2020 Winners
Quick links
FIRM AWARDS
EMPLOYMENT LAW SPECIALIST FIRM OF THE YEAR
Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law
WINNER
- “Involved in multiple complex litigations, including TUV v The Chief of New Zealand Defence Force (2020) – represented the Chief of New Zealand Defence Force, Hospice New Zealand v Attorney-General (2020), CBA v ONM (2019) Also appeared in the Employment Relations Authority on numerous occasions”
- “Partners and lawyers presented and chaired at more than 50 conferences over the past year. Partner Johanna Drayton joined the Association of Workplace Investigators Committee in 2020, providing webinars on investigations to a global audience. Partner Steph Dyhrberg is a prominent campaigner for pay equity and made numerous submissions on the issue with the recent passing of the Equal Pay Amendment Act 2020”
- In May 2019, it was announced the firm would manage Sport New Zealand and High Performance Sport NZ’s interim independent complaints mechanism; contracted by Sport NZ to run an independent complaint service for people involved in gymnastics at all levels
- Dundas Street
- Richard Upton
LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION SPECIALIST LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
Gilbert Walker
WINNER
- “Acted for the former directors of Feltex in the liability and loss phase of a $200m class action arising from the IPO in 2004. Advised a major listed issuer on numerous disputes arising out of a $450m construction project that suffered significant delays and cost overruns” “Acted for a major bank that was facing a litigation-funded class action brought by investors following the collapse of a financial adviser revealed to have been operating a Ponzi scheme.
- Acted for The Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of NZ in successful appeals to the Supreme Court in relation to a proposed West Coast coal mine and to the Court of Appeal in relation to a seabed mining operation off the Taranaki coast”
- “Three partners are members of the interim legal assistance panel for the Royal
Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based
Institutions in Aoteoroa New Zealand. The firm and a number of its individual lawyers are
ranked for dispute resolution in numerous leading legal directories”
- Morris Legal
- Norling Law
- Wilson Harle
WESTERN UNION BUSINESS SOLUTIONS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SPECIALIST LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
AJ Park
WINNER
- “Largest patent and trade mark filer in New Zealand – from April 2019 to March 2020, AJ Park filed more than 2,000 patent applications in 57 countries and more than 3500 trade mark applications in 79 countries. Acted on contentious oppositions, revocations and infringement matters for a range of clients”
- “Largest team of IP specialists in New Zealand. Reached an agreement to acquire fellow IP firm Baldwins. In 2019, topped IP Stars’ New Zealand rankings and named as a leading firm in a variety of rankings and awards”
- “Experience across a range of technologies and industry sectors, including agriculture, horticulture and forestry, biotechnology, life sciences and pharmaceuticals, software and ICT, mechanical and electrical engineering, manufacturing, medical technology, fashion, retail, and FMCG. Thirteen team members have PhDs in science or engineering”
- James & Wells
PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION SPECIALIST LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
Thompson Blackie Biddles
WINNER
- Since inception, has been instructed on transactions and development work worth in excess of $4.5bn, including some of New Zealand’s largest property transactions.
- Mandated on projects in excess of $1.2bn over the last 12 months, including the development of Wellington’s newest premium office tower; an industrial property fund establishment and acquisition, due diligence, sell-down and future leasing of properties; and a proposed purchase of an approximately $80m industrial property in central Auckland.
