THE MOUNT LAWYERS LIMITED - Key Persons


David Gubb

Job Titles:
  • Partner
David has recently joined our team as a Partner in our Mount Maunganui office. With nearly two decades of experience working in Tauranga, Te Aroha, Hamilton and London, David brings a wide range of expertise to the iCLAW | The Mount Lawyers team. David specialises in all areas of property and commercial law, as well as all other areas of general practice. David regularly advises clients on rural law matters, particularly in the Orchard/Kiwifruit and Farming space, including access and subdivision matters. Coming from a Dairy Farming background, David applies his personal experiences when advising his clients on rural law matters.

Grant Aislabie L.

Job Titles:
  • Consultant
Grant obtained his law degree from Auckland University and has practiced in Tauranga for many years. In 2000, seeking a wider challenge, he took up the position of Principal Disputes Tribunal Referee in Wellington. After completing this contracted term, Grant returned to Auckland, where he continued to practice law. In 2017 the opportunity was presented to return to Mount Maunganui and purchase the very well-respected firm that is now The Mount Lawyers Limited. Grant brings comprehensive experience and expertise to all aspects of Property, Subdivision, Commercial leasing, and Conveyancing Law. In the realm of Dispute Resolution, he has a wealth of experience from his years in the Disputes Tribunal, preferring negotiation and mediation to the battle of Litigation. In addition, Commercial Law, settlement of Relationship Property issues, as well as Wills, Trusts and Estate Administration, all sit comfortably within his expertise.

Jayde Kenny

Job Titles:
  • Business Manager
Jayde is a crucial part of the team and ensures our show is kept on the road. With more than 25 years experience in law firms, including as a qualified legal executive, Jayde works to support the iCLAW partners and ensure the smooth running of the office. As a Papamoa local she supports the Mount Law team and also visits the iCLAW Hamilton office regularly. Jayde says that the beauty of working for a modern law firm such as iCLAW/Mount Lawyers, is that she is able to work from anywhere.

Kari Benninghaus

Job Titles:
  • AML Compliance Officer
Kari is a born and raised Canuck, who also lived in Okinawa, Japan, for four years before moving to NZ in 2019. Kari's experience with law began in university with her undergraduate in International Relations and International Human Rights Law, which extended to her role as a public servant for the Canadian government. There she worked on litigation files and developed policies for multiparty stakeholders concerning Indigenous issues, specifically with regard to conflict resolution, negotiation, mediation, restorative justice, and consultation and accommodation. Kari is a detailed oriented, outdoorsy individual who loves exploring with her family and two young babies. She is a bonafide foodie and travel enthusiast who dabbles in art, language, and pottery. Kari is thrilled to be a part of the iCLAW team. You can find her with the red hair; she is happy to answer any questions about Customer Due Diligence.

Macy Bruce

Job Titles:
  • Office Assistant
  • Receptionist
Macy has recently joined the iCLAW team. Macy completed her Legal Executive Diploma in 2022 and is now assisting in the day to day running of the iCLAW | The Mount Lawyers office.

Owen Culliney

Job Titles:
  • Partner
Owen has grown a bustling corporate and commercial practice specialising in intellectual property, and developed an exciting property division. Owen attended Saint Mary's Catholic School and Tauranga Boys' College before his family moved to Waikato. His father and sister have since returned to the Mount and Tauranga, and he often visits now to apply his skill as an adviser to the region. Owen has established himself as a trusted adviser in the corporate and commercial space. He continues to oversee the property practice at iCLAW while remaining engaged in the medico-legal field. Clients love him because of his ability to get to the heart of an issue and provide strategic solutions. Whether working with a small business or a multinational corporation, Owen approaches every interaction with a genuine desire to do right by the people he is helping. His passion for elevating clients' success on the local and international stage drives him to continue to grow and innovate.

Sam Douglas

Job Titles:
  • Partner
  • Specialist Property
Sam is a specialist Property and Commercial lawyer, with a wide background in general practice. Sam brings a broad range of expertise to both Mount Lawyers and the wider iCLAW team. Sam was born and bred in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, and after obtaining his Law and Science degrees at the University in Canterbury, he started his career as a lawyer in Tauranga in 2008. As a Partner of iCLAW, Sam is now pleased to also be back spending more time at the Mount Maunganui office of Mount Lawyers. Sam regularly advises clients on all manners of commercial contracts and commercial and residential property. His extensive property law experience includes greenfield and commercial subdivisions, complex due diligence investigations, construction, large-scale leasing projects, financing and technical title advice, sale and purchase of land, property sharing and syndication, as well as complex relationship property matters. Sam also assists clients with all areas of asset planning and advice, including trusts, wills and enduring powers of attorney, as well as other areas of general practice. Sam is known by his clients as a modern and practical advisor who goes the extra mile, and one who gives sensible and timely advice. Sam has been named an "Accredited Property Law Specialist" by the Property Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society. Sam is married to Emily, and is proud dad of three. You might see Sam running around the Mount one lunchtime, and when he's not busy being a lawyer or a dad, Sam also likes to find time to go for a surf or waterski.

Sebastian Bucher

Job Titles:
  • Partner
Sebastian (Seb) graduated Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from Canterbury University in 2014. In the intervening years prior to joining The Mount Lawyers in early 2021, Seb has practiced in his hometown of Taupo, an overseas stint in Belfast, Northern Ireland and also Auckland, then moving to Tauranga.