Presenters

Ben Hickson, Partner, Corporate and Commercial team, Hesketh Henry
Ben is a Partner in the Corporate and Commercial Team. Originally trained in Hesketh Henry’s commercial property team, Ben re-joined the firm’s commercial group after seven years working as a corporate lawyer at international law firms in Southeast Asia.  Ben advises on a range of corporate and commercial transactions including merger and acquisitions transactions, foreign investment, joint venture arrangements, corporate governance matters, commercial licencing, and other business regulatory issues. He has been recognised as a recommended lawyer by The Legal 500.


Graeme Switzer, Partner, Duncan Cotterill
Graeme specialises in mergers and acquisitions, company restructurings, securities offerings, and general corporate and commercial law. He has advised public companies, multinationals, government entities, accounting firms and medium sized enterprises and regularly advises overseas companies on New Zealand merger and acquisition transactions and broader New Zealand legal matters. Graeme’s experience includes advising on a range of business sales and purchases for New Zealand companies and large overseas based multinationals, as well as for medium sized enterprises. Other examples of his experience include advising on joint ventures, New Zealand securities law issues related to overseas mergers, issues relating to overseas businesses setting up New Zealand branches and generally advising on a range of commercial contracts. Graeme has been practicing law since 1999.


Julika Wahlmann-Smith, Partner, Corporate and Commercial team, Hesketh Henry
Julika advises on a wide range of corporate and commercial law issues, including reviewing and advising on mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, terms of trade and distribution agreements, foreign investment, advertising campaigns, consumer law, and intellectual property rights. Julika is recognised as a Next Generation Partner by The Legal 500.