Dean Oppenhuis

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Dean is a transactions and projects lawyer, who is well-known for his commercial and pragmatic approach, with a particular focus on the technology sector.

Dean's expertise and experience covers a wide range of areas, from mergers and acquisitions, capital raisings, IPOs, employee share schemes and company and securities law to technology contracts, blockchain/smart contract projects and commercialisation of intellectual property.

Chambers Asia Pacific 2023 ranks Dean as a leading lawyer for technology, media and telecommunications. In a previous edition of Chambers Asia Pacific 2022, Dean was also ranked as a leading individual for technology, media and telecommunications and comments on his impressive track record. Clients commend him for providing "depth of experience and knowledge, with excellent customer service". Previous editions describe Dean as an "outstanding practitioner". Clients applaud his "comprehensive advice and tight, uncluttered drafting style". He is "well respected" and "has a deep understanding of the relevant markets, and gets in and gets the job done to an exemplary standard with a strong focus on clients' commercial objectives and a minimum of fuss."

Dean is ranked as a leading partner in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024 for technology, media and telecommunications. Clients say Dean is "great on strategic perspective." In a previous edition, Dean was regarded as "a key practitioner in the market."

Work highlights

Lightspeed Commerce acquisition of Vend
Advising Lightspeed Commerce, a NYSE- and TSX-listed leading provider of cloud-based, omnichannel commerce platforms on its proposed acquisition of Vend, an Auckland headquartered cloud-based retail management software company, for US$350 million.

Crown Fibre Holdings ultra-fast broadband initiative
Advising Crown Fibre Holdings on the Government's $1.5 billion ultra-fast broadband (UFB) initiative, including its partnering arrangements with each of Telecom (Chorus), WEL Networks and Northpower.

Xero IPO and capital raisings
Advising Xero on its successful IPO on NZSX, dual-listing on ASX, and its subsequent capital raisings (through private placements) and corporate work.

Martin Aircraft IPO
Advised the world's first commercial jetpack manufacturer, Martin Aircraft Company, on its IPO and listing on the ASX, and on corporate matters.

Department of Internal Affairs cloud computing programme
Advised the Department of Internal Affairs on the Government's cloud computing programme.

FX Networks takeover
Advised FX Networks on the takeover by Vocus Communications.

MyNetFone acquisition
Advised MyNetFone on its acquisition of Spark's international voice business.

Auckland Transport smartcard project
Advised Auckland Transport on the Auckland Integrated Fares Systems smartcard project (for the Hop card).

Vodafone
Advised Vodafone on its national mobility services project with NZ Police.

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Work highlights

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