DLA Piper makes three senior promotions

DLA Piper has announced a new round of promotions in New Zealand, with three lawyers stepping up to senior roles.

Tom Barnes, Aoife O’Gorman and Pavanie Edirisuriya have ascended to the role of special counsel. DLA Piper New Zealand managing partner Laura Scampion congratulated the three on their promotions, noting that “the value and energy they bring to the firm and clients is unmatched.”

Barnes is a member of the financial services and funds management team in Wellington. He has experience dealing with spectrum of issues relevant to fund managers, trustees, custodians, distributors and their service providers. 

In particular, he advises clients on establishing new and innovative products, regulatory compliance, governance, and legal risk management. He also helps offshore fund managers gain access to retail and institutional markets in New Zealand through different mechanisms, such as master-feeder structures, wholesale market exemptions, and interjurisdictional mutual recognition arrangements. 

O’Gorman is a dual-qualified solicitor, having been admitted to the Bar of Ireland and the New Zealand High Court. Her work spans a broad range of corporate matters, such as M&A, corporate reorganisations, and corporate governance.

She also has extensive expertise in acquisition financing, insolvency and restructuring, and real estate development financing. Prior to joining DLA Piper, she served as in-house legal counsel for ANZ Bank New Zealand.

Edirisuriya has broad knowledge in the overseas investment regime. She plays a key role in all overseas investment transactions handled in New Zealand. Her clients include overseas investors across the agriculture, forestry, and wine sectors.

Moreover, she handles various corporate matters related to corporate governance, M&A, commercial contracts, consumer law, and the Gambling Act. She has helped DLA Piper complete all its recent international transactions requiring consent from the Overseas Investment Office.