- “Greg Thompson continues to serve on the boards of pharmaceutical and property companies. Joe Biddles has chaired the property section of the Legalwise Seminars Property Law Conference for the past six years. Sam Greenwood lectured the Property Law course for the Bachelor of Property at the University of Auckland. TBB Directors are highly ranked for their real estate law work”
- AlexanderDorrington Lawyers
- Domain Legal
INSURANCE SPECIALIST LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
Fee Langstone
WINNER
- “Largest group of insurance law specialists in New Zealand. Acts for most of the country’s major insurers and many overseas insurers”
- The firm and a significant number of partners have been ranked highly across multiple legal directories and are widely acknoweldged for their accurate, practical and reliable advice
- The partners and senior lawyers regularly present to industry bodies such as IBANZ, NZ Law, ANZIIF, the New Zealand Law Society and NZILA
- Gilbert Walker
- Shine Lawyers New Zealand
- Wotton + Kearney
BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
Gilbert Walker
Winner
- “Acted for the former directors of Feltex in the liability and loss phase of a $200m class action arising from the IPO in 2004. Advised a major listed issuer on numerous disputes arising out of a $450m construction project that suffered significant delays and cost overruns”
- “Acted for a major bank that was facing a litigation-funded class action brought by investors following the collapse of a financial adviser revealed to have been operating a Ponzi scheme. Acted for The Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of NZ in successful appeals to the Supreme Court in relation to a proposed West Coast coal mine and to the Court of Appeal in relation to a seabed mining operation off the Taranaki coast”
- Three partners are members of the interim legal assistance panel for the Royal
Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based
Institutions in Aoteoroa New Zealand. The firm and a number of its individual lawyers are
ranked for dispute resolution in numerous leading legal directories”
- Flacks & Wong
- Hudson Gavin Martin
- Morris Legal
- Webb Henderson
ARTEMIS EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT EMPLOYER OF CHOICE (< 50 LAWYERS)
Juno Legal
WINNER
- Agile methodology with a flat structure and open strategy into which all team members contribute, along with an egalitarian approach that promotes engagement and collaboration. Remuneration structure promotes initiative and social contribution”
- “Team members have autonomy to develop practice areas that interest them and are rewarded for business development efforts with those clients they attract. Firm donates 1% of profits to a charity or cause supported by each different lawyer or practice professional”
- “Director leads by example and takes an active leadership role. Supports people with endeavours beyond Juno, working collaboratively on joint projects, turning away work that would overload the team and helping with child care. Shares the Juno team model at diverse events, including the 2020 New Zealand Judges Clerk’s Conference, Lawfest 2020, a Macquarie University’s Law Masters paper on innovation and the 2020 Future Firm Forum in Queenstown”
- AJ Park
- Layburn Hodgins
- Webb Henderson
ARTEMIS EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT EMPLOYER OF CHOICE (51-100 LAWYERS)
Tompkins Wake
WINNER
- “Signatories to NZLS Gender Equality Charter, adopting the Gender Equitable Engagement and Instruction Policy. Seventy-seven per cent of staff are women, 42% of partners are women, 50% of senior managers are women, and 66% of recent partner promotions have been women. Thirty per cent of employees work flexibly. Supports ALWU and runs regular resilience training to help staff develop and maintain good mental health”
- “Zero Harm Programme with zero tolerance for bullying, harassment and sexual harassment. Career mapping to demystify promotion processes and clarify career progression requirements. New Lawyer Programme provides informal access to partners and leaders, along with support, guidance and encouragement. Mentoring programme pairs all authors up to associate level with an internal or external mentor to find the best fit for their development. Senior Leaders Programme teaches senior associates and partners to model the firm’s values and lead high-performing teams. Trans-Tasman Exchange allows four staff per year to visit another law firm and experience their culture and observe their working practices”
- “Employee Assistance Programme is available free 24/7 to all staff and their families Free legal services for conveyancing and discounted legal fees for personal matters. One of three NZ law firms piloting the Australian Legal Sector Alliance, which is designed to help law firms measure and improve sustainability and corporate social responsibility”
- Anthony Harper
ARTEMIS EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT EMPLOYER OF CHOICE (> 100 LAWYERS)
Russell McVeagh
WINNER
- “Business strategy of culture at the heart of strategic priorities. Introduced a balanced scorecard that weights leadership and financial performance equally. Ensured people have time for rest and restoration by identifying those working extended hours on a consistent basis, putting in plans to actively manage workload and give time back”
