David Coull

David is a leading transactions and regulatory lawyer, with over 20 years’ experience practising in New Zealand and abroad. He has particular expertise in the energy sector and overseas investment into New Zealand.

​​​​​​​​David advises on mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions, the negotiation of commercial contracts, joint ventures, and regulatory matters. He has a reputation for delivering robust commercial outcomes for his clients, getting transactions completed, dispute management, and effective representation of clients with regulators.

David was a finalist for New Zealand Dealmaker of the Year at the Australasian Law Awards in 2018 and 2020. In 2019, transactions led by David won M&A Deal of the Year and overall New Zealand Deal of the Year at the New Zealand Law Awards.​​

David is also ranked in the top tier of energy lawyers in Chambers Asia Pacific 2022, which commends his experience handling major transactions within the energy sector. One client describes him as an "outstanding commercial lawyer with good relationship skills and excellent legal and commercial judgement calls." Another says: "He was vital during negotiations and continues to give top-quality advice."

In previous editions, clients noted that David "knows the regulatory side of things inside out, and he is always good at coming up with refreshing ideas as to how to address the inevitable impasses that come up during delicate negotiations." Clients also commended David's "excellent counsel on development strategy" and “knowledge of New Zealand's regulations, great negotiating skills, strategic thinking and accessibility."

The IFLR1000 2022 names David as highly regarded for energy and infrastructure, and mergers and acquisitions. The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2021 also recommends David for projects and resource management (including environment). He was ranked as one of the leading 24 energy lawyers in the world by Who's Who Legal Thought Leaders: Energy 2017, following his first being named in the same publication in 2015.​

David's international experience includes a three year period at Cravath, Swaine and Moore, the leading US corporate law firm, where he acted for corporates such as Nestlé SA, ConocoPhillips, Bristol Myers Squibb and Citigroup on a wide variety of mergers and acquisitions and advisory matters.

He was appointed to the Board of the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority in 2014 and was re-appointed in 2017.​​​