Laurence McKenzie qualified as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand in 1971 and initially practised in Auckland New Zealand engaged in residential and commercial conveyancing, family law, civil and criminal litigation and other general legal matters. He re-qualified as a Solicitor in England in 1979.

From 1974 to 1975 he was employed as an in-house legal counsel to a merchant bank in London and subsequently a subsidiary to the Royal Bank of Scotland plc in ship-finance matters including the securitisation and sale and purchase of vessels.

From 1975 to 1980 he was employed in the Shipping-finance department of Norton Rose, London engaged in ship sale and purchase, shipping finance and securitisation matters for banks ship-owners and shipyards in the UK, Japan and elsewhere.

From 1980 to 1984 he was employed by Ince. Co, London, engaged in ship sale and purchase, shipping litigation matters including arbitration and mortgage enforcement in the High Court in London and related legal matters for International clients.

Since becoming a partner of Vincent, French & Browne in 1987 Laurence has practised in the following fields of law:

Contract drafting for the supply of engineering equipment and services both in the UK, Europe and Japan; International debit recovery; Arbitration; Commercial and Residential Conveyancing; Company and Commercial Law; Banking Law; Leasehold matters; Wills and Trust; Civil Litigation in the County and High Courts of England and Wales.

Laurence is Company Secretary to Danfo (UK) Limited, the UK subsidiary of a Swedish Manufacturing Company and Redab Properties plc, a property developer. He is also legal advisor to Lisnave Estaleiros Navais S.A., the Portuguese Ship-repairer and has acted for that Company and associated companies in Portugal since 1984. Laurence acts for other companies and private clients both in England and elsewhere.