- “Implemented zero-tolerance bullying and harassment policies, processes and various ‘speak up’ channels. Rolled out firm-wide Respect Workshops and other cultural competency training. Established peer-nominated People & Transformation Committee. Established Diversity & Inclusion Programme with five D&I committees. Redesigned governance and management structure to ensure there are clear roles and accountabilities”
- “Wide portfolio of programmes covering technical, people and business development. Helps develop solicitors’ careers through external experience such as secondments, maintaining strong networks with clients and overseas firms for solicitors wishing to work offshore, and a ‘buddy system’ for new solicitors”
- Bell Gully
- Buddle Findlay
- Chapman Tripp
- Dentons Kensington Swan
- MinterEllisonRuddWatts
RESOLUTION INSTITUTE MEDIATOR OF THE YEAR
Paul Sills, Mediator & Barrister
WINNER
- “Obtained Fellowship with AMINZ. Awarded the Anne Edge Memorial Award for Excellence in Fellowship Mediation. Appointed as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London”
- “Contributes monthly on mediation for the New Zealand Law Society magazine and regularly on mediation for an Australia-based legal CPD provider. Has written and presented extensively on cognitive biases and their effect on mediation. Engaged by the Ministry of Primary Industry to run a workshop for their investigators on cognitive biases”
- “Competition judge/mediator for the 2019 CC University Commercial Mediation Asia- Pacific competition. Competition judge/mediator for the global ICC University Commercial Mediation competition in Paris and became the first debutante competition judge/mediator to be invited to judge in the finals. One of three mediators appointed by Fairway in Auckland to conduct relationship property mediation. A mediator on the panel for the Franchise Association of NZ”
- Everard Halbert, Sand Steps
YOUNG PRIVATE PRACTICE LAWYER OF THE YEAR (35 OR UNDER)
Angela Harford, Bell Gully
WINNER
- “Promoted to partnership in January 2019 and recognised by NZ Lawyer as a Rising Star committed to making a difference. Advised a range of public-sector entities on major procurement and tendering processes, including PPP procurement and significant and high-profile projects”
- “Advised Ferrovial SA, a global infrastructure company, on the NZ aspects of its multi- million-dollar divestment. Advised the Ministry of Defence on strategic procurements. Advised the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and Department of Corrections. Advised Contact Energy on the sale of its underground gas storage facility”
- “Was part of Infrastructure New Zealand’s delegation of senior public- and private-sector leaders to Asia in 2019 to explore new ideas and approaches to delivering infrastructure, as well as to interface and build relationships with global peers. Created and runs Kōrero Tahi, Bell Gully’s programme designed to provide young lawyers with an opportunity to practice their presentation skills with their peers and receive direct partner feedback”
- Emma Manohar, DLA Piper
- Igor Drinkovic, MinterEllisonRuddWatts
- Jordan Cox, Webb Henderson
- Natasha Garvan, Bell Gully
MANAGING PARTNER OF THE YEAR (< 100 LAWYERS)
Jon Calder, Tompkins Wake
WINNER
- “Achieved record grow categoryth and profitability of more than 21% year-on-year. Drove operational efficiency, marketing and business development, including a major review of IT infrastructure and capability. Led a comprehensive review of the firm’s business continuity plan in response to the threat of COVID-19 and was ahead of the curve in ensuring response plans were tested and ready to mobilise”
- “Openly and honestly shared the firm’s post-Bazley report work with other law firm leaders to support and accelerate improvement in the legal sector. Championed diversity and inclusivity across the firm, which is a proud Rainbow Tick accredited workplace. Has worked to embed gender equality and inclusion in the firm’s culture, measuring and reporting on gender equality and pay to ensure there is no unconscious bias”
- “Innovative mindset and vision to blend the best aspects of the Big Law and New Law business models to create a dynamic, client-centric, efficient law firm model. Active contributor in many forums in NZ and offshore and a speaker on embracing and leading change in legal technology and innovation”
- Sam Hood, Norris Ward McKinnon
- Tim Walden, James & Wells
MANAGING PARTNER OF THE YEAR (> 100 LAWYERS)
Anna Buchly, Bell Gully
WINNER
- “Key driver of the recently launched Kaiārahi mentoring programme, which is tailored and targeted to the specific needs of each individual lawyer. Leads a number of diversity and leadership initiatives, opening up lines of communication and providing a clear plan for individuals in their senior years before partnership, as well as eliminating unconscious bias in decision-making”
- Led many of Bell Gully’s recent highly complex, multi-billion-dollar international transactions, including one of the largest New Zealand M&A transactions on record, the largest takeover undertaken to date in NZ via scheme of arrangement and others
- “A longstanding member of the board of trustees of the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation – one of Bell Gully’s key pro bono clients. Bell Gully was one of the early signatories to the Champions for Change initiative”
