Trusts, Wills & Powers of Attorney

Christine was born and raised on a farm in Southland before attending boarding school in Dunedin. She obtained her double degree in Law and Commerce from the University of Otago and, after a period of travel, moved to Hawke’s Bay with her husband, a Bay local. With over two decades of legal experience, Christine was appointed Managing Director in 2021 and has ably guided the firm through a series of improvements, setting it up for stability and growth. Outside work, Christine enjoys spending time with her family embracing the Hawke’s Bay lifestyle.

Christine works in the following areas:

• Property Law
• Rural
• Company and Commercial
• Trusts, Estates and Succession Planning
• Wills & Power of Attorneys

Christine Symes works in the following areas: Property Law & Conveyancing | Trusts, Wills & EPOAs | Employment Law | Estates

Originally from the United Kingdom, Edward obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sheffield and, before moving to New Zealand with his Hawke’s Bay wife, worked in London courts, notably the Old Bailey.

Outside work Edward is kept busy by the family business, KS Show Horses, a stud farm breeding show ponies, and by his young (and growing) family. He is a keen sportsman, watching, playing and coaching a variety of sports, especially hockey.

Edward works in the following areas:

• Property
• Rural
• Company and commercial
• 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

Edward Bostock works in the following areas: Corporate & Commercial Law | Property Law & Conveyancing | Trusts, Wills & EPOAs | Estates

Leah was born and raised in Hawke’s Bay. She graduated from the University of Otago in 1999 with a Bachelor of Laws and a Postgraduate Diploma in Regional and Resource Planning. Following overseas travel in 2002, she began her legal career in Gisborne before practising in Darwin, Australia. She returned to Hawke’s Bay in 2013 and joined Bramwell Bate in August 2017.

Outside work, Leah is kept busy with her family and is also a Board member of the Hastings City Business Association.

Leah works in the following areas:

• Property
• Rural
• Company and Commercial
• Trusts, estates and succession planning
• Will & power of attorneys

Leah Bernie works in the following areas: Property Law & Conveyancing | Corporate & Commercial Law | Trusts, Wills & EPOAs | Estates

Roger has been practising law in Hawke’s 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 brings clarity to complex legal processes and is focused on achieving the right outcome for his clients.

Roger Philip works in the following areas: Property Law & Conveyancing | Trusts, Wills & EPOAs | Corporate & Commercial Law | Criminal Law & Traffic Offences | Employment Law

Originally from Gisborne, Anna pursued her education at Victoria University, studying law alongside Japanese. After five years practising family law in Gisborne, Anna relocated to Wellington to continue her career. However, the draw of regional NZ proved strong, leading her to settle in Hastings in 2015, her husband’s hometown, where they now live with their two children. Anna joined Bramwell Grossman in 2015 and has been with the firm since. She was promoted to a Director of Bramwell Bate in 2024. Outside of work, Anna enjoys the Hawke’s Bay lifestyle with her family and friends.

Anna Bernie works in the following areas: Trusts, Wills & EPOAs | Property Law & Conveyancing | Corporate & Commercial Law | Estate Administration

After more than 20 years in the UK, Nick has returned to Hawke’s Bay, bringing extensive experience in residential and commercial property, asset planning, estates, and trusts. His London career saw him act for a broad range of clients, from first-home buyers to high-net-worth individuals, investors, and public entities, and included managing a team of solicitors and paralegals at Amphlett Lissimore Bagshaws LLP.

A University of Canterbury graduate with degrees in Law and Arts, Nick began his career in the Manawatu before heading overseas. Now back in Hawke’s Bay, he values the region’s relaxed lifestyle, time with family and friends, and its world-class vineyards.

Nick Aveling works in the following areas: Property Law & Conveyancing | Trusts, Wills & EPOAs | Estates

Jane has been practising for a number of years and has a considerable experience in a wide variety of legal matters. Hailing from Taranaki she completed her legal studies at Victoria University before moving to Napier and eventually joining Bramwell Bate as a Senior Associate. When not at work Jane enjoys tramping, cycling, and time with friends and family.

Jane specialises in the following areas of practice:

• Property including subdivisions
• Trusts
• Estates and succession planning
• Wills and Powers of Attorney
• Elder Law and Residential Care

Jane has a particular interest in:

• Assisting first home buyers
• Residential Conveyancing
• Assisting older clients

Jane Howden works in the following areas: Property Law & Conveyancing | Trusts, Wills & EPOAs | Estates

Lois was born and raised in Hawke’s Bay, attending Hastings Girls’ High School before leaving for university. She graduated from Auckland University of Technology in 2020 with a Bachelor of Laws and then from The University of Auckland in 2021 with a Master of Laws. Lois returned to the Bay in mid-2021 and joined the team at Bramwell Bate in October 2021. Outside of work, Lois enjoys spending time with her husband and extended family, playing classical piano, watching the NBA, and soaking up the Hawke’s Bay sun with her dog Winnie in tow.

Lois McLintock works in the following areas: Employment Law | Property Law & Conveyancing | Relationship Property | Trusts, Wills & EPOAs

Kelly was born and raised in Hastings before spending time in Wellington and London. After returning from her OE, Kelly completed her Legal Executive Diploma in 2019. Outside of the office, Kelly is a bit of a social butterfly who enjoys spending time with her family and friends, the odd quiz night, a glass of wine and sampling what the local restaurants have to offer.

Kelly Henderson works in the following areas: Property Law & Conveyancing