an Australian multinational company. Earlier in his career, he gained experience in Australia and the UK across commercial law, dispute resolution and property matters.
Mackenzie’s experience also includes acting on the establishment and ongoing operation of a private commercial property fund, including constitutional and disclosure documents, capital raising, banking arrangements, acquisitions and portfolio management.
He has also advised an engineering manufacturing group on acquisitions under a regional roll-up strategy, a global seismic technology business on a joint venture, and a private development finance provider on construction and development finance transactions.
Michelle Hill, partner and business unit leader of real estate at Dentons, said Mackenzie’s appointment was another step in the firm’s continued growth.
“Edward is a highly regarded real estate lawyer with a strong commercial focus and an excellent reputation in the market”, Hill said. “His appointment strengthens our national Real Estate practice while reinforcing our commitment to growing our presence in Christchurch and supporting clients across Canterbury and the wider South Island".
According to Dentons, his appointment adds further depth to its national real estate team. Mackenzie said he was looking forward to working with colleagues across Dentons and assisting clients with property projects and transactions.