- Anne Callinan, Simpson Grierson
- Nick Wells, Chapman Tripp
- Paul Beverley, Buddle Findlay
- Richard Greenaway, Anderson Lloyd
NZ LAWYER DEAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (> 100 LAWYERS)
Bell Gully Corporate Team
WINNER
- Advised on close to $10bn worth of transactions in the past 12 months, including one of the largest NZ M&A transactions on record and the largest takeover undertaken to date in NZ via scheme of arrangement
- “Advised on notable capital markets transactions, including the largest IPO in New Zealand since 2016. Advised on three of the four takeovers for NZX Main Board target companies that have been completed using a scheme of arrangement since the schemes law was changed in 2014”
- Bell Gully Projects and Development Team
- Russell McVeagh, Corporate Advisory Team
DEAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (< 100 LAWYERS)
Webb Henderson
WINNER
- “Advised Fonterra Co-operative Group on the strategic review and $260m+ sell-down of its shareholding in a large PRC-listed infant formula manufacturer and distributer. Advised SkyCity Entertainment Group on the $700m+ construction of the New Zealand International Convention Centre and adjacent five-star hotel. Advised Spark on its acquisition of exclusive media rights to the New Zealand Cricket matches for six years, commencing April 2020”
- “Advised The Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation on the establishment of the $300m Venture Capital Fund under new legislation. Advised Astana International Exchange on a review of AIFC laws relevant to the listing of various entity types, the preparation of new listing rules and engagement with domestic regulators. Advised Capital Group on the acquisition of First Mortgage Managers, New Zealand’s largest non-bank mortgage lender”
- “Advised Google on its construction of multiple international submarine cables in the Asia-Pacific region. Advised Yum! (the US-listed franchisor of the Pizza Hut and KFC brands) on the takeover of Restaurant Brands New Zealand. Provided pro bono counsel on the capital raising for Downlights, a social enterprise producing luxury candles and providing employment opportunities for people with Down syndrome”
- Flacks & Wong
- Harmos Horton Lusk Corporate Team
- Mayne Wetherell
REGIONAL/SUBURBAN LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
WRMK Lawyers
WINNER
- “Longstanding advisors to Northland’s leading businesses, including Culham Engineering (NZ’s largest engineering firm) and McKay (NZ’s largest privately owned electrical business) One of the first NZ firms to successfully transition to a digital office. Managed more than 2,000 trusts last year, including running comprehensive reviews leading up to the new Trusts Act coming into force”
- “Advised on the high-profile sale and subdivision of Elliot Bay to the Ipipiri Nature Conservancy Trust. Advised a family trust on all aspects of the sale of a large industrial/office property (valued at $35–$40m) Advised two prominent Northland Māori entities on highly sensitive governance and employment matters. Acted in a High Court proceeding relating to senior executives’ post-employment confidentiality obligations. “
- “Conducted four cases in the Court of Appeal and were successful in three. Provided front-end construction contracts advice to leading engineering, construction and fit-out contractors. Negotiated multi-million-dollar COVID-19 delay and cost claims on major civil infrastructure projects. Acted in several complex trust restructuring matters, including a restructure as the result of a separation, dealing with assets worth $15m+”
- BlackmanSpargo Rural Law
- Southern Legal Lawyers
MID-SIZE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
Harmos Horton Lusk – Corporate Team
WINNER
- Recently acted on a wide range of significant corporate transactions, including Pushpay Holdings’ $132.2m acquisition of Church Community Builder and the associated cornerstone shareholder sell-down, as well as the $45.3m blocktrade sell-down of shares in Pushpay by interests associated with Chris Heaslip
- Acted on the $21.7m cornerstone investment by Centuria Capital Group in Augusta Capital, as well as Centuria Capital Group’s successful takeover offer for Augusta Capital, which valued Augusta Capital at $175m
- “Acted on the proposed $150m take-private of Abano Healthcare Group. Acted on Freshmax NZ Group’s $30m sale of shares in Freshmax NZ to Turners & Grow categoryers Fresh”
MID-SIZE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
Tompkins Wake
WINNER
- “Achieved record revenue (+15%) and profitability (+21%) in 2019. COVID-19 response saw partners reduce drawings and profit share to protect jobs, not taking the wage subsidy and emerging with only one role disestablished. First NZ firm to use Josef automation software to create free COVID-19 chatbots to assist and guide clients and the wider community before and during lockdown”
- “Acts for 14 local authorities across the central North Island and was fundamental in helping local authorities with COVID-19 Infrastructure Fund shovel-ready projects and provincial grow categoryth fund applications. Relationship property team acts for some of NZ’s most prominent individuals.
