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Our People

Couch Harlowe Kovacevich is a full service boutique law firm with a team of dedicated experts. As a strategic partner to our clients, we focus on delivering the best commercially orientated solutions, tailored to business needs and project scope.

Nick Coyle Senior Associate

Nick Coyle Senior Associate

BA (University of Auckland), LLB (Victoria University of Wellington)

  • Profile
  • Experience

Nick is a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution team.

He has wide experience in commercial litigation and has acted for clients facing ‘white collar’ criminal and regulatory charges.  He has appeared in the District Court, High Court and the Court of Appeal as lead counsel at each level. 

His practice has a focus on complex contractual, property and insolvency related disputes.

  • Gundry v Director of Waka Kotahi [2023] NZDC 27122 – successful appeal against decision of Waka Kotahi to revoke appellant’s appointments as vehicle inspector and inspecting organization on the grounds that he had allegedly failed to comply with the conditions of his appointment.
  • ACC v P & anor [2023] NZDC 253378 – successful challenge to admissibility of key evidence on which ACC relied on to prosecute two defendants for allegedly substantial fraud.  Following the decision, the prosecutor withdrew most charges.
  • Re Fistonich, ex parte Calypso No 1 Ltd [2023] NZHC 78 – successful application by judgment debtor for approval of creditors proposal under Insolvency Act 2006 despite opposition by parties claimed to be owed millions of dollars.
  • WorkSafe New Zealand v Buttle [2022] NZDC 20694 – unsuccessful application to dismiss charges against ‘owners’ of Whakaari / White Island for alleged breaches of officers’ duties under s 44 of Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Charges were eventually dismissed during trial.
  • JDA Co Ltd v AIG Insurance New Zealand Ltd [2021] NZHC 2912 – unsuccessful representative claim by numerous Japanese car exporters under a marine cargo insurance policy known as the AIMS Scheme for damage to second-hand vehicles awaiting export from Japan caused by a typhoon.
  • TPD 2018 Limited v Godfrey and Company Limited [2021] NZHC 431 – successful claim to order an account of revenue received by a joint venture conducted by two firms of loss adjusters following the Christchurch Earthquake.
  • Dold v Murphy [2020] NZCA 313 – successful opposition to appeal against High Court decision declining claim in breach of fiduciary duty, breach of shareholder agreement and duress for recovery of AUD 2 million paid by Dold to Murphy to facilitate sale of AUD 112 million in shares in Cruise Whitsundays Pty Ltd.
Expertise
  • Complex contractual disputes
  • Mediation
  • Arbitration
  • Insolvency
  • Employment
  • Debt recovery
  • Defamation
  • Health and safety
  • Fair trading claims
  • Property law disputes
  • Construction disputes
  • Trust and estate disputes
Get in touch
DDI +64 9 217 1944
M +64 21 827 365
E nicholas.coyle@chk.law
Nick Kovacevich Partner

Nick Kovacevich Partner

BA, LLB (Hons), University of Auckland

  • Profile
  • Experience

Nick leads the Corporate and Commercial team at Couch Harlowe Kovacevich.

He specialises in mergers and acquisitions (both domestic and cross border), private equity and venture capital investment, and general corporate and commercial law.

Nick has been ranked as a Leading Next Generation Lawyer for M&A in the Legal 500.

