Dawson & Associates Limited | Expert Maritime & Environmental Law Services

Dawson & Associates is a Nelson‑based maritime law practice with more than three decades’ experience advising New Zealand and Pacific clients. It specialises in commercial maritime matters, including vessel sale and purchase, vessel registration and ownership structures, flagging and crewing, fisheries management and related agreements. The firm works with ship registries, surveyors, brokers, insurers and accountants to provide practical advice on charterparty arrangements, vessel build contracts, and health and safety risk management. Its experts also handle regulatory compliance and strategic advice for owners, operators and marine businesses, delivering clear, commercially focused solutions in a fast‑moving, cross‑border industry. Beyond transactional work, Dawson & Associates offers litigation management, crisis response to maritime incidents, and specialist advocacy before government and regional organisations. The team keeps pace with maritime regulation, guiding clients through changes to rules affecting ships and fisheries across New Zealand and the South Pacific. They coordinate a network of marine experts and barristers to manage disputes efficiently, from cargo and collision matters to regulatory prosecutions. The firm is also recognised for its superyacht advisory services, ongoing insights, and community involvement, combining technical mastery with practical collaboration to support clients throughout the lifecycle of their maritime operations.