WILKINSON RODGERS LAWYERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner / Specialist in Commercial and Property Law
Aaron successfully works with personal and business clients on a broad range of work types including:
Residential and commercial real estate transactions
Trust formation and asset protection
Commercial leases
Business sale and purchase transactions
Company shareholder matters including share transactions,
shareholder agreements and debt and equity fund raising
Preparation and negotiation of commercial contracts
Finance and securities
Intellectual property
Land development and subdivisions
Building and construction
Aaron enjoys providing efficient and straight-forward legal support to his clients so they can achieve great outcomes in their business and personal legal matters.
Aaron graduated from the University of Otago in 2004 with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Psychology).
He started his legal career in Dunedin before working overseas as an in-house lawyer for a Swiss based private markets investment manager. Aaron returned to New Zealand in 2010 and worked for leading firms in Dunedin before taking up an opportunity in 2020 to join Wilkinson Rodgers Lawyers.
Job Titles:
- Registered Legal Executive
"My experience as a law clerk makes me the go-to girl, happy to assist wherever needed. I am usually working with one of the conveyancers on a property transaction, drafting documents or helping with client administration."
A Dunedin local, Alana joined Wilkinson Rodgers in 2015 after finishing secondary school at Otago Girls High.
Away from work, Alana enjoys spending time with her family and friends and going for walks with her dog Macy.
Bea joined Wilkinson Rodgers in 2001 and enjoys ensuring all of our visitors feel welcome.
In her spare time, Bea enjoys cooking, craft work, walking her two dogs and chopping and stacking wood.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate / Specialist in Dispute Resolution, Family Law and Relationship Property
Ben is a skilled litigator with experience in a broad range of disputes. He believes in practical, client-focused solutions and appreciates the benefits of resolving disputes at an early stage. Sometimes court litigation is unavoidable and Ben's extensive experience in the High Court, District Court, Family Court and various tribunals means that he can assist clients to solve their issues in almost any forum.
Ben is often called upon to advise on commercial disputes, relationship property issues or estate distribution matters. Clients find Ben easy to talk to about complicated legal issues and appreciate his efficient and no-nonsense advice. Some of the areas Ben can assist with include:
Corporate and Commercial Disputes
Estate Disputes (Family Protection and Testamentary Promises)
Trust Disputes
Construction and Building Disputes
Resource Management
Bankruptcy and Insolvency
Contracting Out Agreements or ‘Pre-Nups'
Separation and Divorce;
Care of Children (Day-to-Day Care and Guardianship)
Family Violence (Protection Orders)
PPPR Appointments (Welfare Guardian and Property Manager)
Residential Tenancy Advice
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate / Specialist in Property and Commercial Law, With a Particular Interest in Family Trusts, Asset Protection and Estate Planning
Bridey works on a wide range of matters, including trust and company formation, asset protection and succession planning and finance and securities. She has extensive experience in all areas of property, business and company share transactions, commercial leases, Wills and health care directives, enduring powers of attorney and occupation right agreements.
"I work closely alongside Geoff and Kelly, providing support including preparing enduring powers of attorney, trust deeds and various trust related documents. I also maintain the firm's precedent system."
Carol joined Wilkinson Rodgers in late 1998 to assist Geoff for three days. This has since turned into 22 years!
Carol joined Wilkinson Rodgers in late 1998 to assist Geoff for three days. This has since turned into 22 years!
Away from work, Carol enjoys cooking and travelling.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Expert Team
- Associate, Registered Legal Executive
Joining Wilkinson Rodgers in January 2017, Carolynn has more than three decades' experience at various law firms in Auckland and Dunedin and is an associate member of Legal Executives New Zealand.
Carolynn has acted on various school boards of trustees and other voluntary organisations and committees. In her spare time, she enjoys long walks and binge-viewing Netflix.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate / Specialist in Business and Commercial Law Including Business Purchases
Job Titles:
- Associate, Registered Legal Executive ( Fellow )
"I regularly deal with residential clients including first homebuyers, carrying out commercial and residential conveyancing, and trust transactions. I take will instructions for clients and deal with the administration of estates and I enjoy working with the elderly in relation to enduring powers of attorney, assisting to meet their needs whether for a residential care subsidy or their general wellbeing. I also work in general practice."
"I am interested in developing the skills needed to deal with a broad range of legal issues. I enjoy developing positive relationships with clients and working with them on a variety of matters. My particular interests are in disputes and litigation, rural law and trust and asset planning"
Job Titles:
- Registered Legal Executive
"Extremely knowledgeable when it comes to residential conveyancing transactions, I also have experience assisting with commercial clients, including company formations, sale and purchase of businesses, and commercial leasing. I also assist with trust reviews, wills and estates and general practice."