  • Advising Tokyo Stock Exchange listed Nomura on its acquisition of Planit Software and on its subsequent acquisitions of Qual IT and SEQA.
  • Advising leading advertising agency, Thompson Spencer, on its merger with Reason.
  • Advising the shareholders of Orchestra on the sale of the company to Sharesies.
  • Advising ListAssist on its sale to Inside Real Estate, a US real estate technology company backed by private equity firm Lovell Minnick.
  • Advising Darby Capital Partners on the sale of shares in Noggin to New York Stock Exchange listed Motorola.
  • Advising US private equity firm, GenStar Capital, on its acquisition of Likewize from Brightstar Capital.
  • Advising the shareholders of DEFEND, New Zealand’s leading cybersecurity firm, on the sale of a majority stake in the company to Vodafone.
  • Advising the private equity arm of ASX listed Hancock & Gore, along with its portfolio company Mountcastle, on the acquisition of Argyle Schoolwear.
  • Advising Euronext listed EssilorLuxottica on its acquisition of a controlling stake in Optimed NZ, and then on the subsequent minority buyout of shares in the company.
  • Advising Chris Heaslip, the founder of NZX and ASX listed Pushpay, on his fully underwritten block trade sell down of Pushpay shares (which won an Excellence Award at the 2021 New Zealand Law Awards in the Equity Market Deal of the Year category).
  • Advising AF Drinks on the investment in the company by Convivialité Ventures, the venture capital arm of global beverage giant Pernod Ricard. 
  • Advising Whitecliffe Education (the owner of the Whitecliffe Universities) on its acquisition of a stake in MDH University (Mediadesign Hochschule), a leading German media design institution.
  • Advising Neo Engineering on the sale of its business to global engineering firm, Mott MacDonald.
  • Advising the purchaser on the MBO of Ogilvy New Zealand from London Stock Exchange listed WPP.
  • Advising Canadian Securities Exchange listed Tiidal Gaming on the sale of Sportsflare, its e-sports betting software business, to London Stock Exchange listed Entain.
  • Advising Hype & Dexter and its shareholders on the sale of the company to Avidly, a global digital marketing agency.
  • Advising Nasdaq listed Naked Brand Group on the management buyout of iconic New Zealand apparel business, Bendon.
  • Advising the shareholders of Forme SPA (New Zealand's largest day spa group) on the sale of the company to Endota (Australia's largest day spa group).
  • Advising Cardinal Logistics on a major logistics industry automation project.
  • Advising the founder of BePure Health, Ben Warren, on his selldown of shares to a private equity acquirer.
  • Advising leading New Zealand advertising agency, Stanley St, on its commercial contracting, client and campaign arrangements.
  • Advising the founders of Caci, New Zealand’s leading provider of skin and appearance treatments, on their share selldown to private equity firm Direct Capital.
  • Advising education technology company, Joy Business Academy, on its merger with Silicon Valley company, Tribal Planet, and its subsequent post-merger Series B Capital Raising.
  • Advising leading social media agency, Socialites, on a number of bolt-on acquisitions and contracts for key client accounts.
  • Advising Delta Insurance on its brokerage contracts and other commercial contracts, and also on its regulatory licensing.
  • Advising the purchaser on the management buyout of the National Business Review (NBR).
  • Advising Pan-African land developer, Rendeavour, on joint ventures for its development of new cities in Nigeria and Ghana.
  • Advising finance brokerage firm Vega on its merger with leading New Zealand real estate firm Bayleys.
  • Advising Maui Capital on a number of growth capital investments.
  • Advising Molteno Ophthalmic on the acquisition of its business by ASX listed Nova Eye Medical.
  • Advising Pioneer Capital and other private equity vendors on the sale of Konnect.
  • Advising the New Zealand Warriors on the sale of the club to a consortium comprising Auckland Rugby League and Autex.
  • Advising Church Property Trustees on its joint venture with the New Zealand Government for the regeneration of the Christchurch Cathedral.
  • Advising Nestlé on its acquisition of Pfizer’s global infant nutrition business.
  • Advising SKY TV on its Series A investment in 90 Seconds, which was led by Sequoia Capital.
  • Advising leading New Zealand growth technology companies on Series A and Series B capital raisings, including Pushpay, Vend and First AML.
  • Advising EnviroWaste on its sale to Cheung Kong Infrastructure.
Expertise
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Private equity and venture capital investment
  • Capital raisings
  • Shareholder arrangements
  • Joint ventures and strategic partnerships
  • Employee share schemes
  • Property syndications
  • Wholesale investment funds
  • Restructurings
  • Corporate governance
  • Commercial contracts (including supply, distribution and manufacturing)
  • Franchising and licensing
  • Intellectual property commercialisation
Get in touch
DDI +64 9 217 0544
M +64 21 851 444
E nick.kovacevich@chk.law
Aaron Harlowe Partner

