Insurance law firm DLA Piper has appointed Michael Thompson and Heath Brunton as new partners in New Zealand.

Thompson holds extensive experience in the Australian, European and New Zealand banking and finance markets. He was recognised as a Next Generation Lawyer in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2017 and 2018. In his new role, Thompson will join DLA Piper’s finance, projects and restructuring team.

Brunton, meanwhile, will join the insurance law firm’s real estate team. Specialising in integrated housing and mixed developments, he has been instrumental in advising on a number of extensive urban regeneration and affordable and social housing cases both offshore and in New Zealand. He also holds particular experience in design-build leasing arrangements for large developments, agriculture, hotels and construction.

“We are delighted to welcome Michael and Heath,” DLA Piper NZ country managing partner Martin Wiseman said. “Being the only global law firm operating in New Zealand, we continue to attract top talent to our business.”

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