My areas of Expertise

Specialist Practice Areas

Industry Expertise

What I like about my work

No two days are ever the same. My work is constantly challenging and stimulating, as my core skills can be applied in a host of different ways and the Anderson Lloyd environment has always given me the freedom to explore new legal disciplines. I especially enjoy the human drama involved in business decision-making and disputes.

What I’ve done in the past

After a long professional studentship and several years of mostly outdoors jobs ranging from commercial tramping guide to jack of all trades in a Cordon Bleu cookery school, I donned a tie in 1984 and worked in Invercargill getting a solid grounding in civil, criminal, and family court work. 

I joined Anderson Lloyd in 1986 at the height of the '80s share market boom and switched immediately to capital-raising and securities law work, followed by an intense stint of corporate insolvency, acting on scores of receiverships. A particular skill in writing clearly led me to develop a specialist plain language drafting practice and a focus on commercial and consumer contracting. 

That took me into the telecommunications industry. I was particularly fortunate to have absorbing legal work acting for Xtra during the initial commercial growth of the internet and the advent of electronic commerce. 

Contracting and regulatory work in the health sector has been another area of professional involvement particularly during periods of sector restructuring. 

I have also been able to translate a keen personal interest in the wine industry into professional involvement, acting for many wineries, vineyards and contractors in Central and North Otago.

My approach to working with my clients

I believe I combine strong conceptual thinking with drafting precision, the ability to assess risk, the confidence to make clear judgement calls and the courage to act on them in advancing clients' interests. 

What I enjoy at work

I have the benefit and pleasure of working with some wonderful people, who have excellent minds and who are committed to what they do. This firm has great energy, great ideas and is a great environment to work in. The attitude here is to take a brave look at the horizon and to go for it.

What I enjoy outside of work

My children, playing an old Broadwood baby grand (badly), swimming, learning how to grow cherry trees, keeping a motley accumulation of old Citroens mostly mobile, tramping and climbing (when time and fitness permit), reading good books, wine, and Central Otago landscape protection issues.

What I enjoy about living in the South Island

The quality of light!  I love the space, the landscape contrasts and the seasonality of life.   I live on Otago Peninsula, New Zealand's best kept secret, and spend much time in Central Otago, New Zealand's most magic landscape. 

Memberships and Directorships

  • Member, International Wine Lawyers Association
  • Honorary Solicitor to the Central Otago Winegrowers Association and Central Otago Pinot Noir Limited
  • Author "Plain Language Drafting" section of Butterworths New Zealand Forms and Precedents
  • Member, NZLS E-Commerce Subcommittee
  • Co-author, Butterworths Electronic Business and Technology Law