Sarah Rees
LLB (Hons), BComPartner
- Commercial/Corporate
- Lisa Tanswell-Smith
- Legal Assistant
- T: +64 27 300 9033
- E: lisa.tanswell-smith@tp.co.nz
- Commercial Contracts
- Banking & Finance
- Forestry
- Restructuring
- Overseas Investment Office
Sarah brings more than 25 years' legal experience spanning private practice, international markets and in-house counsel roles for multinational organisations.
She advises clients on a broad range of corporate, finance, governance and commercial matters, including business acquisitions, financings, shareholder arrangements, overseas investment, business structuring, and commercial supply and procurement arrangements. Sarah is known for providing practical, commercially focused advice that helps clients achieve their strategic objectives while effectively managing legal risk.
Before returning to New Zealand, Sarah was a Senior Director at the London headquarters of one of the world's largest multinational banks. Following the 2008 global financial crisis, she led the legal team within the bank's Global Restructuring Group, overseeing the restructuring of transactions valued between £20 million and £1 billion and working closely with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
Sarah has a particular interest in sports law. A former New Zealand representative volleyball player, she advises national sporting organisations on governance, constitutional and commercial matters, bringing both professional expertise and a practical understanding of the sporting environment.
She also offers extensive commercial experience in the forestry sector. As sole New Zealand legal counsel to a major multinational forestry company, Sarah was responsible for all legal aspects of the company's forestry and sawmill operations, providing strategic advice across a wide range of operational, regulatory and commercial matters.
Earlier in her career, Sarah also held senior roles at magic circle firm Linklaters LLP in London, as well as Ashurst LLP in London.
Sarah is highly regarded for the time she invests in understanding her clients' businesses and industries. Her combination of technical expertise, commercial insight and pragmatic approach enables her to deliver solutions that are both legally robust and commercially effective. Sarah works across all Tavendale + Partners’ offices.
Sarah is also currently chair of the Nelson College school board of trustees, and has previously been a trustee of Sport Tasman.
Sarah works across all Tavendale + Partners’ offices.