Chrissy has 15 years' experience in law, beginning her career at Wilkinson Adams in 2007. She has since worked in Dunedin as a legal executive and returned to Wilkinson Rodgers in 2020 working in both the Dunedin office and Cromwell. She is currently based in Cromwell.
Away from work, Chrissy is kept busy with two young children. She enjoys spending time with the family and exploring outdoors.
Diana represents clients at mediation, Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court, and leads negotiations in the collective bargaining space. Diana also assists in the workplace with general issues including performance, discipline, investigations, restructuring and redundancy, and health and safety.
Originally from New Plymouth, Diana is an Otago Graduate who joined the Wilkinson Rodgers team as a Consultant.
As a Chartered member of the Institute of Directors, and holding roles on several local boards, Diana is always looking to further client understanding of the governance role, and overlap with business at a functional level.
Away from the office, Diana is a keen cyclist and kayaker, often spending time in the outdoors in Central Otago and enjoying local wine and food with friends.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Member of the Expert Team
Geoff is the managing partner and has been a partner for over 30 years, acting as a trusted advisor to numerous business and personal clients.
Geoff specializes in asset protection and has extensive involvement in our asset protection team, advising our clients in all aspects of asset protection, including trust formation and administration and trust restructuring. Geoff also has extensive experience in all facets of business law, including commercial contracts, company and business structuring and finance with a special interest in relationship property.
"I joined the Wilkinson Rodgers team in 2021 and am generally found assisting all staff wherever needed to help the office run smoothly. I am usually helping with client administration, drafting documents and completing AML"
Georgina finished school in 2017 and has since worked in retail. She has strong people skills and is an eager, quick learner.
Georgina finished school in 2017 and has since worked in retail. She has strong people skills and is an eager, quick learner.
In her spare time, Georgina enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Expert Team
- Associate, Registered Legal Executive
- Member of the New Zealand Institute
"My experience is in estates, conveyancing and trusts. When dealing with general clients, I undertake transactions such as residential conveyancing, estate administration, trust administration and reviews."
Jane is an affiliate member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives. Previously at Kam Niak Law from 2001, Jane then worked at Wilkinson Adams before the merger to Wilkinson Rodgers.
Jane is an affiliate member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives. Previously at Kam Niak Law from 2001, Jane then worked at Wilkinson Adams before the merger to Wilkinson Rodgers.
Away from work, Jane is kept busy with her two young girls.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Member of the Expert Team
- Consultant / Elder Law Specialist
Jenny graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts. She uses commonsense and a pragmatic and solution-focused approach to deal with any issue seeing clients both at the office and in their homes. Jenny, in three words: "whatever it takes."
A long-serving trustee of the Otago Community Hospice Trust and the Otago Hospice Foundation Trust, Jenny is also trustee of the Shacklock Charitable Trust and a number of smaller charitable trusts. She has previously served as President of Otago Junior Tennis and Honorary Solicitor for the Otago Piping and Dancing Society.
Jenny and husband John (formerly a marketing lecturer at the University of Otago) hold family close to their heart. They have four adult children from London to Ranfurly and eight grandchildren - Louis, Hugo, William, Teddy, Zoe, Imogen, Lottie and Emmie.
Expertise: Wills & Estates, Employment Law, Elder Law, Enduring Powers of Attorney, General Practice, Community Involvement,
Experienced in transactions involving land titles, complex conveyancing, subdivisions & easements, regularly advising landowning clients and businesses.
"My experience includes more than 20 years in the Land Registry Office as the District Land Registrar and 15 years in private practice dealing with title and complex conveyancing matters. Since my time at the Land Registry Office, I have dealt with both urban and rural titles, and acted as the Crown agent for the implementation of Tenure Reviews of Pastoral Leases."
John graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Canterbury. He joined Wilkinson Rodgers as a consultant in 2005.
Away from work, John enjoys attending to his garden and playing bowls. He is Secretary to the Opoho Bowling Club Inc.
Justine has many years of legal office experience. She joined Wilkinson Mirkin Kendall as office junior back in 1990, working her way up to become Trust Accountant. After leaving in 2001 to start a family, Justine returned part-time in 2006.
In her spare time, Justine enjoys walking and spending time with her family and friends.
Karen has an impressive 45 years' experience working in a legal office, having worked in Tauranga, Auckland and London before moving to Dunedin and joining Wilkinson Rodgers in 2003.
In her spare time, Karen enjoys aqua fitness, walking, reading and listening to music.
Job Titles:
- Associate, Registered Legal Executive, Trust Manager
"I am a Registered Affiliate Legal Executive working in the area of Trusts, Estates and asset planning. I also manage the firm's Family Trust Register. I work closely with Geoff and his clients on all Trust matters. We have recently been reviewing all of our client trusts to comply with the Trusts Act 2019."
Kelly joined the firm in 2000, having previously worked in Central Otago.
