John Elwood - Managing Director
Contact
Mobile 027 547 0775
Email john@elwoodlaw.co.nz
I’m a contracts specialist, having over 30 years’ experience in drafting and negotiating a vast array of different contracts. I love the process of understanding the objectives and risks for each party, and efficiently putting together a fair contract that both parties can accept.
I trained initially as a property and commercial lawyer at Russell McVeagh, but in 1990 I move to the UK where I worked as an ICT commercial manager and procurement specialist for British Telecom, BP Amoco and UBS Warburg. This work outside of the law gave me a solid understanding of the commercial and business side of doing deals. In 2001, I returned to NZ to work at Chapman Tripp as an ICT lawyer. In 2006, my interest in science led to an in-house legal role at the Ministry of Research Science and Technology (now part of MBIE) and on to Industrial Research Limited (now part of Callaghan Innovation) where I advised on research and commercialisation agreements. My wife and I founded Elwood Law in 2010, and I’ve worked there since.
With the benefit of this varied experience, I am able to bring a pragmatic approach to my work. I am adept at understanding the business objectives for client deals, and the key risks that could compromise them. This keeps my work appropriate, timely and efficient. My experience also allows me to work at the intersections of several disciplines - law, technology, procurement, management and governance. I thrive working in large, complex projects, where I’m as valued as much for my project management, commercial and negotiation input as I am for my legal and drafting skills.
Most of my clients are Government departments and agencies. I am also a senior Gateway Reviewer.
Education
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
BCA, 1985
LLB, 1990
Qualifications
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR OF THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND
Admitted 1990
SOLICITOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Admitted 1996
CERTIFIED GATEWAY REVIEWER
Lucy Elwood - Consultant
Contact
Mobile 021 25 25 879
Email lucy@elwoodlaw.co.nz
I love helping clients progress complex issues, whether it’s assisting with governance arrangements, determining strategy, risk management, negotiations or otherwise.
A lot of my consulting work involves being a sounding board for people, helping them think through different strategies and approaches for getting to their desired outcomes. I enjoy working as part of a multi-discipline team, and relish the challenge of programme recovery – helping to deliver an improved outcome after a programme of work has hit turbulence.
The other key part of my consulting work at Elwood Law is helping to train and develop in-house teams, with a particular focus on procurement and contracting.
I bring to my engagements my experience from previous management roles. I was previously the Chief Executive of the Cancer Society of New Zealand, and held various in house legal roles (such as the Head of Legal, Regulatory and Risk role at Trade Me). I have a breadth of experience across diverse sectors (infrastructure, health, e-commerce and more) and have also worked for a range of different entities (I’ve held senior roles in listed companies, Not For Profit, and have also been seconded into public sector roles).
Outside of Elwood Law, I hold various governance roles on entities providing infrastructure and services that New Zealand needs. I have held Board roles on electricity distribution businesses (Electra Networks and Unison Networks), a social housing provider (Te Toi Mahana), Council Controlled Organisations (such as Greater Wellington Rail), health charities and a school board. Plus I’ve been a member of a number of steering groups, audit and risk committees and Gateway reviews.
I don’t currently hold a practising certificate, although I did work as a lawyer for almost 20 years. Rather than providing legal advice, I help on other aspects of projects, training and leadership development and involve John where legal advice is required.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND
LLB (Honours) and BSC (Biology) (1996-2001)
Qualifications
INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS
Chartered Member since 2016. Member since 2013
Certificate in Company Direction 2014
BARRISTER AND SOLICITOR OF THE HIGH COURT OF NEW ZEALAND
Admitted 2001. Note I was a lawyer for almost 20 years, and last held a practising certificate in March 2020.
GATEWAY REVIEWER
Interwoven Law
Contact
Website www.interwovenlaw.co.nz
Elwood Law is a founding member of Interwoven Law, an alliance of lawyers from separate legal practices who share resources and experience to better help their clients. As a group, Interwoven Law has capacity to support projects of almost any size and has deep experience across procurement, contracts, technology law, privacy, public law and governance.