Michelle Hill Senior Associate

"I have been practising property law in the Auckland CBD for over 16 years.  In that time I have developed extensive expertise in the full spectrum of property law from acquisitions, disposals and leasing of significant property assets to subdivisions and development projects.  I have particular expertise in negotiating complex leasing structures including design-build projects.  

I strive to negotiate the best terms for my clients and to add value to their transactions by maximising opportunities and minimising exposure to future liabilities.  I aim to deliver clear and timely advice to equip my clients to make sound commercial decisions. 

I ensure I am up-to-date with legal developments and am an accredited member of the Property Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society.  I also regularly write on legal developments in property law and have presented several seminars on property topics.  I am a member of a number of property industry groups."

Transaction experience

• Acquisitions and disposals: I have acted in the acquisition and disposal of numerous property assets.  This has included agreement negotiations, due diligence (including large scale projects), funding and settlement.


• Development (fee simple, unit title and leasehold subdivisions, reconfiguration of easement rights, land covenants preserving development rights and land exchanges).


• Leasing (commercial, industrial and retail):  I have managed several large leasing portfolios for a number of institutional investors.  This has included acting on all leasing matters for owners of shopping malls and bulk retail.  I have negotiated a wide variety of design-build projects for both landlords and tenants and drafted bespoke proforma lease precedents for landlords.  I have acted for landlords faced with tenants going through insolvency events including liquidation, receivership and administration and advised on a myriad of leasing issues including reinstatement and lease end obligations.


• Unit titles: I provide advice regarding rights and obligations under unit title ownership including compliance advice to bodies corporate, advising landlord clients regarding Unit Titles Act 2010 issues and implications under their leases and working with bodies corporate to develop new operational rules.