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Jacob Smith

he/himAssociate
Auckland
About

Jacob has broad experience across commercial disputes and regulatory law. He advises local and international clients on domestic and cross-border disputes and regulatory matters.

In addition, Jacob has a particular focus on the sport and entertainment sector, and as an elite athlete himself, provides unique context and insight to our clients.

He advises clients in sport and entertainment contractual disputes, judicial, disciplinary and sport governance matters.

Areas of FocusLitigation, Arbitration and InvestigationsMedia, Sport and EntertainmentConsumer Goods, Food and RetailFinancial Services
Professional QualificationsBarrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand

EXPERIENCE

  • Team advising Foodstuffs North Island Limited on its day-to-day legal and regulatory matters, including its alcohol off-license matters.
  • Advised global IT solutions client through a contractual dispute involving proposed commercial sponsorship of a major New Zealand sporting organisation.
  • Acted for a multinational travel agency in obtaining urgent interlocutory freezing and ancillary orders in the New Zealand jurisdiction in relation to action against a former employee for misappropriating large sums of company funds.*
  • Advised a New Zealand talent agency in dispute with a large commercial counterparty in relation to 6 years of unauthorized commercial usage of a web, YouTube and print commercial.*
  • Acted for a professional footballer in relation to a contractual dispute with a MLS Football Club.*

*denotes experience at previous firm

Education
  • Auckland University of Technology (LLB) - 2019

Prior Experience

Prior to joining DLA Piper New Zealand Jacob worked for another New Zealand law firm in a Tier-1 ranked disputes practice.

Jacob has sport governance experience and is current Co-Chair of the New Zealand Hockey Players' Association.

Additional Information

Jacob has 122 international caps for the New Zealand Black Sticks and competed at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and Paris Olympics 2024.

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Australia New Zealand Sports Law Association
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Connect

Phone

+64 9 300 3897
(Work, Auckland)
+64 21 193 0547
(Mobile, Auckland)