- “Continues to build on the success of AdviSME, the firm’s SME legal tech platform, which was used extensively by SMEs during COVID-19 alert levels 3 and 4. Built an automated platform for emerging companies/startups to prepare for investment and develop strategies for capital raising. In addition to financial and legal support, the firm donates governance, advisory and volunteer time to many charities and community organisations”
- Mayne Wetherell
LARGE LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR
Russell McVeagh
WINNER
- “Advised on a multi-billion-dollar contested public takeover under a scheme of arrangement by UK-based Apax Partners – the largest ever public takeover in NZ by scheme of arrangement. Advised Fonterra on its sale of a 50% interest in DFE Pharma to CVC, a transaction that was instrumental in Fonterra delivering its 2019 debt reduction objective). Advised Infratil on its sale of the NZ Bus group (the largest bus services operator in NZ) to Next Capital. Advised Samling Group on the share sale of Hikurangi Forest Farms (the largest forestry transaction in 2019)”
- “Advised the NZ and Australian governments on the rollout of satellite technology, unlocking more than $7.5bn in benefits for industries in both countries. Advised Auckland International Airport on planning approvals required to enable the development of a longer second runway and, more recently, on the airport’s $1.2bn capital raise”
- “Advised various stakeholders on major infrastructure projects of national significance, including Auckland’s City Rail Link, $703m International Convention Centre, $790m Westfield in Newmarket, $1b Commercial Bay waterfront development, the America’s Cup village, and the US$300m Southern Cross Cable Network between NZ, the US and Australia. Provided pro bono counsel to Home Guard NZ, a non-profit group that was set up to match healthcare staff to areas in need by tapping into latent medical staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic; the Ākina Foundation on matters for various social enterprises; Sustainable Coastlines; Cure Kids; and Voicing Pride”
- Bell Gully
- Buddle Findlay
- Chapman Tripp
- MinterEllisonRuddWatt
IN-HOUSE AWARDS
YOUNG IN-HOUSE LAWYER OF THE YEAR (35 OR UNDER)
Leah Taylor, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
WINNER
- “Implemented F&P’s Global Privacy Policy. Ensured data processing agreements were in place to comply with relevant data protection laws across the globe”
- “Provided regional offices outside of Europe with privacy compliance support, including the US, Mexico, Turkey, Australia, India, Poland and China. Completed 35 data protection impact assessments across the business”
- “Supported F&P’s ICT team to incorporate privacy requirements by design for a new HR system and new CRM system for NZ and global rollout. Provided biannual updates to the F&P board of directors. Operates calmly and coolly under pressure with a combination of enthusiasm and legal skills beyond her years”
- Emily Acland, Vocus
- Jono Willis, Lion
- Vivian-Lee Schaaf, Auckland Council
IN-HOUSE LAWYER OF THE YEAR
Julian Benefield, Foodstuffs North Island
WINNER
- “Gained international in-house experience in London. Has worked in-house at Foodstuffs for the past five years, making significant contributions during COVID-19 and has been consistently recognised for his outstanding achievement and contributions in mitigating risk”
- “Took on a crucial legal and broader crisis management role helping Foodstuffs navigate COVD-19, including a lead role dealing with unions/regulators on dynamic regulatory issues and advising on the innovative ‘virtual queue’ app. Led Foodstuffs’ $75m+ acquisition of seafood company Leigh Fisheries, demonstrating legal and commercial leadership in helping to secure the deal and guiding it to completion”
- “Immense contribution to the Foodies Foundation as a founding trustee. The foundation helps Foodstuffs’ 25,000 employees and whanau and has raised more than $1m and helped 110+ families. Julian has extensively promoted the foundation, worked with numerous people going through hardship and guided the trustees on legal/governance issues. “”Julian is also not just a functional specialist, but a leader who influences that we do good business and understands that the organisation can get good returns when it delivers,”” a colleague says.”
