Jessica Marshall

Jessica has been practising law since 2008 and joined Harmans in 2013. She was appointed Partner in 2021 and now jointly leads the firm’s commercial and property law team.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (English) from the University of Canterbury, and has gained valuable experience working in law firms in both Auckland and London. She advises clients across a broad range of commercial and property matters, with particular expertise in business sales and acquisitions, residential and commercial conveyancing, leasing, refinancing and restructuring, franchising, and general commercial transactions.

Jessica works with clients across a diverse range of industries, including industrial and manufacturing, trades, healthcare, retail, and hospitality (encompassing the food and beverage, accommodation, and tourism sectors). She is known for her practical, commercially focused approach to delivering effective legal solutions.

Jessica is also a member of the Property Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society and the Canterbury Women’s Legal Association.

Committed to making a positive impact in the community, Jessica founded the Harmans Good Deeds Programme, which encourages staff to take a day of paid leave each year to volunteer and support local organisations, charities, and events. She also acts as honorary solicitor for the Sumner Tennis & Squash Club.

Some of Jessica’s recent work includes:

• Advising successful small to medium-sized businesses on their general commercial affairs, including acquisitions, disposals, and succession planning.
• Acting for a large hospitality group on business acquisitions, leasing arrangements, and ongoing commercial matters.
• Advising a major commercial property investor on the acquisition and leasing of commercial buildings, as well as financing and construction matters.
• Supporting commercial landlords and tenants with lease obligations, including assisting with rental relief negotiations during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly within the hospitality and tourism sectors.
• Advising healthcare practitioners on business structuring, acquisitions, and disposals.
• Drafting bespoke shareholder agreements tailored to companies across a range of industries and ownership structures.