Skip to Content »

Biography

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

  • Principal of  Wellington law firm  FRANKS OGILVIE (Commercial & Public Law Ltd).
  • Former Partner and Chairman of national law firm Chapman Tripp.
  • ACT List Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2005
  • Lawyer, aged 58, married, four children, ages 22 to 30
  • Educated: Taihape College, Victoria University Qualifications: BA/LLB (Hons), Dip.Acc., Victoria University of Wellington.
  • Admitted to the Bar: 1975
  • Born in Wellington

GENERAL

Stephen is a frequent speaker and writer on legal subjects with a particular focus on company and securities law, criminal justice and constitutional issues.

RECREATIONAL INTERESTS

Family activities, farming, manuka honey beekeeping, deer hunting, sailing, skiing, kayaking, mountain biking, tennis, formerly Lieutenant – Territorials (Artillery)

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

Before entering Parliament in 1999:  Member of the Securities Commission; Council member of the Institute of Directors in NZ (inc); Deputy Chairman of the Stock Exchange’s Market Surveillance Panel 1995 – 1995 and a member from its inception for nine years.

Recently retired as Chairman, Wellington Rugby League Inc and Management Board of Samuel Marsden Collegiate School.

Director of: Electronic Transaction Services Ltd, Manuka Honey Ltd.

Active member and adviser to the Sensible Sentencing Trust

CAREER

Stephen is a former Chairman, Partner and senior commercial lawyer at Chapman Tripp, which he joined in 1979. He began practising law in 1973, travelled overseas extensively in 1976 and spent two years in the Office of the Ombudsman. Stephen is recognised nationally as an expert in company law, having specialised in flotations and securities market work, including takeovers and State sector reform.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS BEFORE PARLIAMENT

  • 1999: advised Ministry of Commerce on regulatory features of Accident Insurance Act
  • 1998: advised Ministry of Commerce on drafting of Electricity Industry Reform Act. Developed the listed index investment product TeNZ for the NZ Stock Exchange, and all other NZ listed index funds.
  • 1989-1993: member of Law Society’s Commercial and Business Law Committee (convenor 1989-1991); Advised Community Trusts on float of Trust Bank; advisor to the Investment Savings and Insurance Association (and its predecessors) on securities law matters.
  • 1992-94: oversaw the legal structuring of the Blood Transfusion Services.
  • 1992-1993: advised on legal risks, procedures and administrative law criteria affecting establishment of electricity distribution companies;
  • 1993: led Chapman Tripp team which (with Ernst & Young) reported to Crown Health Enterprises Chairpersons’ consultative committee on CHE’s risk management strategies; commissioned by the World Bank to co-author report on the NZ divestiture experience; presented Law Society submissions on Companies Act 1993 to a Parliamentary Select Committee;
  • 1992: study at the Law School of the University of Chicago; Advised Telecom NZ during its initial international public offering.
  • 1991: advised on the Government securities law reform programme (one of four private sector representatives); presented papers to World Bank seminars in Washington on corporatisation and privatisation.