In 2004, Kelly left Dunedin for Perth where she worked for an Australian law firm as a legal executive in conveyancing. She returned home in mid-2006 to be close to family, and thereafter rejoined the firm.
In her spare time, Kelly is kept busy with her family and various after school activities.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Expert Team
- Senior Associate
Specialist in residential transactions. This includes efficient and timely turnaround of property reviews ahead of a prospective purchase, coaching and guiding home buyers and sellers.
I have worked on large, medium and small subdivisions, boundary adjustments, Unit Titles and provide advice on easements, land covenants and other Title matters.
Land transactions have continued to become complex over time which means that someone dealing with land needs a lawyer who understands those complexities and will work proactively with people.
"I have more than 25 years of knowledge in residential transactions, including refinances, subdivisions and unit titles. I also frequently advise on enduring powers of attorney, planning for future property affairs and provide advice on wills. Other areas of interest are relationship property, rural and general practice. I work with the general public, first home buyers, landowners, commercial business people and elderly clients to ensure their needs are met."
"As Practice Manager, I am responsible for the day-to-day management of the office, working with staff, partners and suppliers, and carrying out monthly and annual reporting for the firm. It is my job to keep the systems running smoothly and the office functioning effectively for staff and clients."
Lorna commenced work with Hanan de Courcey & Kendall in 1981 as the office junior. She has worked for the same firm through many name changes and mergers. After some time away for her family, she returned to work in 2001.
"I work on residential and commercial sales and purchases, including finance, subdivision and leasing. My experience in estate administration including probate applications is also extensive. In my work, I regularly assist commercial clients by preparing agreements for sale, purchases of businesses and settlement of business transactions including assignment of leases."
Malcom has more than 50 years' experience as a legal executive, working in many of Dunedin's most respectable law firms. He has been at Wilkinson Rodgers since 2005.
Malcom has more than 50 years' experience as a legal executive, working in many of Dunedin's most respectable law firms. He has been at Wilkinson Rodgers since 2005.
Away from work, Malcom enjoys cycling and camping.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Member of the International Society of Estate
Decades of experience in asset protection, complex wills and estates, and farm business matters.
"I have more than 40 years' experience advising clients on measures and structures for protecting their assets during life and for their family after death. I also prepare complex wills and administer estates. As a rural specialist, I draw on four decades of experience advising clients on matters related to farming including farm succession planning, business structures, and the sale, purchase and financing of farms."
Before law, Michael was a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and specialised in accountancy for rural clients. Realising there was more to life than numbers, in 2002 he completed a law degree at the University of Otago. Soon after graduating, Michael joined Wilkinson Rodgers, becoming a partner in 2014.
Michael is a member of the International Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners for his recognised expertise in Trusts & Estates. He is also Deputy Chair of the Corstorphine Baptist Community Trust, a deliverer of mental health services to the community.
Job Titles:
- Associate, Registered Legal Executive ( Fellow ), Trust Accountant
- Fellow of Legal Executives New
"Although my main role as Trust Accountant is looking after all client funds, I also undertake legal executive work, estate administration, client tax returns and ‘anything else that needs to be done'. Essentially I am what you may call a ‘utility' - and I love it."
Pat is a fellow of Legal Executives New Zealand, completing this course in the 1990s, and has more than 45 years' legal experience in trust management and legal executive roles. She was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1997.
Before joining the team at Wilkinson Rodgers, Pat had 38 years of legal office experience.
Pat is a fellow of Legal Executives New Zealand, completing this course in the 1990s, and has more than 45 years' legal experience in trust management and legal executive roles. She was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1997.
Before joining the team at Wilkinson Rodgers, Pat had 38 years of legal office experience.
When time allows, Pat loves golf and cooking.
Job Titles:
- Registered Legal Executive
Rachel attended Saint Hilda's Collegiate before the Otago Polytechnic, graduating with a Bachelor of Design (Fashion) in 2016. She joined Wilkinson Rodgers in 2018.
In her spare time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending music gigs and sewing.
Job Titles:
- Registered Legal Executive
Renee worked as a legal secretary and paralegal in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom and has worked as an English language teacher in Greece. She is bilingual, having spent seven years living and raising her children in Greece. Renee joined the team in 2015 as a legal secretary after returning to New Zealand with her family.
Away from work, Renee enjoys music and spending time with her family and friends.
An expert in all things relating to our deeds system, Robyn joined Wilkinson Rodgers in 2016.
In her spare time, Robyn enjoys reading, walking and travelling. She has recently been rediscovering New Zealand after living overseas.
Savanna is working at Wilkinson Rodgers as a Law Clerk while studying for her Law degree at the University of Otago.
Sinead has a Bachelor of Arts degree - Major in Sociology, Minor in Criminology from the University of Otago and has worked in a variety of roles since graduating in 2021.
In her spare time, Sinead enjoys getting out and about to enjoy Dunedin and all it has to offer.