About Us

Profile

Personal approach

At Dawson & Associates we offer a personal and friendly approach to business, coupled with the efficiency gained from robust systems.

Specialist experience

We've provided legal advice to the maritime industry for 20 years.  We pride ourselves in offering practical legal advice and support, and being able to find creative solutions that meet our clients needs.

We interact on a daily basis with port operators, vessel owners, marine insurers and ships registries, amongst others.

Read about our history here

Our Values 

• Building enduring client relationships
• Acting with honesty and integrity in all business relationships
• Protecting the confidentiality of client and business information
• Continually evaluating and improving the way we do business
• Developing staff potential and encouraging creativity
• Reinvesting time and expertise into the community

Our Associates

We work regularly with a well established network of associates to deliver cost effective solutions for our clients.  These associates include:

• Specialist accountants familiar with the fiscal implications of structuring companies in the maritime and fishing industry
• Ship's agents
• Customs brokers familiar with immigration and customs consequences of importing or exporting vessels
• Surveyors

Our People

At Dawson & Associates we focus on recruiting and developing talented and well qualified staff.

Our director has 20 years experience of maritime legal issues in New Zealand and overseas.  Our non-legal staff contribute key business skills that keep the practice running smoothly, and are informed and up-to-date with developments in the maritime industry.  All our staff are actively involved in assisting clients. 

Meet the team

In the Community

We are proud supporters of:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters Nelson
• World Vision

Recent Achievements

• Two significant maritime judgements in the High Court of New Zealand and one in the Court of Appeal
• The successful representation of a coastal barge owner from liability arising from a barge capsize
• Two signficant asset restructures involving asset values of $10m
• Numerous vessel registrations, including cargo vessels, luxury yachts and fishing vessels
• Detailed submission on the Port and Harbour and Navigation Safety Management Discussion Paper
• Establishment of a coastal cargo (breakbulk and containers) operation including purchase of vessel, flagging and chartering structures
• Advised on the development of the Cook Islands Ship's Register and drafted the Cook Islands Admiralty Jurisdiction Act