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Announcing the 2022 Best Lawyers in New Zealand

The 13th edition honors 564 lawyers across New Zealand, including top firms and standout individuals in 63 practice areas.

New Zealand flag for the 2022 Best Lawyers
Best Lawyers

Written by Best Lawyers

Published: April 14, 2021

Every year for 40 years we highlight the extraordinary accomplishments of those in the legal profession; completely unbiased legal referrals from the best attorneys in the world.

The 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers™ in New Zealand recognizes the professional excellence of more than 550 lawyers in 63 practice areas, including 55 “Lawyer of the Year” recipients. For this 13th Edition, Best Lawyers honored approximately 3.8% of practicing lawyers in New Zealand*. “Lawyer of the Year” honors are awarded annually to only one lawyer per practice area in each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinguishment.

Lawyers who are nominated for consideration are voted on by currently recognized Best Lawyers working in the same practice area and located in the same geographic region. Our awards and recognitions are based purely on the feedback we receive from these top lawyers. Those who receive high peer reviews undergo a thorough verification process to make sure they are currently still in private practice. Only then can these top lawyers be recognized by Best Lawyers.

Publication Statistics

Here are highlights from the 2022 13th Edition of The Best Lawyers ™ in New Zealand:

  • 564 Lawyers Recognized
  • 153 Firms with listed lawyers
  • 63 Practice Areas

Top 4 metro areas (by number of listed lawyers):

Top 10 practice areas (by number of listed lawyers):

  • Corporate Law (78)
  • Litigation (65)
  • Intellectual Property Law (63)
  • Banking and Finance Law (47)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law (46)
  • Labor and Employment Law(39)
  • Real Estate Law (34)
  • Capital Markets Law (26)
  • Insolvency and Reorganization Law (26)
  • Construction Law (25)

Top 10 most searched practice areas in New Zealand in 2020 on bestlawyers.com:

  • Labor and Employment
  • Law Health Care Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Litigation
  • Criminal Defense
  • Real Estate Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Family Law
  • Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Use the find a lawyer in New Zealand page to connect with experienced lawyers, and visit the Find a Lawyer page to explore additional legal expertise and resources worldwide.

*Based on information published by the New Zealand Law Society.

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Best Lawyers International

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

Marc J. Kessler
Marc J. Kessler
Taft
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Commercial Litigation
Franchise Law
Litigation - Health Care
Specific Focus
Sports
Recognized since 2012 by
Marc J. Kessler
Marc J. Kessler

Marc J. Kessler is an experienced trial lawyer who is widely regarded as one of the nation’s preeminent business litigators. He has extensive experience with large scale, “bet-the-company” matters and is widely recognized for his ability to handle the most complex and critical litigation issues . Marc’s expertise includes complex commercial transactions, procurement, healthcare, trade secrets and non-competition, product liability, business torts, real estate, intellec...

Marc J. Kessler
Marc J. Kessler
View Profile 614.221.0240
Bryan J. Venesy
Bryan J. Venesy
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Leisure and Hospitality Law
Real Estate Law
Recognized since 2016 by
Bryan J. Venesy
Bryan J. Venesy

Bryan Venesy guides clients through real estate deals with a focus on generating positive, tangible community development and client ROI. He negotiates and closes complex transactions, including real estate development, real estate finance, equity investments, affordable housing tax credits, community development, partnerships, joint ventures, leasing and general business matters. Bryan serves on the Real Estate department’s executive committee, and is co-chair of the firm’s Low-I...

Bryan J. Venesy
Bryan J. Venesy
View Profile 614.628.0096
Meredith K. Sugar
Meredith K. Sugar
Taft
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Corporate Law
Trusts and Estates
Recognized since 2021 by
Meredith K. Sugar
Meredith K. Sugar

Meredith K. Sugar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Trusts and Estates. Meredith K., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Meredith K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Meredith K. Sugar
Meredith K. Sugar
View Profile 614.221.2838
Brent D. Rosenthal
Brent D. Rosenthal
Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law
Real Estate Law
Specific Focus
Commercial
Recognized since 2020 by
Brent D. Rosenthal
Brent D. Rosenthal

Brent Rosenthal joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in July 2007. Brent focuses on representing closely-held businesses and their owners in a broad scope of their legal needs including – business formation and structuring, finance, transactions (including acquisitions and contract preparation and analysis), employment and general business and legal counseling. Brent’s commercial real estate practice includes representing buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants and developers in th...

Brent D. Rosenthal
Brent D. Rosenthal
View Profile 614.628.0772
James D. Abrams
James D. Abrams
Taft
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Appellate Practice
Commercial Litigation
Specific Focus
COVID-19
Recognized since 2016 by
James D. Abrams
James D. Abrams

Jim Abrams represents clients in civil litigation matters with a focus on commercial litigation and appellate practice. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Jim works with businesses and individuals involved in complex disputes in state and federal courts. He draws on decades of business and financial leadership experience to help clients address litigation challenges with practical, business-minded counsel. Before entering the legal profession, Jim held executive leadership positions at both publicly tr...

James D. Abrams
James D. Abrams
View Profile 614.221.2838
Geoffrey S. Kunkler
Geoffrey S. Kunkler
Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Trusts and Estates
Recognized since 2021 by
Geoffrey S. Kunkler
Geoffrey S. Kunkler

Geoffrey Kunkler joined Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP in 2014 and has been a Partner since 2018. His practice is centered around estate planning for individuals and business owners, as well as asset protection planning for retirees. He focuses primarily on the areas of estate planning, elder protection, estate administration, charitable and philanthropic planning and special needs planning. He also has extensive experience in conducting educational seminars on legal topics related to his e...

Geoffrey S. Kunkler
Geoffrey S. Kunkler
View Profile 614.628.0806
Joseph J. Golian
Joseph J. Golian
Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote PC
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Insurance Law
Transportation Law
Recognized since 2013 by
Joseph J. Golian
Joseph J. Golian

Joseph J. Golian is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Transportation Law. Joseph J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph J. Golian
Joseph J. Golian
View Profile 614.258.6000
Mary Barley-McBride
Mary Barley-McBride
Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote PC
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Recognized since 2007 by
Mary Barley-McBride
Mary Barley-McBride

Mary Barley-McBride is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Mary, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mary is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mary Barley-McBride
Mary Barley-McBride
View Profile 614.258.6000
John A. Gambill
John A. Gambill
Taft
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Commercial Litigation
Construction Law
Litigation - Construction
Recognized since 2024 by
John A. Gambill
John A. Gambill

John A. Gambill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. John A., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John A. Gambill
John A. Gambill
View Profile 614.221.2838
Gregory J. Dunn
Gregory J. Dunn
Taft
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Municipal Law
Specific Focus
Common Carrier
Recognized since 2007 by
Gregory J. Dunn
Gregory J. Dunn

Gregory J. Dunn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Gregory J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gregory J. Dunn
Gregory J. Dunn
View Profile 614.221.2838

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