Laura McPhail

Laura McPhail

Senior Associate

Laura McPhail is a Senior Associate who works across the commercial and property teams. Laura lives in Wanaka and works across our offices with clients based on both sides of the hill.

Laura acts for a wide range of clients, from start-up businesses to large-scale commercial clients, advising on corporate commercial matters and property developments. 

She has particular expertise in advising on commercial contracts and transactions as well as large-scale property development projects and subdivisions.

Laura’s recent experience includes:

• Property development structuring and titling for a number of local subdivisions. This includes preparing and reviewing sale and purchase agreements and covenants, advising on private infrastructure arrangements and development agreements with QLDC and service providers, setting up residents’ societies, attending to development financing and completing titling.

• Business/share acquisitions and disposals. This includes businesses involved in tourism, visitor accommodation, childcare, technology, and the trades. As part of this, Laura frequently prepares and reviews shareholders’ agreements.

• Business restructuring. Most recently Laura attended to restructuring a technology business operating in New Zealand and positioning to expand into overseas markets. This included setting up a Limited Partnership and preparing business franchise documentation.

• Reviewing and drafting terms of trade for a number of local businesses.

Laura enjoys getting to know the details of her clients’ businesses and working with her clients to achieve their desired outcomes.

Laura graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Laws (First Class honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology). Laura has a strong affiliation with the Queenstown Lakes District and has spent all of her legal career working in either in Queenstown or Wanaka. 

Qualifications

• LLB Hons (First Class Honours), BA  - University of Otago

Expertise

Corporate and Commercial	Property
Insolvency and Restructuring	Private Client