Steven Lee

Background

Steven is a strategic and commercially focused lawyer who advises local and international clients on property, commercial transactions, and financing. His practice centres on guiding investors, developers, councils, and business owners through complex decisions with clarity, precision, and a strong understanding of commercial outcomes.

Having worked in leading Auckland and Melbourne firms, along with time at KPMG, Steven brings a rare blend of legal expertise, financial insight, and operational understanding across both New Zealand and Australian markets. This background makes him a trusted advisor to family offices, investment managers, property developers, and high net worth individuals, who rely on his ability to structure and execute transactions that balance commercial ambition with robust legal foundations.

As leader of our Asian Investment Team, Steven is fluent in Cantonese and deeply connected within the Asian business community. He regularly assists clients with cross‑border wealth planning, gifting, early inheritances, inter‑generational lending, and long‑term asset protection, ensuring that commercial intentions, governance frameworks, and personal considerations are aligned and properly documented.

Steven is known for his clear communication style and his ability to translate not only language, but commercial intent, procedure and legal risk. He works closely with clients to gain a deep understanding of their objectives. This is particularly valuable for international clients, who require careful and clear explanation of the law.

He also has significant experience in commercial buildings, development projects, hotels, luxury lodges, vineyard and viticulture transactions, advising on acquisitions, disposals, management contracts, sensitive land considerations, and succession planning for high‑value landholdings.

Expertise

Property

• Prime landmark assets acquisitions
• Land subdivisions, terrace housing, and apartment developments
• Public Works Act acquisitions (acting for councils) and disposals (acting for landowners)
• Commercial leasing for national and international retail brands
• Hotel, lodges, and vineyard management contracts
• Residential and commercial property due diligence and acquisitions
• Property dispute resolution

Commercial

• Franchising and licensing
• Business acquisitions and disposals
• Financing and loan arrangements including mortgages and securities

Overseas Investment

• Overseas Investment Office applications for land acquisitions
• Overseas and domestic financing and loan arrangements
• Enforcement and investigations by the Overseas Investment Office

Community work

A fluent Cantonese speaker, Steven is actively involved with various Asian business and community associations including:

• World Alcohol Beverage Alliance
• Franchise Association of New Zealand
• Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association
• Singapore Business Association New Zealand

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