Martin Thomson is a leading lawyer in cross-border M&A and investment transactions, including those requiring consent under the Overseas Investment Act. He also advises on corporate law, joint ventures and commercial contracts.
Martin has over 30 years' experience as a corporate lawyer. His clients are based both in New Zealand and offshore. He regularly advises offshore clients on the issues involved acquiring assets or making investments in New Zealand. He has extensive experience assisting overseas clients to obtain consent under the Overseas Investment Act in New Zealand. He also advises clients on appropriate investment structures in New Zealand.
Martin advises clients involved in a diverse range of industries including particularly the forestry, agriculture, wine, food processing, insurance and financial services, technology and venture capital sectors. He has a particular focus on the primary sector.
Martin has worked on a large number of M&A transactions in the forestry sector in New Zealand for both sellers and buyers. He also has extensive experience advising on a number of the day-to-day legal matters arising in relation to forestry assets including forestry rights, Crown forestry licences, wood supply contracts, stumpage supply contracts, access arrangements, joint ventures, the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, forest management arrangements and Treaty of Waitangi settlements.
Martin is Chairman of the New Zealand China Trade Association, which promotes and strengthens business relationships between New Zealand and China. He is also a board member of the New Zealand China Council. He heads the firm's China practice, which focuses on providing advice to organisations undertaking investments between China and New Zealand.
