Senior Associate
Our Associates
Find our team members
who have the right expertise to assist you
with your legal requirements.
Jane has been in practice for a number of years and has considerable experience in a wide variety of legal matters. She is involved in a number of community groups and organisations.
Jane has experience in all aspects of conveyancing, commercial, trusts, estates and succession planning. She also assists first home buyers.
Originally from Taranaki, Jane attended Victoria University, graduating in 1986. She has worked in general practice with a number of firms in both Napier and Hastings.
In Jane’s spare time she enjoys tramping, cycling and spending time with friends and family.
Associate
Anna Bernie
Having been born and raised in Gisborne, Anna returned to Gisborne to practice law after graduating from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts in Japanese in 2004.
Anna then continued her legal practice at a central Wellington firm before moving to Hawkes Bay in March 2015 with her Hastings born and bred husband and their two young children.
Anna works in the following areas:
- Property
- Trusts, estates & succession planning
- Wills & powers of attorneys
- Relationship property
Anna has a particular interest in:
- Property
- Trusts, estates & succession planning
- Relationship property
Outside of work Anna likes to enjoy the Hawkes Bay lifestyle with family and friends.
Associate
Will Hawkins
Will graduated from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Laws in 2006 and has been primarily practicing criminal law in the private and public sector.
Will works in the following areas of criminal practice:
- Jury Trials
- Appeals
- Police & other Government Department prosecutions
Will has a particular interest in:
- Civil & Commercial litigation
- Military law
Outside of work Will serves in the local Army reserve unit and enjoys the Hawkes Bay lifestyle with family and friends.
Associate – Registered Legal Executive
Shelly Rakatau
Shelly has more than 25 years legal office experience, the last 16 of those being employed in Legal Executive roles.
Shelly completed her formal qualification in 2006 and is now a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives.
Shelly works in the following areas:
- Residential property conveyancing
- Business sale and purchase transaction
- Subdivision
In addition Shelly assists Graham Throp in the areas of:
- Company and commercial matters
- Trusts and estate planning
- Wills
Associate
Christine Symes
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 works in the following areas:
- Property
- Rural
- Company and Commercial
- Trusts, Estates and Succession Planning
- Wills & Power of Attorneys
Outside of work, Christine enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons embracing the Hawke’s Bay lifestyle.