Former partner was previously Executive Director and Head of Strategy at Heartland Bank from 2013 to the end of 2015.
Chapman Tripp has welcomed back former partner Michael Jonas who has returned to the firm, joining the banking and finance practice as a consultant this week.
Jonas, who was a Chapman Tripp partner between 1998 and 2006, was previously Executive Director and Head of Strategy at Heartland Bank from 2013 to the end of 2015.
In the role, he led the mergers and acquisitions team, identifying strategic growth opportunities and leading the product development team. Prior to that, he was General Counsel at Heartland, from 2010 to 2013.
“I see my move to Chapman Tripp as a logical next step, returning to what I see as the leading law firm in the New Zealand market, after having gained valuable insights and experience from my time within the executive team and at board level in Heartland Bank,” Jonas said said.
The seasoned lawyer aims to take advantage of his unique experience in his corporate stint particularly his insight into and understanding of the perspective of corporate clients.
“I hope to use this appreciation and understanding to assist Chapman Tripp in continuing to develop strong partnerships with clients across the financial services sector, and help provide innovative solutions to the issues facing them in a rapidly changing world,” Jonas said.
“This is not so much a ‘new adventure’, but the next phase in my current adventure – and I am dying to get my teeth stuck into the role. It is exciting to join a high performing team, and bring to it a slightly different bundle of skills and experience,” he added.
Chapman Tripp chief executive partner Nick Wells is excited to see how Jonas’ will bolster the firm’s banking and finance practice.
“We are delighted to see Michael return to the firm and look forward to his fresh insights into client experience. We think he will be an extremely valuable contributor to Chapman Tripp,” Wells said.
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Jonas, who was a Chapman Tripp partner between 1998 and 2006, was previously Executive Director and Head of Strategy at Heartland Bank from 2013 to the end of 2015.
In the role, he led the mergers and acquisitions team, identifying strategic growth opportunities and leading the product development team. Prior to that, he was General Counsel at Heartland, from 2010 to 2013.
“I see my move to Chapman Tripp as a logical next step, returning to what I see as the leading law firm in the New Zealand market, after having gained valuable insights and experience from my time within the executive team and at board level in Heartland Bank,” Jonas said said.
The seasoned lawyer aims to take advantage of his unique experience in his corporate stint particularly his insight into and understanding of the perspective of corporate clients.
“I hope to use this appreciation and understanding to assist Chapman Tripp in continuing to develop strong partnerships with clients across the financial services sector, and help provide innovative solutions to the issues facing them in a rapidly changing world,” Jonas said.
“This is not so much a ‘new adventure’, but the next phase in my current adventure – and I am dying to get my teeth stuck into the role. It is exciting to join a high performing team, and bring to it a slightly different bundle of skills and experience,” he added.
Chapman Tripp chief executive partner Nick Wells is excited to see how Jonas’ will bolster the firm’s banking and finance practice.
“We are delighted to see Michael return to the firm and look forward to his fresh insights into client experience. We think he will be an extremely valuable contributor to Chapman Tripp,” Wells said.
Related stories:
Chapman Tripp eyes robust M&A throughout 2016
Kiwi firm advises on IPO and NZX, ASX dual listing