Aaron Harlowe Partner

LLB (Hons), University of Auckland

  • Profile
  • Experience

Aaron leads the Dispute Resolution and Employment team at Couch Harlowe Kovacevich.

He has broad experience in commercial litigation with a focus on complex contractual disputes, insolvency and employment.

Aaron has appeared in the District Court, High Court and the Court of Appeal, the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court and regularly attends private mediations, arbitrations and judicial settlement conferences.

  • Acting for the liquidators of CBL Insurance Limited (McGrath Nicol) on various litigation and insolvency advisory matters.
  • Acting for the National Business Review (NBR) on various defamation proceedings.
  • Acting for SKY TV on claims against various streamers of pay per view content.
  • Acting for the administrators of Solid Energy.
  • Acting for the administrators of Postie Plus.
  • Acting for Cardinal Logistics on contractual disputes.
  • Acting for Bendon on manufacturing and supply disputes.
  • Acting for the liquidators of Denton Morrell Group (PWC).
  • Acting for the liquidators of Ziera Shoes (McGrathNicol).
  • Acting for the liquidators of FE Investments (Ernst & Young).
  • Acting for various banks on general debt recovery, bankruptcy and liquidation matters as well as complex recovery disputes.
  • Advising Inflite Group on employment matters and disputes relating to aircraft leasing rights.
  • Acting for employers on various employment matters including personal grievances, health and safety, restraint of trade enforcement and intellectual property theft.
  • Acting for various construction companies on payment disputes and other recovery related matters.
Expertise
  • Complex contractual disputes
  • Mediation
  • Arbitration
  • Insolvency
  • Employment
  • Debt recovery
  • Defamation
  • Health and safety
  • Fair trading claims
  • Property law disputes
  • Construction disputes
  • Trust and estate disputes
Get in touch
DDI +64 9 217 0744
M +64 27 416 9291
E aaron.harlowe@chk.law
Lauren Bridgford Solicitor

Lauren Bridgford Solicitor

LLB, Auckland University of Technology

  • Profile
  • Experience

Lauren is a Solicitor in the Corporate and Commercial team.

She previously worked at a large Auckland law firm and began her career as a Law Clerk working in general commercial law for a firm based in Remuera, Auckland.

She has broad experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate and commercial law and private wealth matters.

  • Advising the shareholders of DEFEND, New Zealand’s leading cyber security firm, on their share sale to One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone New Zealand).
  • Advising leading advertising agency, Thompson Spencer, on its merger with Reason.
  • Advising ListAssist on its sale to Inside Real Estate, a US real estate technology company backed by private equity firm Lovell Minnick.
  • Acting for Waitapu Group, the owner of advertising agency Stanley St, on the acquisition of PR agency Hustle & Bustle.
  • Advising wealth management firm, Enva Financial, on the acquisition of Aurora Capital and Aurora Financial.
  • Acting for accommodation and property management business The Urban Butler on its sale to Urban Rest.
  • Advising Neo Engineering on the sale of its business to global engineering firm, Mott MacDonald.
  • Advising a cosmetic company on the acquisition of a skincare brand.
  • Acting on behalf of the purchaser for a large toy business in New Zealand and Australia.
  • Acting on the acquisition of a large industrial equipment provider.
  • Acting on the establishment of employee share schemes for growth stage companies.
  • Acting for an industrial equipment supplier negotiating a demonstrator agreement with an automotive manufacturer.
  • Acting on behalf of the purchaser on a roll-up of hospitality businesses.
  • Drafting and reviewing terms of trade for construction companies, digital marketing agencies and commercial cleaning companies.
  • Acting on distribution agreements for various products and services.
Expertise
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Capital raisings
  • Shareholder arrangements
  • Joint ventures and strategic partnerships
  • Employee share schemes
  • Restructurings
  • Corporate governance
  • Commercial contracts (including supply, distribution and manufacturing)
Get in touch
DDI +64 9 303 3369
M +64 21 850 161
E lauren.bridgford@chk.law
Maxx Yeung Solicitor (Hong Kong-qualified)

