Managing Director
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Christine was born and raised on a farm in Southland before attending boarding school in Dunedin. She graduated from the University of Otago in 2000 with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce. After her OE, Christine moved to Hawke’s Bay with her husband who was born and raised locally. Christine first practised in law firms in both Napier and Dannevirke before enjoying a stint as an in-house lawyer for a local livestock finance company, StockCo, and latterly at a law firm in Hastings. Christine joined Bramwell Bate in early 2020.
Christine works in the following areas:
- Property Law
- Rural
- Company and Commercial
- Trusts, Estates and Succession Planning
- Wills & Power of Attorneys
Christine was appointed Managing Director in 2021. Christine supports our GM, Cherie, in leadership and implementation of our business plan, guides alignment of firm management, and ensures the leadership team provide support and mentoring to all our lawyers.
Outside of work, Christine enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons embracing the Hawke’s Bay lifestyle.
Director
Edward Bostock
Edward emigrated from the UK in January 2012 with his wife, Sarah, who was raised in Hawke’s Bay.
Edward obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sheffield in the UK and before moving to New Zealand worked in the Courts in London, primarily at the Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey).
Edward works in the following areas:
- Property
- Rural
- Company and commercial
- Employment
- Immigration
- Trusts, estate and succession planning
- Wills & power of attorneys
- Estates
Edward has a particular interest in:
- Company and commercial
- Property
- Equine law – breeding contracts, sale and purchase agreements
- Elder law – residential care subsidy – planning for it and preparing applications
Outside of work Edward is kept busy by the family business, KS Show Horses, which is a stud farm breeding show ponies, and by his young (and growing) family. He is a keen sportsman playing golf (member at Hastings Golf Club), hockey and cricket, while he is also an avid rugby fan.
Director
Kevin Osborne
Kevin is an active sportsman and an Honorary Solicitor for numerous sports clubs and organisations.
Kevin provides legal expertise in general conveyancing, corporate and commercial matters, family trusts, estates, asset management and protection, subdivisions and property development, charitable trusts and sports law.
Director
Leah Bernie
Leah was born and raised in Hawkes Bay. She graduated from the University of Otago in 1999 with a Bachelor of Laws and a Postgraduate Diploma in Regional and Resource Planning. Upon returning from her OE in 2002, she practised in Gisborne and then Darwin, and returned to Hawkes Bay in 2013 where she worked for another local firm before joining Bramwell Bate in August 2017.
Leah works in the following areas:
- Property
- Rural
- Company and Commercial
- Trusts, estates and succession planning
- Will & power of attorneys
Outside of the office Leah is kept busy with her three sons and their various school and sporting activities, and is secretary of the Havelock North Junior Rugby Club and a member of the Parkvale School PTA.
Director
Roger Philip
Roger has been practising law in Hawkes Bay since 1996.
Roger provides services in corporate and commercial, property, civil litigation, criminal litigation, traffic, estates, family, wills, trusts and powers of attorney.
He provides clarity for his clients on the complexities of the legal processes they are engaged in, and focuses on getting them the right result.