With more than 30 years' experience in corporate, commercial and banking and finance law, Paul Hartland works with numerous national and international clients.
He has built a commanding practice and been involved in many large or notable transactions.
Paul's background enables him to view legal issues in a wider business context. He is a qualified chartered accountant of more than 35 years and had an early career in merchant banking. He is a former managing partner, board member and international representative of a larger New Zealand law firm.
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Paul leads Agate Legal's advice on a range of corporate, commercial and banking and finance matters. Further details about the types of work undertaken by the firm can be found on the Services page of this website.
Paul is known for his ability to quickly grasp the complexities of issues in context and obtain successful outcomes for clients based on high quality legal advice, a strong eye for detail, commercial nous, a high level of drive and a level of pragmatism where befitting. He is a trusted adviser to many organisations.
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Prior to founding Agate Legal, Paul spent 23 years (18 as a partner) in the national firm referred to above and then 8 years as a partner/director at a boutique corporate and commercial law practice based in Auckland.
Agate Legal's way is to intensely focus on its clients and not to prioritise limelight. Nonetheless, Paul has been recognised in a number of legal directories, based on client reviews.
The 2019 and 2020 editions of The Legal 500 Asia Pacific rank Paul as a Leading Individual in the Corporate and Mergers and Acquisitions category and describe him as a "key partner for complex banking matters" and as "handling large banking and finance mandates for Australasian corporates". That 2019 edition also contains client comment describing Paul as "very client-focused with strong industry knowledge, great attention to detail and excellent strategic insight".
The IFLR1000 2017 noted a client as stating "I have a long-standing professional relationship with Paul developed over many years. He is my go-to person for legal advice on many company-related matters."
Examples of client comment reported in other legal directories can be made available on request.