Maxx Yeung Solicitor (Hong Kong-qualified)

LLB (Hons), BEng (CivE-Law) (Hons), University of Hong Kong | LLM, Victoria University of Wellington

  • Profile
  • Experience

Maxx is a Solicitor (Hong Kong-qualified) in the Dispute Resolution team.  

He was previously a Senior Associate at a full-service law firm in Hong Kong and a Consultant at a boutique law firm, where he regularly advised on various civil and commercial disputes, contractual claims, regulatory compliance issues, and financial market investigations.

  • Acted for a substantial shareholder of a Hong Kong-listed company in seeking an injunction order to restrain the sale of pledged shares and a Mareva injunction to freeze the proceeds of sale.
  • Represented an EV battery manufacturer in actions against its director for misappropriating and diverting the company’s clients and business opportunities, misusing company assets, and obtaining secret profits.
  • Acted for a securities broker in summary judgment proceedings against a margin account client, resulting in the enforcement of a judgment for HK$8 million.
  • Represented a mother and her minor daughter in a claim against the estate of the deceased husband for financial provisions.
  • Advised insurers on various claims related to personal injury, property damage, and public and statutory liability.
  • Acted for a family in establishing possessory title to a piece of agricultural land through adverse possession.
  • Represented an aggrieved postgraduate student in a legal action against a university for discriminatory treatment, leading to an unjustified termination of studies.
  • Acted for commercial parties in various loan disputes and debt recovery matters.
  • Represented financial service providers in regulatory investigations and disciplinary actions.
  • Advised a range of financial market participants, listed companies, and their officers on potential breaches of the code of conduct, statutory obligations and market misconduct.
  • Acted for a real estate agent facing a tax evasion charge, resulting in an acquittal after a 10-day trial.
Expertise
  • Corporate and commercial disputes
  • Contractual disputes
  • Debt recovery
  • Regulatory investigations
  • Property disputes
  • Contested probate
  • Insurance litigation
Get in touch
M +64 27 440 4436
E maxx.yeung@chk.law
Sarah Hilton Associate

Sarah Hilton Associate

BSoSc (Curtin University), LLB (Murdoch University)

  • Profile
  • Experience

Sarah is an Associate in the Corporate and Commercial team.

She is dual-qualified in both New Zealand and Australia.

She has previously worked at a boutique law firm in New Zealand and a leading Australian law firm, where she focused on public and private mergers and acquisitions and initial public offerings. 

She has broad corporate and commercial law expertise.

  • Advising the shareholders of DEFEND, New Zealand’s leading cyber security firm, on their share sale to One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone New Zealand).
  • Advising leading advertising agency, Thompson Spencer, on its merger with Reason.
  • Advising ListAssist on its sale to Inside Real Estate, a US real estate technology company backed by private equity firm Lovell Minnick.
  • Acting for Waitapu Group, the owner of advertising agency Stanley St, on the acquisition of PR agency Hustle & Bustle.
  • Advising wealth management firm, Enva Financial, on the acquisition of Aurora Capital and Aurora Financial.
  • Advising a cosmetic company on the acquisition of a skincare brand.
  • Acting for accommodation and property management business The Urban Butler on its sale to Urban Rest.
  • Acting on a number of major mining industry acquisitions and divestments.
  • Acting on a number of initial public offerings, including backdoor listings. 
  • Advising lister issuers on listing rule compliance and governance.
Expertise
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Equity capital markets
  • Capital raisings
  • Shareholder arrangements
  • Joint ventures and strategic partnerships
  • Employee share schemes
  • Restructurings
  • Corporate governance
  • Commercial contracts (including supply, distribution and manufacturing)
Get in touch
DDI +64 9 217 1844
M +64 21 501 175
E sarah.hilton@chk.law
Matthew Couch Partner

