Qualifications
LLB (Hons), BCom (Hons)(Economics), University of Otago; LLM, New York University.
Admitted
2014, New Zealand
William is a commercial litigation and dispute resolution specialist. He has a broad commercial practice with a particular emphasis on contentious property matters.
Clients ask for his advice on lease, acquisition, and development agreement disputes; trespass, nuisance, and negligence claims; and matters arising under the Public Works Act and Unit Titles Act.
An experienced litigator, William has appeared in the Court of Appeal, High Court and District Court, including as sole counsel. Before joining Chapman Tripp, he was a judges’ clerk at the Auckland High Court, gaining valuable insight into the full range of civil and commercial disputes.
Outside the court system, William has helped secure commercial settlements through the full range of alternative dispute resolution methods including mediations, judicial settlement conferences, construction adjudications and dispute boards.
Recent highlights
- Represented a client on a significant dispute arising under a sale and purchase agreement.
- Advised both landlords and tenants on the interpretation of repair and maintenance obligations in commercial leases.
- Helped several landlords and tenants resolve significant rent-abatement disputes arising out of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
- Advised major utility and infrastructure providers as well as private companies on their rights and obligations to neighbouring landowners, including defending trespass, nuisance, negligence and Rylands v Fletcher claims.
- Represented James Hardie in its defence of two significant product liability claims.
- Represented ANZ in its successful defence of claims relating to the alleged misselling of financial products.
- Represented contractors and principals in construction contract disputes involving major infrastructure projects in New Zealand and the Pacific.
- Advised clients on major competition and consumer law litigation.
