Our People

We are passionate about delivering the best possible service for all of our clients. We are here to protect your interests and act on your behalf to ensure your rights are upheld.

We love what we do and cherish the fact that no two days are the same – no challenge is too big for us! We're an experienced team, with a combined 45+ years in the legal field, so you will be in capable hands.

It’s important to us that you feel comfortable around us – we will treat you like family, and we want you to do the same. We’re in this for the long haul!

Find out more about the people of Robinson Law :

Suzanne is originally from Christchurch and is a graduate of the University of Canterbury. She started Robinson Law in Whakatāne in 1995 after she moved to Ōhope from Rotorua. She and her husband love Ōhope Beach and wanted to make the most of the beautiful coastal lifestyle and to raise their family there.

Over the years, Suzanne has gained a lot of experience in a wide range of legal areas, including family lawproperty and commercial law. She has been receiving court appointments as a lawyer for children and lawyer for people who are the subject of applications for appointment of welfare guardians and property managers for over 25 years. She also worked as a mediator in care of children cases in the days when these were facilitated by lawyers, then later under the Family Dispute Resolution service for some years. She is a member of the Family Law Section of the New Zealand Law Society.

While her two children have now grown up and left home, Suzanne understands the importance of achieving a healthy balance between work and home commitments; combining high quality professional legal service with a sense of approachability and intertwined family values.

 

I began work as a lawyer in 1993 for a small firm in Kaitaia.   That was hard to move away from but after 6 years in general practice there I moved to sunny Whakatane with my (then) young family.  I joined Robinson Law as a staff solicitor initially – then soon became a Partner then a Director here.

I enjoy working with clients to establish an action plan to achieve the best outcomes possible.  Having a good rapport with clients and an understanding of their situation and what they want to achieve is important to me.   I strive to offer good legal advice and representation to protect and advance the client’s interests.  

I have a varied workload with wide general practice experience – including:

  • Family law (I am an experienced lawyer for the child) or Employment
  • Personal law (wills, estates, powers of attorney etc.)
  • Business law and commercial law
  • Companies and Trusts  
  • Conveyancing (property and land transactions, leases, subdivisions, Maori land etc)

The only field of law I don’t undertake work in these days is criminal/police court work.   

I keep fit and like to take part in the many community opportunities to test that – including such things as Toi’s Challenge and Monty’s revenge.

 

Helen first started at Robinson Law in reception in 2004, but she is now a Registered Legal Executive with fellow status from the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives. Helen worked hard studying extramurally for four years to gain her legal executive diploma in 2009.

Helen works mostly in the estates and conveyancing areas, but she enjoys working in other areas when required.

Outside of Robinson Law, Helen is married and has three adult children and two gorgeous grandchildren Joshua and Annabelle.   She and her husband are lucky enough to live on a beautiful lifestyle block in Thornton, keeping her busy in her spare time.

 

 

Rachel joined Robinson Law in 2017 after returning to the Eastern Bay of Plenty from Christchurch.  After completing her secondary school education at Trident High School she then graduated in 2015 from Victoria University with an LLB. & BSc.  Rachel is an experienced Lawyer predominantly working in Conveyancing and Family Law.

 

Gina is our Office Manager, joining the team in April 2018.  Gina takes care of the day to day running of the office, AML Compliance, reception and providing support to the Family Law team.

Gina has a strong administrative background in Real Estate and Accounting and resides in Whakatane with her family.

 

 

Ashleigh graduated from Waikato University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Political Science, and was admitted to the bar in the Auckland High Court in 2016 upon her return from Melbourne. Originally from Hawkes Bay, Ashleigh moved to Whakatane in 2017.  Ashleigh’s areas of practice include Commercial and Property law, Wills, Trusts and Estates, Employment law and other litigation including Maori Land.  Outside of the office, Ashleigh enjoys time in the gym and the outdoors, travelling, and visiting family.

 

 

Audrey was born in Murupara and completed all of her schooling in Whakatane and has worked in law firms as a Legal Assistant/Law Clerk/Admin Support over the past 37 years.  Audrey is our Legal Administrator, who joined our team in July 2022 and who is one of the friendly faces that will greet clients when they come into our office who enjoys interacting with clients and working as part of a team.

Outside of work, Audrey enjoys Zumba, walking and gardening.

 

Gurpreet is our new Family Lawyer joining the team in October 2023. Graduating from Auckland University with an LLB. Gurpreet is thrilled to be starting her legal career in Whakatane and will be working predominantly in Family Law, she looks forward to helping clients achieve the best outcomes for their whanau and tamariki.

Daisy is a new addition to the Legal Executive Team; she successfully gained her New Zealand Diploma in Legal Executive in 2020 through Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Daisy has 4 + years of legal experience assisting in Secretarial and Court Officer roles and was excited for a change after starting her family, she now works mostly in Conveyancing and Estates and also enjoys assisting in other areas as required.

Outside of the office, Daisy enjoys spending time with her friends Whanau in the Bay of Plenty.

 

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