Matthew Couch Partner

LLB, University of Otago

  • Profile
  • Experience

Matthew leads the Property and Projects team at Couch Harlowe Kovacevich.

Matthew has extensive experience having worked in leading New Zealand and UK law firms, including advising on complex and large scale real estate acquisitions and disposals, commercial leasing, residential, commercial and industrial developments, unit title projects and property financing.

Matthew acts for both landlords and tenants, property developers, international property investors, and real estate focused private equity funds and wholesale investment funds, with a focus on delivering commercially focused solutions and advice for clients.

  • Acting for Broadway Property Group on significant property developments throughout Auckland. Notably, the recent new build development The Rise, located within Titirangi Village and comprising 2,300 square metres of office, retail and hospitality.
  • Advising on the due diligence, purchase, and financing of a substantial landholding in Milldale, Auckland, followed by off-plan leasing of retail and commercial premises to create a town centre for the area.
  • Advising a prestigious UK based property investment fund on the acquisition, disposal and day to day management of their New Zealand based property portfolio, which is in excess of NZ$100m.
  • Acting for an Australian based private equity firm in the real estate sector on the acquisition of iconic New Zealand coastal commercial property and hospitality assets.
  • Acting for the Northern Regional Council on the development and leasing of a prominent 3,400m2 retail centre within central Whangarei, comprising multiple prominent national tenants.
  • Advising leading New Zealand real estate firm, Bayleys, on a syndicated commercial development project.
  • Acting for Cardinal Logistics on all commercial property matters and projects, including significant industrial developments.
  • Acting for Cardinal Logistics on the purchase, development and leaseback of a 26 metre high stud 40,000 square metre fully automated warehouse that will be the first of its kind in the logistics industry in New Zealand.
  • Advising on the leasing, development, and financing of a 63,000 square metre area of land from Watercare Services Limited, to establish an industrial business park in South Auckland.
  • Acting for Ports of Auckland in respect of various aspects of its ground leases, including restructuring those leases.
  • Advising the “Silky Otter” Group on the development and leasing of a significant cinema portfolio throughout New Zealand.
  • Acted for Fletcher Building on a wide range of matters across its property portfolio.
  • Acted for Robt. Jones on the purchase of the AIG Building in Auckland’s CBD.
  • Acting for Crane Brothers on retail leasing matters.
  • Acted for NZ Post on all aspects of its property portfolio.
Expertise
  • Acquisitions and disposals
  • Property developments
  • Commercial leasing
  • Overseas investments
  • Subdivisions
  • Property financing
  • Property syndications and investment funds
  • Property joint ventures
Get in touch
DDI +64 9 217 0644
M +64 21 0239 5083
E matthew.couch@chk.law
Arthur Pan Associate

Arthur Pan Associate

BA, LLB, University of Auckland

  • Profile
  • Experience

Arthur is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution team. 

He advises on a wide range of complex commercial litigation involving insolvency, debt recoveries and contractual and civil disputes.  He has also acted for clients in the insurance space.  He has appeared in the District Court and High Court.

Prior to joining Couch Harlowe Kovacevich, Arthur worked at Duncan Cotterill.

