Russell McVeagh partners Mei Fern Johnson and Troy Pilkington's outstanding work and client service has been honoured for a fifth year in the Lexology Client Choice Awards 2025.
Mei Fern and Troy have each been named the Exclusive New Zealand Winner in their respective areas of M&A and Governance, and Competition Law. Uniquely, nominations are submitted by corporate counsel, with criteria focused on a lawyer's ability to add real value to a clients' business above and beyond others in the market.
Mei Fern Johnson, M&A and Governance Client Choice Award Winner, New Zealand.
Feedback from Mei Fern's clients included:
- "Mei Fern provides far more than just legal advice, it's akin to having a legal and strategic advisor in one".
- "Mei Fern is a trusted advisor in every sense of the word. She always seeks to really understand our business, our pressures and our risks. This extends beyond the information needed to address the legal issue; she understands all the factors we are balancing in deciding how to approach an issue - reputation, other stakeholders, Government and delivery expectations".
- "Mei Fern is an excellent listener and takes a very calm, considered approach to working through any areas where we run into disagreement with others, always keeping an eye on the long game".
Mei Fern advises on M&A and complex commercial contracting, with particular expertise in investment in infrastructure, technology, transport and energy (including oil and gas) projects, and joint ventures and collaborative contracting.
Mei Fern recently advised on a number of significant market transactions including: Mobil Oil NZ, the biggest shareholder in fuel terminal operator Channel Infrastructure, on selling its stake in a $72.6 million block trade; the proposed acquisition of OMV NZ assets (being the largest owner and operator of oil and gas exploration assets in NZ); acquisition of the Sapura assets in NZ, which is part of a USD$903 million transaction; Beijing Capital Group on the $1.9 billion sale of Waste Management NZ; and, Amber Infrastructure Group on the acquisition of a portfolio of PPP assets for $200 million – which won the Mid-market Deal of the Year at the 2024 NZ Law Awards).
Troy Pilkington, Competition Client Choice Award Winner, New Zealand.
Clients praised Troy through the independent research process, with feedback including:
- "His insight is invaluable as it allows us to get value for money, and save time, when advising our stakeholders".
- “Troy is excellent at distilling the key competition law issues from complex commercial scenarios and communicating the key issues and his advice succinctly”.
- “Troy is highly regarded and a leading expert in his field. He consistently provides timely and commercial legal advice”.
Troy is one of New Zealand's most highly regarded competition and antitrust, consumer, and regulatory lawyers. His expertise covers the full range of the competition and antitrust, consumer, and regulatory practice areas – including advice on mergers, joint ventures, market studies, advertising, marketing and product recall issues, and Commerce Commission investigations.
Troy regularly advises a number of New Zealand's major banks, insurers, retailers, and electricity and telecommunications businesses, as well as leading private equity funds that are active in New Zealand.