- Hayley Michelle Cassidy, BNZ
- Jason Nichols, Fonterra
- Jo Wong, SkyCity Entertainment Group
- Stephanie Manning, Canterbury District Health Board
SIMPSON GRIERSON FINANCIAL SERVICES IN-HOUSE TEAM
BNZ
WINNER
- “Procured more than $4.4bn of term funding across multiple jurisdictions in the wholesale bond market. Undertook comprehensive work on the FMA/RBNZ review of conduct and culture at NZ banks and life insurers. Signed up to the NZLS Gender Equality Charter, which is aimed at improving retention and advancement of female lawyers. Introduced Model Litigant Principles to apply to BNZ’s conduct of litigation – the first bank and the first private organisation in New Zealand to publicly do so”
- “As part of the innovative, customer-focused change for the BNZ KiwiSaver Scheme, substantial legal input helped deliver fee reductions and simplification, producing Writemark offering documentation and digital support tools. pdated and simplified more than 60 pieces of customer-facing collateral across BNZ. Participated significantly in an industry working group developing a shared application programming interface (API) framework for third parties to deliver alternative payment options for customers”.
- “Standardised and simplified the approach to privacy across the bank, including preparing a master privacy policy, NAB group data transfer arrangements and standardised third-party agreement clauses. Assisted with the delivery of the only NZ online banking services and mobile telephone applications in Te Reo Māori, including a Learning Mode that enables customers to learn Te Reo”
- ANZ Bank New Zealand
- Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation
RUSSELL MCVEAGH IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Legal Team
WINNER
- Was called on to play a key role in the middle of a worldwide pandemic
- “Deployed throughout the business to support key roles outside of the usual legal areas, including working out new processes, new procedures and new ways of working safely. Helped the company double, and in some instances triple, output for some hospital hardware products over just a few months. Simultaneously maintained all business-as- usual legal work, as well as increased legal requests due to the highly regulated, risky and uncertain environment globally”
- Each member of the legal team held key roles in the crisis response; as a respected team within the business, they provided key support and advisory roles during this period
- Auckland Council Legal Services Team
- Chorus
- Fonterra Legal Team
- SkyCity Entertainment Group
- Spark New Zealand
- Vodafone New Zealand
DEAL AWARDS
DEBT MARKET DEAL OF THE YEAR
Acquisition financing of Vodafone New Zealand
Winner
- Kāinga Ora – Housing New Zealand Wellbeing bonds
- LGFA syndicated bond offers
EQUITY MARKET DEAL OF THE YEAR
Napier Port IPO
WINNER
- Infratil institutional placement and AREO
- Kathmandu AREO
PROJECT FINANCE DEAL OF THE YEAR
City Rail Link
Winner
- Southern Cross Cable
- Waipipi Wind Farm
M&A DEAL OF THE YEAR
Vodafone New Zealand acquisition
Winner
- Acquisition by Inner Mongolia Yili Group of Westland Co-operative Dairy Company
- Apax takeover of Trade Me
- Sale of Hikurangi Forest Farms to New Forests
INSOLVENCY AND RESTRUCTURING DEAL OF THE YEAR
Receivership of Ebert Construction retention fund
Winner
MID-MARKET DEAL OF THE YEAR
Synlait acquisition of Dairyworks
- Auckland Council green bonds issuance
- Sale of New Zealand Frost Fans
- Spark New Zealand – New Zealand cricket rights
NEW ZEALAND DEAL OF THE YEAR
Vodafone New Zealand Acquisition
Winner