  • Advising various insurers under the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO) Scheme.
  • Acting for a social worker on charges before the Social Works Disciplinary Workers Tribunal.
  • Acting for various insurers in fraud/non-disclosure, professional indemnity and material damage litigation.
  • Advising various insurers on policy coverage and response.
  • Acting for various businesses in insolvency and debt recovery matters.
  • Acting for a commercial lending business in enforcing a multi-million-dollar debt against a debtor.
  • Acting for individuals and businesses in civil and contractual disputes.
Expertise
  • Corporate and commercial disputes
  • Contractual disputes
  • Debt recovery
  • Insurance disputes
  • Professional indemnity claims
  • Construction disputes
Get in touch
DDI +64 9 302 0991
M +64 27 772 6790
E arthur.pan@chk.law
Michael Molloy Senior Associate

Michael Molloy Senior Associate

LLB, University of Auckland

  • Profile
  • Experience

Michael is a Senior Associate in the Property team.

His practice includes all aspects of property law. He acts for a wide range of clients including developers, property investment funds, family offices, property syndicators, institutional investors, corporates and private clients.

Michael has extensive experience in matters relating to significant property acquisitions in the residential, office, retail and industrial sectors, due diligence investigations, development projects and financing, leasing and disposals.

He has been recognised as one of the Best Young Lawyers in New Zealand aged 35 and under, and as a Future Legal Leader, by the Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer.

  • Advising leading New Zealand real estate firm Bayleys on acquisition and development financing.
  • Acting for Cardinal Logistics on commercial property matters and development projects, including significant warehousing developments comprising leasebacks and an automation system that will be the first of its kind in the logistics industry in New Zealand.
  • Advising Equipt on private construction equipment financing and working capital financing.
  • Administering the legal aspects for the commercial leasing portfolio of Broadway Property Group. 
  • Project support and contract administration for a 150 unit residential apartment development in Auckland’s CBD.  
  • Advising Development Empire on construction contracts and development financing.
  • Acting for Kāinga Ora in its redevelopment of land purposed for social housing.
  • Advising the executors of a deceased estate on complex title issues, including adverse possession and bringing deeds land under the Land Transfer Act 2017.
  • Advising a precinct developer on a global traffic management and corridor access contract with Auckland Transport to facilitate multiple interrelated work sites.
  • Acting for Crane Brothers on retail leasing matters.
  • Advising the “Silky Otter” Group on the development and leasing of a significant cinema portfolio throughout New Zealand.
  • Advising on and completing the buyout of a partnership interest in a significant international property investment partnership.
  • Advising and drafting construction contracts, including for the demolition and removal of housing and the construction of terraced housing and apartments.
  • Advising on subdivisions, unit title developments and complex title arrangements.
  • Guiding private clients through the process of buying and selling land, including large scale transactions. 
  • Advising private and Crown entities on property development financing, including tripartite and mezzanine arrangements.  
Expertise
  • Acquisitions and disposals
  • Property developments
  • Construction contracts
  • Financing
  • Commercial leasing and residential tenancies
  • Personal wealth and asset planning
  • Complex title issues
Get in touch
DDI +64 9 302 1628
M +64 21 815 980
E michael.molloy@chk.law
Avneet Kaur Associate

Avneet Kaur Associate

LLB, University of Waikato

  • Profile
  • Experience

Avneet is an Associate in the Property team.

Her practice includes all aspects of property law.  She acts for a wide range of clients including developers, property investment funds, family offices, property syndicators, institutional investors, corporates and private clients.

She has expertise in matters relating to significant property acquisitions in the residential, office, retail and industrial sectors, due diligence investigations, development projects and financing, leasing and disposals.

  • Administering the legal aspects for the commercial leasing portfolio of Broadway Property Group. 
  • Guiding private clients through the process of buying and selling land, including large scale transactions. 
  • Advising on subdivisions, unit title developments and complex title arrangements.
  • Advising Archer Property on real estate licences.
Expertise
  • Acquisitions and disposals
  • Property developments
  • Commercial leasing and residential tenancies
  • Property finance
Get in touch
DDI +64 9 302 1987
M +64 27 2858 151
E avneet.kaur@chk.law
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