Judith Harper Email Address

Senior Solicitor

Russell McVeagh is one of the oldest established law practices in New Zealand, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2013. The firm was established as a one-man practice by John Benjamin Russell in 1863. He was joined by various partners until he was succeeded at the firm by his son Edward in 1893. In 1904, Robert McVeagh joined the partnership and remained involved in the firm until his death in 1944; the firm has held the Russell and McVeagh names ever since. In 1969 the firm merged with McKenzie & Bartleet to become Russell McVeagh McKenzie Bartleet & Co., the name it held until 2000, when it became known simply as Russell McVeagh. In 1988, the firm established its Wellington office with four founding partners to become a truly national firm - which means that in 2013 as well as celebrating the firm's 150th birthday, we are also celebrating the 25th birthday of the Wellington office. Over the years Russell McVeagh has been involved in a number of high profile transactions and cases, from the growth of the Auckland Harbour port in the late 1800s; shipping rights in the early 1900s; playing a leading role in the aftermath of the Erebus tragedy; following the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior in the 1980s; and right up to the creation and evolution of New Zealand's largest company, Fonterra. The firm appointed its first female partner in 1987 and established its first website in 1995, one of the first law firms in New Zealand to do so. From its beginnings as a one-man practice, the firm has grown to a two-office, 41-partner firm acting on behalf of some of the country's largest and most influential companies. But the current Auckland office is just metres from the its earliest location on 'Shortland Crescent', and the firm's tradition of outstanding legal work has continued from its founders up to today.

I advise on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, with a special interest in technology, aviation and aquaculture businesses. I have broad and extensive corporate and commercial expertise, having acted for many years for some of New Zealand’s largest corporates and Government departments. A large part of my practice involves the drafting and negotiation of, and advising on, commercial contracts for both New Zealand and international corporates and Government departments. In particular, I have provided advice on many supply, distribution and services arrangements (including many large cross border supply and distribution agreements), technology contracts, aircraft sales, financing and leases, shareholder agreements, and various aquaculture related contracts, such as waterspace licensing and supply arrangements. Over the years, I have also provided extensive advice on consumer law issues faced by both small and large businesses, and had continuous involvement in many M&A transactions.My technology experience includes advising on:•complex ICT outsourcings;•software development, licensing, support and maintenance, hosting and escrow agreements;•systems integration, hardware, data centre and managed services agreements;•agreements for the development and ongoing operation of websites, including advising on associated terms of use;•IT/IP aspects of M&A transactions, including transitional services arrangements and separation issues.